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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/diab-net-carbs

A package brags about 'net carbs.' What does ADA recommend using instead?

Total carbohydrate from the Nutrition Facts label.

  1. Total carbohydrate on the label ✔
  2. Sugar grams only
  3. Calories per serving

Why: 'Net carbs' has no legal definition and FDA doesn't use it. Some fiber and sugar alcohols are partly digested and can still affect blood glucose, so ADA recommends total carbs.

Huh, didn't know that: ADA says 'glycemic index' claims on packages aren't defined by FDA either.

The dad joke
Why did the snack box keep bragging about net carbs? It was fishing for compliments.
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Sources

  1. Get to Know Carbs (ADA) https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition/understanding-carbs/get-to-know-carbs
  2. Reading and Understanding Food Labels (ADA) https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition/reading-food-labels/making-sense-food-labels

Test yourself in the game

Health BasicsOn a Nutrition Facts label, what does 'Total Carbohydrate' include?Health BasicsWhen reading a Nutrition Facts label, what should you check first?Health BasicsA bag of chips has 2 servings, 11 grams of carbs each. You eat the whole bag. How many carbs?

That's stuff everyone should know.