Question:
What is the difference between Reg.carbohydrates and impact carbohydrates?

I eat at least 2 or 3 protein bars aday. Most bars list at least 21 total carbs. On the front of the bar it states impac carbs, 4. Which of the carbs do I include in my total for the day? Nancy Scott Rny250/173/? 8months out    — nancyscott (posted on May 5, 2004)

May 5, 2004
It depends on what your surgeon wants you to count. Some say to count all carbs - others say to count impact carbs (total carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols) since fiber and sugar alcohols are said to not have an impact on glucose levels in the blood.
   — Carolyn M.

May 5, 2004
I follow Atkins which counts impact carbs (also sometimes called net carbs). You can determine this by taking the total carbs and subtracting out the sugar alcohols and the fiber. Unfortunately, not all food labels contain this info so it can be somewhat challenging.
   — Yolanda J.

May 5, 2004
I don't count carbs at all. I didn't have the surgery to have to keep counting everything for the rest of my life so I just stay away from anything that has sugar above 13g or contains white flour. That pretty much knocks out the high calorie, high glycemic response stuff. I also can't tolerate the sugar alcohols so don't have that issue either. I couldn't ever get a good solid feel for which way to count carbs so I just cut out the ones that I knew had no nutritional value.
   — scbabe