ECC calculations for Atkins products

[Anette]

Being pretty new to PP I have the following questions. When I read a label on an Atkins product it say 2g Atkins calculations or something like that. Explaining that this is the actual carb count that will impact insulin levels. So when I look at the label, it has 17g carbs, 7 grams of fibre which means I can deduct those and then... it still has 10 gr of ECC carbs right? how can they say it has 2g? there was no sugar alcohol but I dont think I could deduct that anyway? I would like to know who of the PP folks here uses Atkins bars/products and how they calculate the ECC or do you go by what the label says? thanks for clarifying.

[LisaS]

sorry, I don't use the Atkins bars/products. If I did, I'd probably count it as 10ECC because I'd rather err too high than believe the 2g and be wrong. Maybe if you go to the Atkins site there is a clear explanation of the labeling and/or how "2g Atkins Calculations" is actually derived.

On non-Atkins products, where there are sugar alcohols on the label I generally count 1/2 of them in my ECC reckoning. But the only time that comes up for me anymore is on ice cream products :)

[Cinnamon Blue]

This might help you:
http://www.atkins.com/company/press-release/breakthrough-science-advances-atkins-net-carb-labeling-claims-on-food-products/?searchterm=net%20carbs

Basically the 2g net carbs are 'Atkins net carbs'.

If you are doing PP, subtract the fibre from the total carbs to get the ECC, as Lisa suggested.

[maxlharris]

Atkins Nutritionals subtracts glycerine and sugar alcohols from the carb count. This is reasonably acceptable practice, I guess, though I know a lot of people who report stalling with glycerine not being counted. I dunno if it provokes insulin response, but it has something about it that doesn't work for a lot of people.

FWIW: Shakes are generally okay (if the carb count is right), bars are generally junk food (even when the carb count is right). I have a bar that I like, but all things considered, it's better if I look at it as a treat rather than food. And since it took a long time to get past looking at it like flavored linoleum, we're a long way from it being a treat in any real sense of the word.

[Mitra]

And since it took a long time to get past looking at it like flavored linoleum, we're a long way from it being a treat in any real sense of the word.That sounds like the bars I tried when I first started PP :lol:. The experience didn't motivate me to work at including them in my diet!

[tapper47]

I generally look at frankenfoods as not eligible to eat.

I try not to eat processed foods much at all and try to keep my eating of only whole foods.

Butter, eggs, meat, some cheeses, whole dairy, fresh vegetables, etc.

[Relief]

The ATkins bars without sugar alcohols contain a LOT of glycerine, which is subtrated to get the 2 net carbs figure.

anecdotally, some diabetics have reported ( on atkins bb's and elswhere) some dangerously high blood sugar spikes ( they know because they have access to testing supplies) after eating a glycerine laced protein bar, thinking that it was safe due to that label.

YMMV: just be careful and note your response.

[gitfiddle]

Anette, I after a few years and many discussions on this board, I have come to the conclusion that those bars are for dire emergencies only. I can carry one in the bottom of my music bag for many months and it tastes like it was fresh off the shelf. :p I haven't bought one in two years. When I stopped using them for "snacks" I found my craving level went way down. :suspicious: I'm better off with a handful of walnut meats. Your body may react differently.

Did you know there are recipes for snack bars in our archives? All kinds of them!

[Anette]

thanks for all the info. I put the bars in my deepfreezer, paid too much for them to throw them away. I was always wondering what the heck they put in those bars anyway? have a great day everyone.

[hawk]

Anette,my mother cuts them into four pieces and uses them as a curb for cravings. But only 1/4 at a time.

[Viking Dan]

I'd say you're better off with a Lindt 85% cacao chocolate bar than any of the low carb bars.

[Karole]

Ohhhhh yesssss !! Love those things. I keep a supply on hand at all times and one little square , when allowed to melt on the tongue, will satisfy to the utmost. At least it does for me.

Like others, I tried the Atkins bars but frankly they cost way to much and Maxs' description of it tasting like linoleum was a pretty good one.

If they indeed do raise the blood sugars of diabetics, then it is certainly a disservice to tout them as low carb. IMHO anyway. I've read of others on this board that went into stalls when eating them and I quit buying them a long time ago.

There are so many really good home made protein bars that I choose them a hundred times over any commercially concocted bars. In fact, we are traveling to KY. next week end and I am planning to make the chocolate-coconut bars to take in case I need some extra protein . (You never know when you are out and about just what foods will be available .)

I think you made an excellent choice to freeze the things. Maybe like Hawk suggested one fourth at a time would not do any harm and you would eventually get rid of them.

But as Viking Dan suggested, try the Lindt 85% cocao and see how great they are with no weird ingredients.

All the best in your quest. Karole