Even though I have been trying to concentrate on eating natural foods as snacks/meals, I have also been keeping snack bars/meal replacements around for when I'm rushed or need something quick and easy.

I bought a couple of the Luna Glow bars that says it has 3g of net impact carbs. The first one I tried, strawberry caramel sundae was absolutely delicious. I haven't tried the other 2 flavors they have yet, but I hope they taste just as good.

Just be careful with those. They're full of sugar alcohols, which are digested and therefore technically count as carbs as well as severely impacting blood sugar levels for some people. Just a little heads up. If you find yourself having digestive 'issues' or stalling out, it could very likely be those bars.

Yes indeed. Star Princess is dead on. Natural foods are best. I understand the FDA is addressing this "net carbs" issue and is going to force manufacturers to clarify. The carbs ARE there - whether they count or not is the issue.

I do prefer natural foods to processed and the bars are a rarity. For other reasons, I am not really fond of the low carb candies. Personally, those simulate eating candy a bit too closely and I don't want to be in that habit. Whether or not they are ok on certain low carb diets.

As I understand, the sugar alcohols don't induce an insulin response in most people, and that is what makes them net carbs? Unless there is another reason they call them net carbs. I like to have bars around for those occassions which I could make a really bad choice of food and at least they are around to keep me balanced.

IMO, the whole sugar alcohols thing is terribly misleading. Here's the bottom line:

* They ARE carbs, and they are carbs that get digested (unlike fiber which goes right through)
* They don't cause insulin spikes in most people.

So it comes down to why you're counting carbs. It if it's about keeping your blood sugar stable, then you're probably fine now counting them. If it's about limiting carbs to lose weight, then they should be avoided.

I also totally understand about being caught in a rush and not wanting to go totally off plan. I keep single serving packets of almonds and beef jerky in my car, just in case.

The other day I ate a couple of little pieces of Sweet n Low chocolates, OMG I had the worst case of the hershey squirts ever. When will I learn to stay away from that crap (no pun intended but funny nonetheless)

Shame on sugar alcohols, bad bad !!

That was the funniest thing I read all day!! Thanks for the smile, at the expense of your posterior

Michelle

Michelle, my daughter who's 2 1/2 thought it was funny too b/c every time I felt the urge to merge, I'd grab the poor thing and run her in the bathroom w/me (can't trust a 2 year old alone) so she would giggle as I was bouncing her all over the house.