After being uncomfortable for a while (even though I was using 2 TBSP of Wheat Bran daily) I finally went out and bought sugar-free Metamucil. I've seen posts about this topic, but am still confused.

Per tsp:
20 Calories
Total Carbs: 5g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
---Soluble Fiber: 2g

I think the 2g of soluble fiber are actually part of the dietary fiber total but it's not really clear. Do I now have to count 2 grams of carbs for every tsp I take? Since Atkins recommends 1 TBSP daily (3 tsps) I will be using up 6g carbs just for the Metamucil?? This will leave me with only 14g carbs left for the rest of my meals. Is this possibly correct??

I had no idea when I bought it and certainly will NOT buy it again if this is the case, but it's done now and I just want to know how to count it. Next time around, I'll buy pure psyllium husks at the health food store!!

Julie

Julie, unfortunately, you have to count the 5g of carbs. Those other carbs have been presubtracted from the total. I know, it's confusing

The best way to figure it out when you're not sure is to do the math.

1g of carbs = 4 calories. 5x4=20 calories.

(1g of protein = 4 calories / 1g of fat = 9 calories, FYI).

I'd definitely stick with the psyllium in the future if you're worried about the numbers.

Nat

Nat-- I beg to differ. I think some of the carbs come from the maltodextrin filler.... other ingredients listed, so I really think it's 2 net carbs.

Potato, it contains 20 calories, it has to come from carbs if there's nothing else listed (0g fat / 0g protein) because of how these things are tested (by difference for carbs).

I take a generic form of SF metamucil and this is what is listed on mine as well.

Nat

Here's a post by Do with the exact numbers for this product:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...ucil#post550752

Nat

Thank you for the link. It looks like I count 1.6 carbs per tsp which is less than the 2 carbs I was thinking I counted. Since 3.4 grams of the carbs come from fiber which we can subtract to get net carbs, this makes complete sense to me now!!

Thanks for the help, somehow I missed that post completely when I searched!!

Julie

I normally take a rounded tablespoon of sugarfree Metamucil before bed. I'll be taking less now that I realize I'm probably consuming 20 carbs right before bed.

Janice

What about the capsules?? I take those every day!! They say somethign like 3 carbs & 3 fiber... isn't that 0?

The thing that makes Metamucil work is psyllium husks (read the label). I buy plain psyllium husks with no added flavor or sweetener at the GNC (sold as a "colon cleanser"). They have .5 ECC per tablespoon and they also have the added advantage of not making you consume artificial flavors.