Net Carbs vs Total Carbs: Essential Guide for Parents of Children on the Ketogenic Diet for Epilepsy

Introduction

When your child follows the ketogenic diet as part of their epilepsy treatment, understanding the difference between net carbs and total carbs is crucial. This distinction can be confusing, especially when food labeling varies by country. In this post, we’ll break down the differences between net and total carbs, why it matters for the ketogenic diet, and how to read food labels accurately.

What Are Total Carbs?

Total carbohydrates refer to all carbohydrates in a product, including sugars, fiber, and sugar alcohols. They are usually listed first on nutrition labels and give you the full picture of the carb content.
However, not all carbs are processed by the body in the same way. Fiber and certain sugar alcohols don’t impact blood sugar the same way sugars and digestible carbs do. That’s where net carbs come in.

What Are Net Carbs?

Net carbs are the carbohydrates that actually affect blood sugar levels, which is key for maintaining ketosis. To calculate net carbs, you subtract the grams of fiber and certain sugar alcohols (like erythritol) from the total carbs.

• Formula: Net Carbs = Total Carbs – Fiber – Sugar Alcohols
  By focusing on net carbs, you ensure that your child stays within the carb limits necessary for maintaining ketosis, which helps manage epilepsy.
  

Why Are Net Carbs Important on the Ketogenic Diet?

For children on the ketogenic diet, staying in ketosis is crucial to managing epileptic seizures. Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body uses fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates, and net carbs are the best measure of how much digestible carb intake your child is consuming.
Tracking net carbs rather than total carbs helps avoid unnecessary restrictions while still keeping your child’s diet within safe limits.

Differences in Food Labeling by Country

Food labeling regulations vary across the world, and this can create confusion, especially for parents trying to manage their child’s ketogenic diet. In many countries, net carbs are clearly labeled, while in others, such as the United States, only total carbs are listed. This can make it harder to determine how many net carbs a product contains.

• Tip: When in doubt, subtract the grams of fiber and sugar alcohols from the total carbs to find net carbs yourself.

How to Read Food Labels Accurately

Reading food labels is a skill every parent of a child on the ketogenic diet should master. Here’s what to look for:

• Total Carbohydrates: This is the total carb content, including sugars, fiber, and starch.
• Dietary Fiber: Subtract this from total carbs to get closer to the net carb count.
• Sugar Alcohols: Not all sugar alcohols are created equal. Subtract certain ones, like erythritol, but avoid doing so with maltitol as it can still impact blood sugar.

Common Mistakes When Calculating Net Carbs

• Overlooking Sugar Alcohols: Some sugar alcohols do affect blood sugar, so double-check which ones you’re subtracting.
• Not Counting Hidden Sugars: Some products, especially processed foods, may list added sugars separately, which can affect your net carb count.

Countries Where Net Carbs Are Labeled

Countries in the European Union, Canada, and Australia often include net carbs on packaging, making it easier to manage the diet. In contrast, in the United States, most labels focus on total carbs, so you may need to do the math yourself.

Top Tips for Managing Net Carbs on the Ketogenic Diet

1. Keep it Simple: Whole foods like vegetables, meats, and oils are naturally low in carbs, eliminating the need to worry about hidden carbs on labels.
2. Use Keto-Friendly Apps: Many apps allow you to scan barcodes and track net carbs for thousands of products.
3. Prepare Meals at Home: Cooking at home gives you full control over ingredients and portion sizes, making it easier to manage your child’s carb intake.
4. Stay Consistent: Small changes in carb intake can affect ketosis, so it’s important to stay vigilant, especially with new foods.

Conclusion: Make Informed Choices for Your Child’s Ketogenic Diet

Understanding the difference between net carbs and total carbs is a key part of managing your child’s ketogenic diet for epilepsy. By learning how to calculate net carbs and carefully reading food labels, you can help your child stay in ketosis and reduce the risk of seizures. Remember, while food labels differ from country to country, the principles of calculating net carbs remain the same.