The tremendously tricky carb quiz

How well do you know your carbohydrates? See which of these six statements you think are true...

1. Meats never provide more than a small amount of carbs.
2. A serving of butter beans has as many carbs as a slice of sourdough bread.
3. According to their labels, a 3/4-cup (20 gram) serving of frosted corn flakes provides 27 grams of carbs and a 3/4-cup (20 gram) serving of high-fibre cereal provides 38 grams. Obviously, the kids’ cereal will be easier on your sugar.
4. Crab meat and imitation crab meat are both very low in carbs. After all, they’re both seafood!
5. If the label says "sugar-free" or "low-fat," it's probably low-carb, too.
6. You only have to count carbs in the foods you eat.

1. Meats never provide more than a small amount of carbs.

False. The word "never" is a dead giveaway. While most meats provide just a half-gram or so of carbs per serving, some meats contain more. Liver has over 5 grams of carbs in a 4-ounce serving. Deli meats, sausage and processed meats may have sugar or other fillers that can also add a fair amount of carbs. Sometimes, it's right there in the name—like honey ham or maple-cured bacon.

2. A serving of butter beans has as many carbs as a slice of sourdough bread.

True. A half cup (40 grams) of cooked butter beans provides about 17 grams of carbs, compared to 16 grams for a one-ounce (28 gram) slice of sourdough bread. Other high-carb vegetables include winter squashes—such as acorn or butternut squash, dried beans, artichokes, corn, peas, yams and potatoes. Non-starchy vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, green beans, spinach and courgette provide only about 5 grams of carbs per serving.

3. According to their labels, a 3/4-cup serving of frosted corn flakes provides fewer grams of carbs than a 3/4-cup serving of high-fibre cereal, so the frosted corn flakes must be better for your sugar.

False. Okay, it's a trick question. You know that for high-fiber foods, you can subtract the fibre from the total carbohydrate count. Since the unnamed fibre cereal we've used for this comparison has a whopping 21 grams of fibre in 3/4 cup (20 grams), the amount of carbs that will affect your sugar is closer to 17 grams per serving. A lot less than the frosted flakes. You may not need as big a bolus, and that fibre can help you feel full all the way to the next snack or meal.

4. Because they’re both seafood, crab meat and imitation crab meat are both very low in carbs.

False. Imitation crab meat, often used in restaurants or deli seafood salads, can give you about 13 grams of carbs in a three-ounce (83 gram) serving. Real crab? Not enough carbs to count. Generally, fresh fish won't have carbs, but be careful any time something is processed—check the label.

5. If the label says "sugar-free" or "low-fat," it's probably low-carb, too.

False. The leaner the promise on the front of the label, the more you need to check the back. Regular mayonnaise, for example, is free of carbs. But no-fat mayo can give you up to 4 grams per tablespoon (15 grams). That's not to suggest that you automatically choose the full-fat version—just be an informed eater. Sugar-free cookies? At least one brand has 15 grams of carbs per serving.

6. You only have to count carbs in the foods you eat.

Not exactly true. Keep in mind that beer, wine and mixed drinks also provide carbs, as does tonic water and flavoured sport waters.

The bottom line? Never assume. Check the label.

Love the myths and mistruths? Read more from Riva Greenberg at The Huffington Post.