The real meaning of "Net Carbs" is "read the nutritional info to find
out what's really in this."

The problem is that "Net Carbs" does not have a standard definition.
Some products subtract fiber from total carbs and call the result Net
Carbs. Subtracting fiber is correct in the context of diabetes; AIUI
fiber has no (or essentially no) effect on blood glucose.

BUT

some products also subtract sugar alcohols to get "Net Carbs." The
label almost always claims that "sugar alcohols have a minimal impact on
blood sugar level." DON'T BELIEVE IT.

Different people react differently to sugar alcohol. Some people
process them just fine, and for them the sugar alcohols have to be
included in carb counts. For others the sugar alcohols don't get
processed until they ferment. This keeps them (AIUI) from raising blood
glucoe much, but it can cause intestinal problems.

The effects also depend on which sugar alcohol. My meter tells me that
maltitol, one of the most common sugar alcohols, might as well be flour
as far as my body is concerned. Other alcohols don't raise my BG much.

I think there's a tradeoff he if a particular sugar alcohol doesn't
raise your BG much, it's going to ferment, which makes intestinal
distress more likely.

YMMV. Believe your meter.

Rob and Jami wrote:
> I keep hearing about net carbs.. it will say 9g net carbs on a box.. but on
> the nutritional info it says 18g... what is this??? I have gestational
> diabetes, not too familiar with all this. TIA.
>
> --
> Jami
> Momma to:
> Jordan 07.30.01
> EDD 08.21.04
>
>