Net carbs–also known as digestible carbs or impact carbs–are the carbohydrates in food that you can digest and use for energy. Although, the term is a bit controversial as it's thought to have been made up by food manufacturers as a way to cash in on the low-carb craze.
The concept of net carbs is based on the principle that not all carbohydrates affect the body in the same manner. Carbohydrates can be broken down into simple carbs and complex carbs.
Simple carbohydrates (refined starches and sugars) are absorbed rapidly and have a high glycemic index, meaning they raise blood sugar and insulin levels very quickly after eating. Excess simple carbohydrates are stored in the body as fat.
Examples of simple carbs include:
- Candy
- Soda
- Milk
- Syrups
- Desserts
The sugar molecules found in complex carbohydrates form long, complex chains. Complex carbs, such as the fiber found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, move slowly through the digestive system, and much of it isn't digested at all (insoluble fiber).
Examples of complex carbs include:
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Beans
- Whole grains
Net carbs are considered to be the carbohydrates that your body digests and converts into glucose. This is why you may also see net carbs referred to as digestible carbs or impact carbs. They're said to have no effect on blood sugar levels or insulin response.
However, the term "net carbs" is not officially recognized or agreed upon by nutrition experts. In fact, there's no legal definition of net carbs, meaning the FDA has not approved any regulated information on the topic.
Although experts do not recognize the term, the practice of counting net carbs may still be beneficial to those looking to lose weight on a low-carb diet.
How do you calculate net carbs?
Thankfully, calculating net carbs is incredibly easy! No need to dust off the old college math books here, all you need is some simple subtraction skills to utilize the net carb equation.
Step 1 - Determine the Total Carbohydrate Content
Determining the total carb content is as easy as reading the nutrition label. Simply turn that box of keto-friendly cereal to its side, and look for the word "Carbohydrates." Whatever number you see followed by "g" is the total grams of carbohydrates. BOOM. We're ⅓ of the way there!
Step 2 - Subtract the Dietary Fiber Content
The dietary fiber count will be listed directly below the carbohydrate content. Subtract the grams of dietary fiber from the total grams of carbohydrates. If your product or ingredient does not contain any sugar alcohols, then this number will be your total net carbs!
If you read further down the nutrition label and see "sugar alcohols," then you'll want to continue on to step 3!
Step 3 - Subtract the Sugar Alcohol Content (if Applicable)
Last but not least, subtract the number of sugar alcohols from the difference in step 2. Finally, we have our total net carbs, aka digestible carbs, aka impact carbs...you get the picture.
EXAMPLE
Here we have the nutrition label of a keto-friendly pint of ice cream. Let's go through the label and determine the net carbs per container (far right column).
Step 1 - Determine the Total Carbohydrate Content
Total carbs per container: 38g
Dietary fiber per container: 7g
38g - 7g = 31g
Step 3 - Subtract the Sugar Alcohol Content (if Applicable)
Sugar alcohol per container: 27g
31g - 27g = 4g net carbs
So, this container of "low-carb" ice cream contains just 4g of net carbs per container, which is actually quite remarkable!
Now you're free to put this newfound skill to use on anything and everything. Hell, grab your kids and teach them how to count net carbs. Rummage through your pantry and start tossing all of the outrageously high carbohydrate-containing products directly into the trash.
You're on your way to a slimmer life, and you can thank us later. Really, it's no big deal.
The Bottom Line
While counting net carbs is a great way to begin a low-carb diet and ease your way into a healthier lifestyle, let's be honest...ice cream isn't something you should be indulging in all the time.
Plus, did you catch the number of sugar alcohols in that nutrition label above? Yeah, something about that just rubs us the wrong way. These sugar alcohols have been used in small doses for a while in American products such as chewing gum, but it isn't until recently that we've seen products utilizing sugar alcohols at this rate.
Now, we don't exactly know if this is good or bad, but we just seem to have an odd feeling in our stomach about this… and we're not the only ones. Check out the reviews on these sugar-free gummy bears.
Just be sure to keep an awareness about all of the above when reading labels on packaged foods and processed foods next time you're in the market. Try to keep your total carb intake on the lower end of the spectrum, and eat more foods high in fat.
Thankfully, we know exactly where you can get your hands on some of the most delicious low-carb snacks around. Check out our Keto-friendly Sugar-free Beef Jerky options!
Our keto-friendly beef jerky flavors are made using zero sugar, zero sugar alcohols, and naturally contain zero total carbohydrates. That's right, just simple, clean ingredients hand-crafted into delicious all-natural beef jerky.
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