Do you guys count carbs as total carbs or just net carbs? I'm just wondering that in general, but I really also need to know if I should count total or if I can use net carbs when I do a low carb diet like TNT, Anabolic Diet, or even Atkins. Thanks for the help

I think total carbs include dietary fiber while net carbs just include sugars and digestible carbs. Since fiber isn't broken down and doesn't have a caloric content then you should be okay with just counting net carbs.

Yes, that's true. Net carbs are just the total carbs minus the fiber content. I was also wondering whether I should go as far as to only count insoluble fiber when subtracting from the total (if at all possible). Thanks for your opinion.

What does everyone else think?

Well it depends, why are you counting carbs?

I count carbs to help me sleep.

I don't count carbs from fibre, but I count carbs from Splenda and sugar alcohols.

Because I'm going on a low carb diet...at least that's the reason for right now...I always count my calories anyway though...it's the only way I can stay in shape (or get in shape)

Why would you count those if you don't count fiber? They don't have an insulin effect either, which is the reason why you're not counting fiber, so why count sugar alcohols...

You don't have to count fiber.

Thanks lol, a bold statement being that there's no reason. Assuming that you agree fiber is not digested and creates no insulin response? Would you agree that this goes for sugar alcohols too?

Sugar alcohols DO have an effect on insulin. It's not as high as normal carbs, but it's carbs none the less.

Also, if I'm dieting (which would presumably be the reason I'm counting calories in the first place), then I'm not about to put crap like sugar alcohols in my body. But if I do as part of a cheat meal or refeed, then those suckers are definitely being counted. Whereas I'm not concerned with my total broccoli consumption.

Nice one

Fiber isn't digested the same way as starches and sugars, therefore, it doesn't have as many "available carbs" as starches and sugars, but I count all carbs, regardless of what they are comprised of. I give some carbs "half weight" depending on what they are so I can calculate super accurate bolus doses of insulin. Therefore, I am really careful when I read the nutrition breakdown, because they don't always give you the "real" story. You have to read the ingredients, too

I don't know if other diabetics do the same thing with fiber or not. I think most Type 1 diabetics are taught to subtract the fiber count (if it's over 5g) from the total carb count, but I've never done that. It seems to work for me.

As jaim91 mentioned, sugar alcohols really do affect blood glucose levels (which increases insulin production in non-diabetics). Maltilol syrups are anywhere from 48-53 on the GI scale. Maltilol is 36. Xylitol is 13. Sorbitol and isomalt are 6. If you're diabetic, sugar alcohols absolutely have to be factored in.

I don't directly count either. I eat the appropriate amount of protein and fats then fill in the rest of my calories with carbs

I think that ALL carbs should be counted.

Carbs are the first thing that we should be concerned about. Some think that eating all the fruit you want is good, but it has carbs. Some experts say, "but it has good carbs!"

But the bottom line is still the bottom line. When you look at your carb graph, it still goes up when you consume a lot of fruit or other related carbs.

Keeping the carbs to a limit especially at night will go a long way in helping you keep that excess weight off.

I think you should count the CALORIES of everything, but subtract the insoluble fibre. So 10 cups of broccoli a day adds up to bunch of calories, but in my mind, few carbs.