Thread: Fiber and calories

you sure you got the serving size correct?

I would count the calories from fiber, but would not count the grams in terms of overall carb content. For example, if a serving has 10 grams of carbs overall and 5 grams of fiber, I would only count that as 5 overall carbs. However, I would calculate the calories as 10 grams*4 cal/gram=40 calories.

I would count the Fiber from any grains, cereals, bread.. not veggies

positive I got the serving size right,
Per:1/2 a cup
Calories 110
fat 1G
Carbs 24G (15G of fiber)
Protein 2G

anyone else have this problem with fitday?

Yup, I do as well. I don't know why it's doing that.

Originally Posted by Tom_B

I use Fitday to keep track of everythign I eat, so when I went out and bought some Fibre 1 I had to make a new custom food thingy.
anyways when I put in the nutrition information it would allow me to have it as 110 calories (what the box says), it said it should noly be 53 calories because you have to follow this formula to calculate calories:
fat x 9, Protein x 4 and (carbs-fiber) x 4
So are you not suppos to be counting calories from fiber?
lol hope that made sense

the fitday formula is correct. you don't count fiber

Then the nutrional label on the box is incorrect?

Actually now that I think about it, it does make sense to not count the calories from fiber, in addition to not counting it in the overall carb content. Of course I am anal though, and usually count every little thing.

Originally Posted by dianas05

Then the nutrional label on the box is incorrect?

yes, technically it is incorrect...

That's weird.

Originally Posted by dianas05

That's weird.

Not really, every fiber has calories, the problem is the intestin that can´t digest it. If we could digest anything, I would bulk with some batteries right now.

I wonder why a "fitness" product that could benefit to have fewer calories in their product, would make such a bad mistake in the label.

When fiber is broken down, it ranges from 0 to 2 calories per gram--depending on what type of fiber it is. It is better to just not count fiber towards your carbs or calories. Just consider it filler.

hmm so I'm really only eat 2540 calories a day? I eat like 60 grams of fibre a day, so I need to eat more to get the 2800 calorie mark..fun lol
Thanks for everyone's help

Originally Posted by Tom_B

Thanks for everyone's help

I always like a personalized "thank you post"

You don't need to count fiber.

Originally Posted by Vieope

Not really, every fiber has calories, the problem is the intestin that can´t digest it. If we could digest anything, I would bulk with some batteries right now.

I wonder why a "fitness" product that could benefit to have fewer calories in their product, would make such a bad mistake in the label.

I know about the fiber, but I was talking about the label being weird.

Tom b how do you get 60 grams of fiber a day? you must be mad supplementing...

lol nope, I don't even mean to get in that much, I aim for liek 38G a day.
My main sources are, my Fiber 1 15-30 grams of Fiber depending if I have 1/2 a cup or a cup. There's 8 grams of fiber in 1 of my oroweat carb counting tortillas wraps and I usually have 2 of those a day and then I get about 10-12G through fruits and Vegetables. And everything else is made outta the oatmeal, Brown Rice, Low carb soy milk etc.
I also meant to ask if that's way too much fiber in one day since the recommended amount is 38G for an adult male.

Originally Posted by Tom_B

I also meant to ask if that's way too much fiber in one day since the recommended amount is 38G for an adult male.

Not at all - your fibre intake is much more appropriate as the 'recommended daily intake' is horribly inadequate... Think of the 'recommended intake' as your absolute MINIMUM required intake - and 2x or even up to 3x (ok... so 3x may be a little excessive... )this amount is fine. Anyway - you can get away with a lot more than what they say.

But just remember that fibre can decrease absorption of any foods or vitamins/minerals you take in at the same time (eg: it can decrease the absorption of fats, decrease the absorption of calcium, decrease the absorption of some carotenoids etc) so if you do take these in tablet form make sure you do not do it at a 'high fibre' meal.

So, enlighten me, I eat fiber one everyday and I count half a cup as 60 calories- how much is it REALLY!!! Now I'm pissed- I don't think they should post it like that on the box, if you want to subtract the fiber calories than fine, but they need to post it the regular way IMO. So, actually all bran would be better for you- right?

Originally Posted by Emma-Leigh

But just remember that fibre can decrease absorption of any foods or vitamins/minerals you take in at the same time (eg: it can decrease the absorption of fats, decrease the absorption of calcium, decrease the absorption of some carotenoids etc) so if you do take these in tablet form make sure you do not do it at a 'high fibre' meal.

