Apart from pills, are there any foods that work to effectively "neutralize" the effects of carbs?

No, despite the reputation celery got somewhere as a "negative calorie" food.
You can burn them off with vigorous exercise. Long distance runners tend to be very lean, since they are burning up all the carbs. But this is something few people have the time, inclination, and stamina to do.
I used to eat 300-400 carbs a day, exercised an hour and a half a day, and still couldn't burn them all off.
Food for thought.

Some pills claim that kidney beans and high fiber can help block carbs. From what I understand they don't work and just lead to gas and other fun things.

Another thing to remember is if anything can block carbs, it also probably blocks nutrients from entering the system. Vitamins and nutrients would go unabsorbed like can happen if you take your fiber around meal time.

I actually just finished trying the Carbolix not long ago, and it was not a miracle drug! I think some days it helped me not gain, while I ate more carbs. I know theres other carb blockers out there. This is the only one Ive tried, and until I find someone with proof they actually work, I dont think I will get anymore.

Protein, however, will slow the asorption of carbs into the bloodstream. So always have some protein available when indulging in carbs.

Black57

For good carbs like a 1/2 apple I try to eat a bit of cheddar with it.

As for the out of "package carbs", what works best is leave them in their package, LOL sorry could'nt resist it 8>)

I have'nt read where anyone has been happy with the carb blockers, some say they ended up useing it as a ticket, to eat more carbs, thus got nowwhere fast. And to think they had to pay for it. 8>)

Just follow the program and you'll do fine.
Kathy

Carbs are carbs...thus you count each and every one of them.

Besides, if you use the carb-blockers, then you are stuck paying $30 per month (or whatever they cost) for the rest of your life, or as long as you want to be thinner. Eat low carb and you will find a way to be thin without the pills, and you can spend that extra $30 on steak, chicken, cheese, or new clothing!

Thanks for all the advice -- I knew that there was no easy way out!
I am interested in food combining, though, so keeping in mind to take in protein with (good) carbs, is a good thing.

I dont think you can block them.