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Carb Counting

C

C@roline

Member
Messages
16
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I have a question about carb counting. The dietitian has told me to count total carbs. Please let me know if I am wrong here, but it is my understanding that the amount of carbs indicated on the packet is the net amount of carbs, (as given on all European packaging), you would therefore then have to add the fibre to get total carbs?
 
Fibre "passes straight through" so will not affect your blood sugars.
Therefore, you can ignore it and focus on the "Total carbs" as listed on European packaging.

If you makes something from scratch and look up the carb content online (or use an app like MySugr), it pays to be aware of the source of the data. If it is USA, you will need to subtract the fiber (the hint is in the spelling) from the total carbs.
 
C@roline said:
I have a question about carb counting. The dietitian has told me to count total carbs. Please let me know if I am wrong here, but it is my understanding that the amount of carbs indicated on the packet is the net amount of carbs, (as given on all European packaging), you would therefore then have to add the fibre to get total carbs?
Click to expand...
You need to look at the total carb figure which includes the sugar content.
 
Hi Caroline,

I am not sure if you will find the information below of any use, I did so thought I would share. It is from the "American Diabetes Association" and these are their recommendations to when it comes to counting either Total or Net.

"If you have Type 1 Diabetes and do not use an insulin-to-carb ratio (ICR) or if you have Type 2 Diabetes:

Count the Total Carbohydrates listed on the Nutrition Facts Label
Do not subtract any fiber or sugar alcohols


If you have Type 1 Diabetes and use an insulin-to-carb ratio:

If fiber is AT LEAST 5g or more, you may subtract HALF the amount of fiber from the total carbohydrates
Example: If your food has 20g of total carb and 5g of fiber, you can subtract 2.5g of fiber from the total carbohydrates = 17.5g Total Carb
If your food has 20g of total carb and 4g of fiber, you don't subtract anything
If sugar alcohols are AT LEAST 10g or more, you may subtract HALF the amount of sugar alcohols from the total carbohydrates
Example: If your food has 20g of total carb and 10g sugar alcohol, you can subtract 5g of sugar alcohol from the total carbohydrates = 15g Total Carb
If your food has 20g of total carb and 8g sugar alcohol, you don't subtract anything"

I sounds complicated at first if you are indeed counting your carbs like I am, but it gets easier with practice.

Thanks
 
Hi @Matt2023

That is really interesting. Can you post a link?
I hadn't even heard of sugar alcohol on packaging labels.

Though as @C@roline lives in the UK I am guessing her dietician will be following UK conventions and therefore total carbs will be the total including sugars rather than the US total including fibre.
 
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