WebMD Low Carb Products May Jeopardize Weight Loss Efforts

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> Low-Carb Products May Jeopardize Weight Loss Efforts

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> Many Low-Carb Products Contain Extra Calories, Fat

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> By Jeanie Lerche

> WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Charlotte Grayson, MD

> on Monday, May 10, 2004

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> > Email to a friend > Printer-friendly version

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> May 10, 2004 -- It's Snackwells all over again: They were low-fat so we

> wolfed them down, ignoring the high calorie count. Now, low-carb products

could

> likewise sabotage our weight loss efforts, according to a new report.

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> Low-carb versions of comfort foods -- bread, pasta, and ice cream -- often

> contain more fat and calories than regular versions, says the June issue of

> Consumer Reports.

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> According to the report, 930 low carb food products have been introduced to

> the U.S. food market in the last five years. The products are aimed at the

> growing number of Americans trying to lose weight by cutting carbs. But

there's

> a catch.

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> " Many of the low-carb food products now flooding supermarkets may in fact be

> cheating -- consumers, that is -- by undermining the weight loss they hope

> to achieve, " the report says. The FDA is scrambling to figure out how to

> address this issue.

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> Among their findings:

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> " Low-carb " labels are meaningless. In manufacturing low-carb products,

> sugars are replaced with " unnaturally high concentrations " of sugar alcohols,

> refined grains, and starches -- all of which are carbohydrates and contribute

to

> caloric intake.

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> Because these " replacement carbs " move through the small intestine without

> getting absorbed, manufacturers subtract them from the carb content. That's

> the " net carbs " number listed on the product label.

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> However, that net carbs number is based on research done with whole foods

> (like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) -- which have a very different

> composition and calorie content.

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> The original low-carb weight loss programs -- Atkins and South Beach -- work

> when people restrict carb-laden, high-calorie foods like bread, pasta, rice,

> soft drinks, potato chips, cookies, and fruits, says the report.

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> " Indeed, the very lack of availability of low-carb junk food might have been

> a boon for low-carb dieters, " the report says.

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> Here's what you can do to follow a low-carb diet and avoid the calorie

> pitfall:

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> Eat whole foods: For 40 grams of carbs a day, you could eat a half-cup of

> lentils, a cup of carrots, an orange, and a slice of light seven-grain bread

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> for a total of 274 calories.

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> Those foods contain plenty of natural fiber and lots of vitamins and

> minerals. Getting those 40 grams from low-carb snack foods might give you

1,440

> calories and few other nutrients.

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> Carefully read calorie and fat content on product labels.

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> Also, treat treats as treats, no matter what the carb count, says the

> report. Don't eat five low-carb chocolate bars in a single sitting. You

wouldn't

> eat five regular chocolate bars at one time -- or, at least, you shouldn't if

> weight loss is your goal!

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