Question about carbs

I read the carb content on everything I buy nowdays, it helps me get where I want to be.  Today I bought my 9 year old grandson some Carb Smart Ice Cream Bars.  He is on a diet and I am watching his calories and carbs.  I thought it would be nice to give him a treat on Friday nights which is our family night.  I read on the front of the box "5 total grams of Carbs" but when I got home and looked at the values on the back of the box it says for 1 serving (one bar) it is 9 grams of Carbs.  What am I missing?  Is there a difference in "total carbs" than carbs per serving?

You are restricting carbs for a 9 year old?

It's possible that the 5 grams on the front of the box refers to a smaller serving size. They trick you with servings sizes and servings per box. There usually is a "contact us" phone number or website where you can ask for clarification. I think you are wonderful to monitor what your grandson eats. Good eating habits start early and making him aware of what he eats is SMART!

Yes, he  has a NUT that specializes in children.  He also weighs 120 lbs, is taunted at school and has PDD-NOS ADD.  He is allowed 60 grams of carb daily.  We maintain this by him not eating anything white mostly.  He is allowed 1% milk and 45calorie bread.  He was abandoned by his mother and while in her care ate mostly junk food in the backseat of a car where they lived.  He is obsessed with every meal and often hides food in his room.  He is getting treatment for those issues but since diabetes runs in both sides of the family it is imparative he loses some weight and get more exercise.  But with having the motor skills of a 3 year old it is difficult. 

That is really heartbreaking. It's great that you are taking care of him and giving him a chance at a better life.

Does it contain insoluble fiber? Some diets subtract them from the total carb content since they just go right through you.

I don't know about that, I will have to check the box again. 

yeah, they call it net carbs,  you take the carbs  say 9 but sutract the fiber say 4 and net carbs would be 5   some people count all carbs   some net carbs,   atkins is about net carbs  its wonderful what you are doing for him and he is so lucky to have you,  so many people have no one  :o) jeani

If it has sugar alcohols in it, that would also be subtracted from the "Total carb count". So if the total carb is 9 but there are 4 sugar alcohols, then net carb would be 5. 

Thank you all for your help.  I went to the website and if you try to use the contact  button it takes you to an automated response page where it says to ask your question . When you ask the question it gives you product information available on the back of the box..  My grandson is the son of my youngest son who is living and working in Salt Lake City.  He is going to live with his dad this summer and I will have to go thru empty nest all over again.  He really has brought a lot of happiness to our lives.