Look at the total first
Carbohydrates include sugars, starches and fiber. A food can be low in sugar and high in starch, so a sugar-free cookie is not necessarily low in carbohydrates. The amount you eat also changes the result.
- Look for Total Carbohydrate, not just Total Sugars.
- Check grams per serving and how many servings you eat.
- Honey, unrefined cane sugar and juices also provide carbohydrates.
How La Mesa uses net carbs
In these recipes, net means total carbohydrates minus fiber. This is an approximate cooking comparison, not a measurement of your glucose or a rule for calculating insulin. We do not subtract all sugar alcohols: their effects and absorption vary.
Fiber adds bulk and may support bowel regularity. Increase it gradually and use enough fluid, unless your doctor has prescribed a restriction.
References for further reading
- CDC · Choosing healthy carbohydrates ↗
- FDA · Understanding nutrition labels ↗
- NIDDK · Healthy living with diabetes ↗
General educational material prepared in October 2026. This does not replace individual assessment or instructions.
