Here is a very old thread that i found on my PC

(Thread copied from the old mssg board)

Topic: CARBOLITE BARS....can those who've tried, er...weigh in...LOL
Per Sistent
posted 05-13-02

Hi guys,

I'm the new forum poster, a re-starter who posted "Back on Atkins and the Scale will NOT Move," earlier -- thanks for all the advice and encouragement.

But one thing I'd like to know -- what does everyone think of the Carbolite chocolate bars? I'm sure they've popped up as a topic before here -- but I'm new, so excuse the re-tread. [[Smile]] For those who've tried them (and boy, have I!)they are sooo delicious, I can't tell the diff between them and a hershey bar, literally.

The carb count is supposedly 0.4 carb grams for 2 pieces (one serving) --each bar has about 8 servings I think (?), so I'm thinking they're about 8 carbs for one bar.

Since I'm the re-starter who can't get the scale to move, I'm staying away from them for now [[Frown]] ...but I have to admit for the first two weeks, I did indulge (perhaps they were what was hanging me up?)...I usually had a half a bar a day - 5 carbs at the most(?).

But what do others think? Are they too good to be true? Do you avoid them? Are they okay on induction?

...just to correct something I didn't eat them *every* day, but when I did have them - I only had half a bar a day. LOL
[hr]

Boston Buttercup
posted 05-13-2002

Hi,

I am quite a newbie here, but I thought I would share my experiences. I am sure some of the vets will chime in.

The Carbolite bars have what are called "hidden carbs"....whatever they use to sweeten the bar is not "technically" a carb, but it sort of acts like one. For some people, this can stall weight loss and cause carb cravings, for others it not a problem. In order to figure out how many hidden carbs there are, you can use the calculator on this site and plug in the nutrition info. I have done it for the Carbolite bars before, I think each bar has roughly 15-17 carbs total...so this could definitely explain why you haven't had much progress.

Although it is tough, they really should not be eaten during Induction. Induction is sort of a way to cleanse your system so you lose the desire for carbs. It is not fun, but it is really important (in my opinion). Once Induction is over, you can experiment and add these sorts of treats in occasionally and see if they cause you to stall. In my case, I don't seem to have any negative reaction to them and I can treat myself to 1/2 a bar maybe once every week or two, but honestly, after Induction my desire for this sort of thing diminished DRASTICALLY!

Hope you're not too disappointed at this response. Some people feel very strongly that you should avoid these treats all together, but I think you just have to figure out what is best for yourself. And one last thing: while I think Carbolite bars are good, I think Pure DeLight chocolate is even better. You have to buy it online, but I have found that for most products, the total carb counts are lower (about 10-13 carbs per bar) and the taste is better.

Good Luck! I know it can be tough to learn the ins and outs of this WOE, but it gets easier. I had several false starts, but once I got Induction right it was very smooth sailing afterwards, and I have lost a lot of weight -- I am sure you will, too
[hr]

Per Sistent
posted 05-13-2002

Boston Buttercup thanks so much for the info! Wow...15-17 hidden carbs? I am definitely going to steer clear at least until I'm out of this stall. I will check out the Pure Delight bars at a later date as they sound like an even better alternative, so thanks for the tip. But while I'm still in the induction phase, I'm going to be good, and just do my sugar free jello and heavy cream if I want to satisfy that sweet craving, and like you say...without these treats to tempt me, the cravings should lessen. Thanks so much for the info!!
[hr]

Cajun
posted 05-13-2002

I can speak from TWO experiences.. My friend Stacy has been eating well... and she gained TWO pounds in a week. Now the one thing I like about this program, is that in the entire 4 months, I haven't put any weight back ON. I found the culprit. Carbolite bars. If your going to have ANY - limit yourself to one PIECE ever week or so. I have three in my fridge.. and I haven't suffered any problems, but I don't have them but once in a blue moon... and then I only have one piece.
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Boston Buttercup
posted 05-14-2002

Glad I could help!

Like I said, I am pretty new at this but I do know a few of the tricks. As a good rule of thumb, you should put any low-carb "treat" through the carb calculator. Bars, shakes, chips, and sweets of all kind usually have hidden carbs. It doesn't mean they are completely off limits (after Induction), but you need to know the accurate carb count so you can properly account for them.
[hr]

kmtrs1
posted 05-14-

Okay guys, I am confused. The Carbolite Bars clearly state that they have zero carbs and that the carbs are not absorbed or whatever. So what is the deal here? Is this some cruel joke? They aren't cheap and if they are carb laden why should we bother with them at all?

