A carb is a carb is a carb. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fiber carb or a sugar carb – if your blood sugar is spiking, avoid all the carbs.
I know, I know … this isn’t easy because it seems that everything is a carb these days. But, it is easier than you think to avoid the unhealthy, processed carbs.
There are sugar carbs, carbs in fats, carbs in grains, and carbs in fruit. It can get overwhelming.
The first thing to do is learn the difference between the carbs. Then, you can pick and choose which form of carb to eat.
Do you choose the bread or the strawberry – or neither?
Net Carbs
“Net carb” is used as a catchword for weight conscious people “watching their carb intake.” Net Carbs mean that the carbs from fiber don’t count in your total carb intake. This is a good thing if you are on a diet, but it doesn’t work the same if you are watching your blood sugar.
To determine the net carbs, you take the total carbs and subtract the amount of fiber. People with blood sugar issues must monitor all of the “total carbs” in packaged products – not just the “net carbs.”
This might be a reason that your blood sugar rises when you think that you are watching your carbs.
There is a difference between longer acting carbs (complex sugars and starches) and short response carbs (simple sugars and refined grains), and the impact they have on your blood sugar is different.
Let’s say you have a choice to eat a piece of cake (a simple carb whether baked with sugar or a diet sweetener) versus a sandwich on a soy-based, whole grain bread (long-acting carbs). Pick the sandwich, of course, because the “total complex carbs” will have less harmful glucose spikes on your body.
Total Carbs
When you are trying to naturally control your blood sugar levels, you must be very careful using products labeled with “net carbs” because these products can affect your blood sugar much like a carb load does.
“Total carbs” are what you are looking for on the label.
Many people buy “net carb” products as a source of protein and for in-between-meal snacks, believing that they are eating less total carbs. This is wrong.
Net carbs will spike your blood sugar. So, keep in mind that “net carb” products contain more carbs than most people eat in one meal. Read your labels carefully and plan your meals in a good way, but remember to watch out for the products touting “net carbs.”
A carb is a carb is a carb. You MUST watch ALL of your carbs – ALL of the time. They act just like an overload of sugar.
Heads up – be well.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and is educational in nature. The FDA may not have evaluated some of the statements. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please discuss with your own, qualified health care provider before adding supplements or making any changes to your dietary program.
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