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Carbohydrates on food labels
With the growing craze in today's society it is important that people know the different labeling terms for carbohydrates in food labels. Food labels indicate carbohydrates in different forms such as "net carb," "low carb," and "impact carb." Each term has its own meaning and it is important that the consumers know what type of carbohydrate they are purchasing.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a list of terms and definitions that are to be associated with carbohydrates. Such terms include total carbohydrate, sugars, sugar alcohol, other carbohydrates, glycerin and glycerol. Each term indicates that carbohydrates are present in that food item even though the label may not straight out say carbohydrates.
It is terms "net carb," "low carb," and "impact carb" are not defined by the FDA. The terms were created by companies in order to make them more appealing to the customers. They appear on the labels so that the consumers do not have to sit there in the store and examine the label trying to figure out if the item is in fact a low carbohydrate item.
While sugar alcohols are a carbohydrate, the manufacturers are trying to argue that they should not be counted in the total carbohydrates. They feel that because there is a direct link to the effect on blood sugars. However, the American Dietetic Association feels that diabetics should use carbohydrate counting in relation to the sugar alcohol found in foods. That way the carbohydrates that are found in that food are accounted for.
Therefore, while sugar alcohols are no to be ignored as carbohydrates, the terms "net carb" or "impact carb" should be.
With the growing craze in today's society it is important that people know the different labeling terms for carbohydrates in food labels. Food labels indicate carbohydrates in different forms such as "net carb," "low carb," and "impact carb." Each term has its own meaning and it is important that the consumers know what type of carbohydrate they are purchasing.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a list of terms and definitions that are to be associated with carbohydrates. Such terms include total carbohydrate, sugars, sugar alcohol, other carbohydrates, glycerin and glycerol. Each term indicates that carbohydrates are present in that food item even though the label may not straight out say carbohydrates.
It is terms "net carb," "low carb," and "impact carb" are not defined by the FDA. The terms were created by companies in order to make them more appealing to the customers. They appear on the labels so that the consumers do not have to sit there in the store and examine the label trying to figure out if the item is in fact a low carbohydrate item.
While sugar alcohols are a carbohydrate, the manufacturers are trying to argue that they should not be counted in the total carbohydrates. They feel that because there is a direct link to the effect on blood sugars. However, the American Dietetic Association feels that diabetics should use carbohydrate counting in relation to the sugar alcohol found in foods. That way the carbohydrates that are found in that food are accounted for.
Therefore, while sugar alcohols are no to be ignored as carbohydrates, the terms "net carb" or "impact carb" should be.