Full Version: Net carbs or sugar?
Low Carb Discussion Forum > All Things Livin' La Vida Low-Carb > What's Your Questions About Livin' La Vida Low-Carb?
Hi all I'm sorry to bother you guys with what may very well be a stupid question. I'm semi-new to the Atkins, at least in the dedicated sense. I tried last year, then quit, and once again earlier this year. I'm trying again though, and I'm reading the book for the first time. One thing that I'm confused about though is the sugar count in diet products. I know I should avoid sugar as much as possible, but I was wondering about diet drinks or salad dressing that are low carb, but have sugar. Some diet teas are about 3-4 carbs per bottle, but have 1-2g of sugar in them. A salad dressing I like has 1 carb per serving, but also 1g of sugar per serving. Are these okay on induction, or am I meant to cut out any and every source of sugar?
No bother!!! And no "stupid questions" here!! If you need an answer the question isn't stupid!!!
I only look at the "sugar" count, maybe, to decide one product against another.
ALL non-fiber carbs end up as glucose and that's what matters....products that have equal carb totals and fiber totals but lower "sugar" simply have higher "starch". Starch is simply a complex sugar, and is broken down to glucose when you eat it.
Try avoiding processed foods. If you want tea, buy the tea bags. For dressings, read the label...the ingredients. Avoid products with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), but otherwise look at the total count.
I only look at the "sugar" count, maybe, to decide one product against another.
ALL non-fiber carbs end up as glucose and that's what matters....products that have equal carb totals and fiber totals but lower "sugar" simply have higher "starch". Starch is simply a complex sugar, and is broken down to glucose when you eat it.
Try avoiding processed foods. If you want tea, buy the tea bags. For dressings, read the label...the ingredients. Avoid products with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), but otherwise look at the total count.
MLynn I just noticed this is your first post!! Welcome to the forum!!
Welcome, MLynn!
I agree with CindySue! When I choose food products I look for a combination of highest fat content, lowest carb content, and least amount of processed sugar (sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, etc.)
Then I just count the carbs as carbs.
That is just my way though.
I agree with CindySue! When I choose food products I look for a combination of highest fat content, lowest carb content, and least amount of processed sugar (sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, etc.)
Then I just count the carbs as carbs.
That is just my way though.
| QUOTE (MLynn @ Sep 20 2007, 02:43 AM) |
| Hi all I'm sorry to bother you guys with what may very well be a stupid question. I'm semi-new to the Atkins, at least in the dedicated sense. I tried last year, then quit, and once again earlier this year. I'm trying again though, and I'm reading the book for the first time. One thing that I'm confused about though is the sugar count in diet products. I know I should avoid sugar as much as possible, but I was wondering about diet drinks or salad dressing that are low carb, but have sugar. Some diet teas are about 3-4 carbs per bottle, but have 1-2g of sugar in them. A salad dressing I like has 1 carb per serving, but also 1g of sugar per serving. Are these okay on induction, or am I meant to cut out any and every source of sugar? |
The "rule of thumb" is that sugar should not be one of the first 3 or 4 ingredients, and the carb count should be 2 or less per serving.
If a product contains high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup solids, I simply won't eat it.
For example, I lost all my weight, and keep it off, with Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing...
Also, don't think of food as a "diet product"... try to get the most real food you can!
Eliminate as many chemicals as you can in your food, too!
Thank you all so much for your responses! And thank you for the welcome! It's sort of overwhelming, starting this whole new way of eating, at least correctly this time. 
I checked the dressing I had and the second ingredient is high fructose corn syrup, so I'm probably going to trash it. I'm so used to low fat, I'm still at the point where I have to remember to read the ingredients list. Are there any dressings anyone can recommend? I can't have Splenda, so most of the low carb dressings are off limits for me.
I checked the dressing I had and the second ingredient is high fructose corn syrup, so I'm probably going to trash it. I'm so used to low fat, I'm still at the point where I have to remember to read the ingredients list. Are there any dressings anyone can recommend? I can't have Splenda, so most of the low carb dressings are off limits for me.
Hidden Valley Ranch, Paul Newman Oil & Vinegar, Kraft Roka Blue Cheese, Marie's... those are what we use.
HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH is DA BOMB! It's all I ever use anymore. That and my own homemade vinegar and oil blends. Welcome to my forum, MLynn! It's good to have you here and I hope you make yourself at home. 
I like Marie's and Litehouse. There's another brand that I used to buy, but I can't think of the name. If I do, I'll come back and post it.
The Litehouse Ultra Premium Big Bleu has 17 gm fat/2 tablespoons. The other blues in their line have 16 gm fat. (Except the Lite version. Avoid that one.)
The Litehouse Ranch is also good at 12 gm fat/2 tablespoons.
The dressings in the refrigerated produce area seem to be much higher in fat and lower in carbs (and better in taste) than the ones in the dry goods area.
The Litehouse Ultra Premium Big Bleu has 17 gm fat/2 tablespoons. The other blues in their line have 16 gm fat. (Except the Lite version. Avoid that one.)
The Litehouse Ranch is also good at 12 gm fat/2 tablespoons.
The dressings in the refrigerated produce area seem to be much higher in fat and lower in carbs (and better in taste) than the ones in the dry goods area.
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