Should I be using net carbs?

[JellyBaby21]

New T1d here. I am used to basic carb counting having done a Whole30 diet pre diagnoses for a large part of my life. But I have been reading about net carbs. Should I be using net carbs or not (just been going off the carb number on the back of packets)?

If I should be using net carbs, could somebody please explain as simply as possible how I do this? TIA

 

[Leadinglights]

The carbs you use is the carb value it says on the packet, as in the UK the fibre has already been deducted.
In the USA fiber is included in the carbs so you would need to deduct. The give away is in the spelling of fibre (UK) fiber (US)
I'm not sure about other countries.

 

[Finn]

New T1d here. I am used to basic carb counting having done a Whole30 diet pre diagnoses for a large part of my life. But I have been reading about net carbs. Should I be using net carbs or not (just been going off the carb number on the back of packets)?

If I should be using net carbs, could somebody please explain as simply as possible how I do this? TIA

My understanding is you need to look at net carbs only for foods listed in the US-style (if you're on holiday in the US or if you live there).

Foods in the UK and Europe list fibre as separate from carbs, so you can just use the carb total to base your insulin dose off of.

Foods in the US have fiber listed as a part of carbs. For these, you'll need to subtract the fiber from the total carbs to get net carbs, essentially the same thing as what shows as the total carbs on labels in the UK and Europe.

You should be able to tell whether a website or food label is using UK or US food labelling style - if they're going with the US style (where you need to subtract fiber to get net carbs), it will be spelled fibER; if they're going with UK style (where the fibre is separate and you don't need to do anything), it will be spelled fibRE.

 

[JellyBaby21]

Thank you that's really useful info and a big relief too being UK based - certainly makes carb counting easier! Will keep an eye out for the spelling of fibre from now on. Thanks again!