Net carbs is equal to total grams of carbs minus grams of fiber and sugar alcohol.
Therefore, net carbs is considered a more accurate number of carbs when calculating daily macronutrients.
This article will review the difference between total and net carbs and how to calculate net carbs.
DarioGaona / Getty Images
DarioGaona / Getty Images
First, How Are Net and Total Carbs Different?
Total carbs are the total amount ofcarbohydrategrams you consume in a day.
This is the amount of carbs that do have an impact on your blood sugar.
Figuring out your daily macronutrient ratios can help you estimate your daily intake of net carbs.
This mainly includes fiber, although sugar alcohols can also impact your net carbs.
Sugar alcohols only partially increase blood sugar or do not increase blood sugar at all.
Ideally, it is best to not consume sugar alcohols.
Why Do People Calculate Net Carbs?
Calculating net carbs can help you understand the impact of the foods on blood sugar.
This helps reduce blood sugar levels and can help manage diabetes.
Verdict on Net Carbs: Are They Worth Counting?
Because they are difficult to digest, sugar alcohols may also have an impact on net carbs.
UCLA.Net carbs are carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fiber: The carb that helps you manage diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Get to know carbs.
Yale New Haven Health.Eat any sugar alcohol lately?
University of California, San Francisco: Diabetes Education Online.Counting sugar alcohols.
University of California, San Francisco: Diabetes Education Online.Understanding fiber.
American Diabetes Association.Blood glucose and exercise.