Grrrrrr.. this is something i 'knew' but didnt 'realise'. I have oats in the morning with a scoop of protein powder and 1tbsp olive oil and a vitamin pill. I guess i now need to rethink this as absorption levels would be affected.

Originally Posted by ncgirl21

So, enlighten me, I eat fiber one everyday and I count half a cup as 60 calories- how much is it REALLY!!! Now I'm pissed- I don't think they should post it like that on the box, if you want to subtract the fiber calories than fine, but they need to post it the regular way IMO. So, actually all bran would be better for you- right?

It says on the box half a cup is 60 calories for yours? for mine it says it's 110 calories, I posted all the nutriotn facts earlier in the post

Originally Posted by Emma-Leigh

Not at all - your fibre intake is much more appropriate as the 'recommended daily intake' is horribly inadequate... Think of the 'recommended intake' as your absolute MINIMUM required intake - and 2x or even up to 3x (ok... so 3x may be a little excessive... )this amount is fine. Anyway - you can get away with a lot more than what they say.

But just remember that fibre can decrease absorption of any foods or vitamins/minerals you take in at the same time (eg: it can decrease the absorption of fats, decrease the absorption of calcium, decrease the absorption of some carotenoids etc) so if you do take these in tablet form make sure you do not do it at a 'high fibre' meal.

Ok good, wasn't sure if that was too much, I started too notice how much iw as ataken in when i found out fiber creates a resitence to insulin. How long roughly does it take for you body to become resitante to insulin?

Originally Posted by BulkMeUp

Grrrrrr.. this is something i 'knew' but didnt 'realise'. I have oats in the morning with a scoop of protein powder and 1tbsp olive oil and a vitamin pill. I guess i now need to rethink this as absorption levels would be affected.

lol same with me! for every meal I have 10 grams of fiber (except breakfast) give, or take and I've been taking my vitamins with a meal that has like 20 grams of fiber.

Originally Posted by Tom_B

It says on the box half a cup is 60 calories for yours? for mine it says it's 110 calories, I posted all the nutriotn facts earlier in the post

Hell Yeah and I'm pissed . It says for 1/2 cup is 60 calories.

So, eating lentils may slow the absorption of calcium pills?

Originally Posted by Tom_B

Ok good, wasn't sure if that was too much, I started too notice how much iw as ataken in when i found out fiber creates a resitence to insulin. How long roughly does it take for you body to become resitante to insulin?

Fibre does not cause insulin resistance, infact, it helps prevent insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance is decrease in the sensitivity of your tissues (eg: muscles) to insulin. This is usually related to a decrease in number of insulin receptors on your cells due to 'bombardment' of cells with constantly high insulin levels. It is usually caused by things such as poor diet (high sugars, high saturated fats), bad lifestyle habits (no exercise etc), diseases/illnesses (like increased cortisol seen in cushings, some androgen cancers which alter hormone levels etc) and to a certain extent, genetics. It means you need MORE insulin for your muscles/body to respond to rises in blood glucose which puts extra stress on your pancreatic islets (where insulin is secreted) and can eventually (in some people) lead to type II diabetes. It also means you constantly have high glucose and high insulin levels in your blood, which is not good news for your health (high blood glucose can lead to lots of things like increased risk of stroke/coronary heart disease etc and high insulin will perpetuate your insulin resistance cycle...

This is not caused by fibre!

Fibre is really benificial to the body, especially in terms of your cardiovascular system (it decreases cholesterol - both total cholesterol and the 'bad' cholesterol and decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease) and intestinal system (it decreases your risk of intestinal/colon cancers)...

In terms of diet it helps decrease the GI/GL of your meals (which decreases your insulin release and gives you a more stable blood glucose and blood insulin levels - which DECREASES your risk of insulin resistance), promotes satiety (both through 'bulk' undigested fibre and through the effect of the soluble fibre on your satiety centres in your brain) and increases the thermogenic potential of a meal (it takes more energy to extract energy from high fibre foods).

Eat up!

Originally Posted by sara

So, eating lentils may slow the absorption of calcium pills?

Yes, to a certain extent... It will also alter your absorption of calcium because lentils are high(ish) in both zinc and iron (iron, zinc and fibre will all decrease calcium absorption).

Calcium is best taken a few times during the day - as your body can not cope with large doses. So try first thing in the am, once during the day and last thing at night. Taking them away from high fibre meals, with a milk/dairy product, or with magnesium pills (magnesium helps absorption) will help.

Also make sure you are taking calcium citrate as this has the best bioavailability (it has the best absorption and utilisation rates in your body).