Net Carbs - BS?

[thatsright]

In theory, if you subtract the fiber from a particular food, from the carbs then thats the 'net-carb' your body digests. Correct? I eat Victory bars which have 28 carbs, but 20 g of fiber. Soi, in theory, I only take a 8gb carb hit on my low carb diet.....?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Yes, that's essentially correct.

 

[deadken]

Yes. Fiber is beneficial and while it is a carb, shouldn't be avoided (IMHO). The worst thing about fiber (for me) is the amount of gas it can cause.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Yes. Fiber is beneficial and while it is a carb, shouldn't be avoided (IMHO). The worst thing about fiber (for me) is the amount of gas it can cause.

Fiber, in its very definition, is indigestible. It is not a carbohydrate in the sense that it can be broken down and metabolized for energy. It essentially bulks stool and aids with gastrointestinal motility.

 

[Raghu]

^ Some fibers can be digested by gut bacteria. Also fiber slows digestion and absorption. So larger amounts of carbs reach gut bacteria - which again leads to farts.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

^ Some fibers can be digested by gut bacteria. Also fiber slows digestion and absorption. So larger amounts of carbs reach gut bacteria - which again leads to farts.

I'm talking about your own system and derivation of energy to you as an organism. Yes, gut flora can metabolize certain types of fiber.

 

[PenguinPower]

I'm talking about your own system and derivation of energy to you as an organism. Yes, gut flora can metabolize certain types of fiber.

I thought soluble fiber provided some energy...like 2cal/g.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I thought soluble fiber provided some energy...like 2cal/g.

You may be mistaking that for sugar alcohols. Soluble fiber can be broken down by bacteria into fatty acids, but I'm not sure that it's a predictable amount.

 

[Raghu]

I was just trying to explain his farts

 

[deadken]

I was the one who talked about the gas, not the OP.

My sister offered me a fiber one bar as she held out the box, I said "oh, fart bars". And she looked at me in amazement. She had been having terrible gas and never attributed it to the bars she was eating (one a day in order to make sure she reached the USRDA).

Now, my understanding is that there are certain enzymes needed to break down certain fibers. Products like 'beano' will help your body break down the food. Of course, the enzymes pass out of your system at the same time as the food. It is my understanding that fiber does not slow digestion. I believe that it speeds up mobility (as SC so perfectly described) which I believe is the reason for the reduced absorption.

Back to the OP: I told my friend at work that the beneficial aspects of fiber cancels out the negative effects of some of the carbs he was so desperately avoiding (Atkins diet). He couldn't believe how many carbs I ate and yet stayed pretty slim. I told him that if he avoided almost all of those refined / over-refined foods he could likely enjoy some carbs. IE: A real whole grain dark bread in place of 2 slices of 'Wonder' bread, etc... The idea of fiber cancelling out a sugar one-for-one (net carbs) seems to be pretty well accepted.

 

[alkemyst]

It's all calories in versus out in the end of this debate.

 

[deadken]

It's all calories in versus out in the end of this debate.

Ummm.... Not really. I'm not sure that I'm part of the 'debate', but certainly certain diets (IE: Atkins, etc) suggest that carbs are a major enemy and should be avoided at all costs. I seem to remember a promotion saying you could eat as much as you'd like (a big deal for someone looking to join a certain diet).

As a big fiber guy, I can't imagine not eating any / many carbs. For people like me, I don't really care about calories. It's all about the percentages of the USRA I'm eating in my portions as well as the ingredients the product is made with.

My aunt used a low carb diet to lose weight. When a family member asked her about it, she stated that she liked the diet, but hated how constipated it made her. My point being, here is another example of someone using a low carb diet, in which fiber can certainly be more important than calories.

 

[alkemyst]

Ummm.... Not really. I'm not sure that I'm part of the 'debate', but certainly certain diets (IE: Atkins, etc) suggest that carbs are a major enemy and should be avoided at all costs. I seem to remember a promotion saying you could eat as much as you'd like (a big deal for someone looking to join a certain diet).

As a big fiber guy, I can't imagine not eating any / many carbs. For people like me, I don't really care about calories. It's all about the percentages of the USRA I'm eating in my portions as well as the ingredients the product is made with.

My aunt used a low carb diet to lose weight. When a family member asked her about it, she stated that she liked the diet, but hated how constipated it made her. My point being, here is another example of someone using a low carb diet, in which fiber can certainly be more important than calories.

Diets that rely on excluding all carbs are using ketosis to shed weight. It's really effective, but not a long term diet strategy.

Fiber is a carbohydrate.

You have to eat properly, but the only thing that matters is calories in versus out.

Many people that try to avoid carbs have very little stamina in the gym and other sports.

This is dated but still applicable: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/glen12.htm

 

[deadken]

.... Fiber is a carbohydrate....

I know that fiber is a carb. The OP knows it and I think everyone who posted in this thread knows it. Essentially, the question was: does a gram of fiber count as a carb or cancel out a carb.

.... the only thing that matters is calories in versus out...

I still disagree with your philosophy in general, but I don't want to continue an OT discussion in this thread. Please feel free to PM me if you'd like to continue having a discussion about this. I do find it interesting, but don't think it is appropriate here.