Sour Cream vs Cream

[jdmays]

If sour cream is only cultured cream, why is it treated separatley during Induction?

[Desertthorn]

I hope Not2Late can come in with this answer. I was all set to tell you that the reason was because sour cream was more concentrated than cream, but then I looked and 2 T of sour cream has 1 carb and 1 T of Cream has one carb, which I think throw my theory in the drink. LOL

[chinadoll]

It may be because the chemical makeup changes with the process that makes cream into sour cream. This might make the body digest it more easily like a carbohydrate. It's the same with cheese and milk. Cheese is better because the lactose of milk (a sugar) becomes lactic acid in cheeses, so the body metabolizes it in a completely different way. I am only guessing but this makes a certain amount of sense.

[Georgiana]

What do you mean by "is treated separately"? Both cream (i.e. heavy cream) and sour cream are "Special Foods". During induction, one is allowed to have 3 ounces of heavy cream or 1 ounce of sour cream. The difference in quantity comes from the fat/lactose content of the two. While heavy cream is mostly fat -- 6 g fat to 0.4 g carbohydrate in one tbsp -- and a zero glycemic index, sour cream only has only 2 g of fat to 0.4 g of carbohydrate in one tbsp and a glycemic index of 1. As we all know, the ratio of fat to carbohydrate is very important for ketosis to set in, especially during induction.

Some other thing to consider, important only in theory though. If you look closely, you will also see that sour cream has a slightly higher carb content (8.1 g per cup compared to 6.6 g per cup in heavy cream), and those extra carbs come from lactose... which is a form of sugar. Of course, we are not eating a cup of any of these, so in a few tablespoons the carb count (exclusively) won't make a significant difference.

When you buy sour cream, also check that it doesn't have added junk in it. In Germany, I have seen sour cream whose ingredients are: cultured cream, nonfat milk solids and vegetable enzymes.

[Desertthorn]

See, I knew someone would have the answer. Thanks Georgiana

[jdmays]

Thanks,

That does make sense. I never thought to look a the ratio of sugar/lactose to fat.

I guess that goes to show that Dr. Atkins didn't just set willy nilly rules.