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Answer from Atkins folks about their bars
Okay. I emailed the Atkins people and asked about the high carb count in their bars because the math just didn't jive with me. I understand a bit more now. However, I do not agree that these bars can be used at every rung, especially the first two weeks of induction when we are training our bodies to behave in a whole new way. I will try one soon (even though I am on extended induction) and see if I notice any cravings creeping up or any stall in weighloss. I have never noticed a problem with the shakes.
So here is the answer I received this morning.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Atkins products are specifically formulated to minimize the impact of carbohydrates on a person's blood sugar level because elevated blood sugar and the resulting excess insulin production can inhibit weight loss, weight management and increase the risk of disease and illness and that is why not all carbs are created equal.
We accomplish this in our product formulation by understanding that not all carbohydrates behave the same way in a person's body. While most carbohydrates - sugar, which imparts 4 calories per gram, is the best example - are digested by your body and turned into blood sugar, other carbohydrates behave differently. Some carbs, such as sugar alcohol, glycerine and maltitol, are digested by your body but not turned into glucose. And, some carbs - such as fiber - can impart as little as 0 calories per gram, are not digested at all and pass through your body as waste. In either of these last two cases there is no noted impact on blood sugar levels. However, the FDA and other health organizations have not yet focused on this important biochemical difference and treat all carbohydrates as the same.
The nutritional information on Atkins food products is intended to help consumers understand exactly how we formulate our products so that they have the knowledge necessary to follow a controlled carbohydrate nutritional approach and eat healthy foods. Basically, this means that once you subtract the grams of fiber and sugar alcohols from the total carbs, the remainder is the Net Carbs.
In the case of Atkins(tm) Advantage® Bars, which contain glycerine, the math is not so simple. Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now will not allow glycerine to be listed separately the way fiber and sugar alcohols are, glycerine carbs are included in the figure for total carbohydrates despite the fact that it has minimal impact on blood sugar. As a result, Advantage® Bars now show a higher number for total carbs. To clarify exactly which are the carbs you need to count when you do Atkins, there is now a new "Net Carbs" seal displayed in a circle on the front of the package. It excludes carbs that have minimal impact on blood sugar. The total carbohydrate statement, which appears on the Nutritional Facts Panel, will be much higher on our new labels to comply with FDA regulations. But remember that this includes glycerine and only the Net Carbs listed in the Net Carbs circular seal count when you do Atkins.
Example:
Atkins Chocolate Mocha Crunch Advantage® Bar
Total Carbohydrate (as defined by the FDA) 22 grams
Fiber 10 grams
Net Carbohydrates of interest to consumers who do Atkins 3 grams
(Mainly from the soy nuggets, cocoa and residual carbs found in the sources for the protein blend)
We trust you will find this information helpful. If you have additional questions regarding Atkins' products, please feel free to e-mail us again, or contact our Atkins Advantage Agents by phone at 1-800-6-ATKINS Monday to Friday from 8AM to 5PM EST. If you would like to place an order, our Ordering Department is available 8:00 am -8:00 pm EST Monday - Friday and on line at atkins.com click on Shop the Atkins Store for your convenience.
Questions about the Atkins Nutrition Principles can be answered by Atkins experts in the Live Discussion section on our website.
Atkins Advantage Consumer Affairs
So here is the answer I received this morning.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Atkins products are specifically formulated to minimize the impact of carbohydrates on a person's blood sugar level because elevated blood sugar and the resulting excess insulin production can inhibit weight loss, weight management and increase the risk of disease and illness and that is why not all carbs are created equal.
We accomplish this in our product formulation by understanding that not all carbohydrates behave the same way in a person's body. While most carbohydrates - sugar, which imparts 4 calories per gram, is the best example - are digested by your body and turned into blood sugar, other carbohydrates behave differently. Some carbs, such as sugar alcohol, glycerine and maltitol, are digested by your body but not turned into glucose. And, some carbs - such as fiber - can impart as little as 0 calories per gram, are not digested at all and pass through your body as waste. In either of these last two cases there is no noted impact on blood sugar levels. However, the FDA and other health organizations have not yet focused on this important biochemical difference and treat all carbohydrates as the same.
The nutritional information on Atkins food products is intended to help consumers understand exactly how we formulate our products so that they have the knowledge necessary to follow a controlled carbohydrate nutritional approach and eat healthy foods. Basically, this means that once you subtract the grams of fiber and sugar alcohols from the total carbs, the remainder is the Net Carbs.
In the case of Atkins(tm) Advantage® Bars, which contain glycerine, the math is not so simple. Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now will not allow glycerine to be listed separately the way fiber and sugar alcohols are, glycerine carbs are included in the figure for total carbohydrates despite the fact that it has minimal impact on blood sugar. As a result, Advantage® Bars now show a higher number for total carbs. To clarify exactly which are the carbs you need to count when you do Atkins, there is now a new "Net Carbs" seal displayed in a circle on the front of the package. It excludes carbs that have minimal impact on blood sugar. The total carbohydrate statement, which appears on the Nutritional Facts Panel, will be much higher on our new labels to comply with FDA regulations. But remember that this includes glycerine and only the Net Carbs listed in the Net Carbs circular seal count when you do Atkins.
Example:
Atkins Chocolate Mocha Crunch Advantage® Bar
Total Carbohydrate (as defined by the FDA) 22 grams
Fiber 10 grams
Net Carbohydrates of interest to consumers who do Atkins 3 grams
(Mainly from the soy nuggets, cocoa and residual carbs found in the sources for the protein blend)
We trust you will find this information helpful. If you have additional questions regarding Atkins' products, please feel free to e-mail us again, or contact our Atkins Advantage Agents by phone at 1-800-6-ATKINS Monday to Friday from 8AM to 5PM EST. If you would like to place an order, our Ordering Department is available 8:00 am -8:00 pm EST Monday - Friday and on line at atkins.com click on Shop the Atkins Store for your convenience.
Questions about the Atkins Nutrition Principles can be answered by Atkins experts in the Live Discussion section on our website.
Atkins Advantage Consumer Affairs
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