Imagine carbohydratesCarbohydrates, often called carbs for short, are organic molecules that your body uses for energy. They’re one type of fuel the body can use for energy. Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, hence the name “carbohydrate”… Read More are like a puzzle with two types of pieces:

1. Pieces that fit together easily: These are digestible carbs that your body quickly breaks down into sugarIn everyday terms, sugar refers to the sweet, crystalline substance we add to coffee, bake into cakes, or find naturally in fruits. But from a scientific perspective, sugar encompasses a broader category of molecules called carbohydrates. These are the body’s… Read More for energy. Examples include sugar, white bread, and white rice.
2. Pieces that don’t fit well: These are indigestible carbs, like fiberImagine your digestive system as a river, carrying essential nutrients to every corner of your body. Fiber acts like a gentle current, helping to move things along smoothly and efficiently. It’s the indigestible part of plant foods that your body… Read More and some sugar alcohols. They pass through your body without being fully absorbedAbsorption refers to the process of how your body takes in nutrients from the food you eat. Imagine it like a gateway that allows the broken-down bits of your food to pass from your digestive system into your bloodstream, where… Read More, having minimal impact on blood sugarBlood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is a type of simple sugar circulating in your bloodstream. It can be a primary source of energy for your cells. Your body can get blood sugar from carbohydrates that you eat. The… Read More levels.

Net carbs are like focusing only on the puzzle pieces that fit together easily. It is a method of calculating the carbohydrates that actually affect your bloodBlood is the life force coursing through your veins and arteries, delivering vital oxygen and nutrients to every cell in your body while whisking away waste products. It’s a complex, dynamic fluid—not just a simple red liquid. Consider it a… Read More sugar levels and that your body can use for energy.

What are Net Carbs?

Net carbs refer to the total amount of digestible carbohydrates in a food or meal. To calculate net carbs, you subtract the fiber and a portion of the sugar alcohols (if present) from the total carbohydrate content.

Formula: Net Carbs = Total Carbohydrates – Fiber – (Sugar Alcohols / 2)

Etymology and Origins:

• Net: From the Latin word “nītidus,” meaning “clean” or “pure.” In this context, it refers to the carbs that are actually absorbed and utilized by your body.
• Carbs: Short for carbohydrates, are the primary source of energy for your body.

The term “net carbs” is relatively recent, emerging in the late 20th centuryA century is a period of 100 years. Examples: • The 21st Century: The years 2000 to 2099. • The 19th Century: The years 1800 to 1899. • The 8th Century BC: The years 800 BC to 701 BC. Etymology:… Read More with the rise of low-carb diets.

Net Carbs in Everyday Life:

• Nutrition Labels: “The nutrition label on this bread lists 20 grams of carbohydrates, but only 15 grams of net carbs after subtracting the fiber.”
• Keto Diet: “People on the ketogenic diet1. Simple Definition: Imagine your body is like a hybrid car with two fuel tanks: one for gasoline (sugar) and one for electricity (ketones). The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is like switching your car’s engine to run primarily on… Read More often track their net carb intake to maintain ketosisA Deep Dive into the Metabolic State Transforming Health and Wellness Imagine your body as a hybrid car, capable of running on two distinct fuel sources: gasoline (carbohydrates) and electricity (fat). Ketosis is like switching your body’s engine from gasoline… Read More.”
• DiabetesDiabetes is a chronic condition where your body struggles to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels. Glucose is like fuel for your cells, and it comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by your pancreas, acts like a… Read More Management: “Individuals with diabetes may use net carbs to better manage their blood sugar levels.”

Net Carbs and Metabolism:

Net carbs are directly related to your body’s metabolismImagine your body as a bustling factory. In this factory, “metabolize” is the process of taking raw materials (like food) and transforming them into usable products (like energy). It’s the complex network of chemical reactions that sustains living things, ensuring… Read More because they are the carbohydrates that are absorbed and metabolized to provide energy. Indigestible carbs like fiber don’t get broken down and therefore don’t significantly impact your blood sugar levels or energy production.

Net Carbs and Ketosis:

Net carbs play a critical role in achieving and maintaining ketosis, a metabolic state where your body primarily burns fatFat, a macronutrient essential for life, has been both revered and vilified throughout history. It’s a source of energy, a protector of organs, and a carrier of essential vitamins. Yet, it’s also associated with obesity, heart disease, and other health… Read More for fuel instead of carbohydrates. By restricting net carbs, you force your body to switch to using ketonesKetones, organic compounds produced by the liver, are the unsung heroes of energy metabolism, stepping in when glucose, the body’s primary fuel, becomes scarce. Think of them as a reserve power generator, kicking into gear when the main power supply… Read More, moleculesImagine tiny building blocks that come together to form everything around you, from water to air to your own body! A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by strong forces called chemical bonds. Think of… Read More derived from fat, as its main energy source.

Research on Net Carbs:

Despite the fact that low-carb communities frequently use the concept of net carbs, some researchers and healthcare professionals still question its applicability.

Additional Information:

• Synonyms: Digestible carbs, impact carbs
• Foods High in Net Carbs: Sugar, white flour products, processed foods, sugary drinks.
• Foods Low in Net Carbs: Non-starchy vegetables, nuts, seeds, meat, fish, eggs.