 Re: Carbs vs. NET Carbs on Induction? Confused and need help | |
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Originally Posted by msanjelpie  I don't trust net carbs... especially in things like the Atkins bars etc... people eat them and then don't lose - I think it's because of the whole 'net carb' thing... | The carbs in the Atkins bars are mostly sugar alcohols, so different individuals metabolize them to a different degree. This is one of the reasons why they stall some people. Another is the chemicals they contain, to which many folks have an intolerance.
Dr. Atkins was aware of this issue, which is why he was not a big supporter of these products and recommended eating whole, natural, minimally processed foods instead.  Quote: |
Net carbs are Carbs minus fiber. But what if you are constipated and the fiber stays in your system? This was always something I wondered about...
| Carbohydrate digestion does not happen in the rectum, nor in the colon. The amylase starts doing its job in your mouth and this job continues as saccharides are further broken down in your stomach and small intestine. The easiness with which these sugar molecules are digested depends on their complexity. All mono- and disaccharides will have an effect on your blood sugar. Polysaccharides on the other hand can only be broken down into smaller bits (to be then converted into glucose) if they have a special kind of bond between the 6C units. This is where the difference between polysaccharides like starch and dietary fiber comes into play. 6C units in polysaccharides can be connected via an alpha linkage or via a beta linkage. Humans have the enzymes necessary to break down alpha bonds, but not beta glycosidic bonds. Dietary fibers have beta glycosidic bonds, hence they cannot be broken down into smaller sugar units and will not increase your blood sugar levels.
Soluble dietary fiber will undergo fermentation in the colon and, because a chemical reaction takes place, there will be some change in enthalpy, which means soluble dietary fiber contributes with calories to one's diet (less than other saccharides though). However, the products of fermentation are not sugars, so there will be no negative impact on blood sugar.
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"The truth is that temptation lurks everywhere, unless you deny yourself a social and working life and the attendant pleasures of eating out. I believe that the best way to overcome temptation is not with willpower, which is so often in short supply, but with our brain power, a potentially unlimited resource.
Imagine that you're doing great, losing weight, feeling better than ever, thrilled with yourself, hearing compliments from friends and acquaintances---and then it happens! Despite all your good intentions, you're mightily tempted by a food you're not supposed to have. What to do? I'll tell you this: You'd better have a strategy ready!"
(Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, Chapter 19)
Last edited by Georgiana; May 13th, 2009 at 09:33 AM.
Reason: adding definite articles :)
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