Carb counts from various sources

[DiL]

Hello again--another newbie question!

We are trying sooo hard to be exact in our net carb count, but have been confused and somewhat frustrated. We find so much inconsistancy from various sources such as Atkins books (which don't have everything we need) a comprehensive carb counter we purchased, online sources, and FitDay. Who do we believe?? Sometimes the difference is quite a bit, sometimes only a little. We are trying to be VERY precise these first few weeks while we are learning. We have even been weighing our food in grams!

Any insight? What do you all use for carb counters??

Thanks yet again,
Diana

Down 10 lbs, was 11lbs yesterday ;{

[Georgiana]

If there is nutritional info on the package, then I go by that; it is likely to be more accurate than an average nutritional info that you find in something like the USDA database. If there is no nutritional info (for e.g., for fresh veggies), then I check the USDA database.

BTW, the numbers in FitDay are the same as in the USDA database.

[Elizellen]

Here is a link to the USDA database where you can search online
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/

or you can download the info here for use when not online
Nutrient Data Products and Services

[mizski]

Originally Posted by DiL

We are trying sooo hard to be exact in our net carb count, but have been confused and somewhat frustrated.

My take on Dr. Atkins' instructions with the Induction food list is that it was designed to make things somewhat simple. And I think it works very well if people are using the whole foods he intended (i.e., fresh veggies, meats, poultry, fish, eggs, etc.).

I also weigh my veggies (in ounces) and enter that in FitDay. It is not a scientifically precise carb measurement but it is good enough. Given that Dr. Atkins instructs us to have 3 cups of veggies, I think he realized that the exact carb measurement would not be perfect.

I use FitDay to count and track everything. With things like produce, eggs or meats/poultry/fish I use the listings there. With foods with product labels (like cheese or salad dressing), I enter those in as custom foods from that nutritional label.

It looks like you and your husband are off to a great start. I don't think you have to agonize over a teeny variance in the net carbs in veggies though.

[atkinsgal08]

>>If there is nutritional info on the package, then I go by that; it is likely to be more accurate>>

Actually, that's the least accurate! Labels are allowed to round.

Take heavy cream for example ... the label says 0 carbs ... however, a cup has 6.6 net carbs, so the Tbs. on the package that says 0 is actually 0.4125 net carbs.

The thing to do is to find a source you like ... and stick with it. Fitday uses the USDA ... so it's reliable (even though I have found a few Fitday entries that didn't make sense) ... and then you can always check with the USDA.

>>With foods with product labels (like cheese>>

Cheese is another one of those "labels" that is generally incorrect.

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by atkinsgal08

>>If there is nutritional info on the package, then I go by that; it is likely to be more accurate>>

Actually, that's the least accurate! Labels are allowed to round.

Take heavy cream for example ... the label says 0 carbs ... however, a cup has 6.6 net carbs, so the Tbs. on the package that says 0 is actually 0.4125 net carbs.

In Europe, we are not rounding carbs. All nutritional facts on the package are given for 100 g (or 100 mL), and they are usually precise to one decimal place.

[atkinsgal08]

>>In Europe, we are not rounding carbs. All nutritional facts on the package are given for 100 g (or 100 mL), and they are usually precise to one decimal place.>>

True.

However, that's not what happens in the United States!

So to say that the nutritional information on the package is "more accurate" ... guess there should have been a disclaimer ... not in the United States!