--------------------
Karen
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meg
posted 05-14-2002

to answer the previous post

sugar alcohols, which include maltitol, are the sweeteners used in most of the choc bars.
they HAVE a carb count.

when tested on people (who i suspect where on a high carb diet) the sugar alcohols had a negligible effect on their blood sugar concentrations
this was the manufacturers reason for not including glycerine ( an impure form of glycol - a sugar alcohol) in the carb counts of many products - mainly protein bars.

a large percentage of LCers were affected by the glycerine in those bars. it has been theorized that the testing may be invalid because they didnt use LCers to test the sugar alcohols. because we keep our insulin at a low level, and dont eat sugar, we may be more sensitive to things like sugar alcohols

i stay away from protein bars because glycerine is a HUGE trigger for me.

i can treat myself to a LC choc bar, occasionally. i can not do it every day or i waken the sleeping demons.
most people DO NOT use them every day, for that reason

for me only, they are a pretty choice for having something sweet and candy bar like. others are able to act differently. - we do personalize our LC eating plan at one point

yes, they are expensive.
they are NOT for everyone
i do believe the carb counts are inaccurate because of my personal sensitivity to sugar alcohols

i use them because even with the full carb count of sugar alcohols, the carb count is lower than if i ate a real choc bar of the same size.
the sucrose (real sugar) is dangerous for me. i am a (recovering) sugar addict, and dont want to fall into that downward spiral again

Ok, enough of my ramblings. i hope i answered the question

meg

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Boston Buttercup
posted 05-14-2002

I think these chocolate companies are starting to feel the heat for "mislabeling". I noticed that many of them now list the total carb counts and include the sugar alcohols, but then claim at the bottom that the effective carb count is lower. For example, I got a free sample of a Keto Bar from Netrition. On the front, it proudly claims "3g effective carb count" but in the nutrition info, it says total carbs: 24g. Hmmm...magic?

It seems unfair, but it is a reality that most products that claim to be low in carbs usually have some hidden ones. Once you figure out the accurate carb counts, then you can determine if and how they fit into your menu.
[hr]

Terese
posted 05-14-2002

speaking of relabeling bars....

I get a certain protein bar that I will use in a pinch. They have relabeled and I have found there values to be right on... so, while I was at Trader Joes one day, without checking out the label for the carb count (I tried a new flavor) I found that the carbs were 31!! I almost fell over. (the other flavor I've used is only 13 - and for me that is very do-able)

so, i sat down and read the label, and here is what is says:

Carbohydrate Information
The Protein Plus bar contains only 3 grams of Net Impact Carbs that should be counted toward your daily carbohydrate intake.

NET IMPACT CARBS = 3g
Glycerin, dietary fiber and carbohydrates (other than sugars and starches) in this bar elicit a negligible impact on blood sugar levels. Glycerin response is a very important issue - Get Informed. http://www.glycemictechnologies.com

Well, at least they were telling people to get educated. Though I do feel Glycerin is a YMMV kinda carb. There are some people who are effected by it... but I dont think I am as I'm able to have bars and not be effected.

But, back to those *candy bars* They all do seem to fit in the same category.... (Darell Lea, Ross, CarboLite, etc) eat with caution... for one, they are hard to stop at just one square, and those dang hidden carbs and calories add up very fast. If stalled or you seem to be gaining a lil bit..... NIX those bars.

--------------------
Terese
LC since 9/99
[hr]

azcipy
posted 05-15-2002

I called Carbolite about the carb counts. These are the big bars. They said if you have 2 pieces than it is 0 carb count. If you eat the whole bar the carb counts are as follow: Choc. Almond 1.2, White Choc. Almond 1.3, Choc. Crisp 2.1, White Choc. Crisp 2.4, Dark Choc. 2.1, Milk Choc. Plane 1.2 and the Choc. Peanut 1.5 At the time I called she said they where going to redo the labeling. I hope this helps.

--------------------

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lynnrath
posted 05-15-2002

Frankly, my dears, I eat REAL chocolate when I have a craving.

I don't eat it often but when I get the urge, I turn to high quality, gourmet, dark chocolate. I think that's MUCH better than messing with all the alcohols and chemicals in the fake stuff.

My favorite is the Scharffen-Berger Nibby Bar. It comes in little 1oz. bars and is 15 grams. Perfect. I'm to the point now where that's about all I can take at any one time and sometimes, I only eat half of it!

Lynn
--------------------
www.ilovelowcarb.com
240/170/140
Atkins 1st time - July 2000 @ 210
Atkins 2nd time - June 2001 @ 198
And it's the last time!
[hr]

Protein Queen
posted 05-21-2002

Dear Persistent one,

Oh those nasty little delicious bars!!!!!!
Omg! Let's see I had a FRIEND introduce them to me and I thought...wow these are great!!
And I got addicted...one a day...sometimes 2?
Well the scale....laughed at me when I stepped on after a weeks time....of being "GOOD".
1 pound. That was during induction....
I ditched them....I would rather do without them and take my 6 pounds weight loss.
Lose em to lose the weight. Those are my words of advice.
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kmtrs1
posted 05-21-2002

Well, it still seems to me like this is all a big hoax. Even Atkins puts out a candy bar called "Endulge." I suppose it's the same problem with them, too. Rats! I really liked those for an occasional treat.

--------------------
Karen

**Next post in carbo-lite thread**
(Thread copied from the old mssg board)

Topic: WATCH OUT!!!!!!!(Carbolite bars)

No sugar talking
posted 06-09-2002

I thought I had found the answer to chocolate. When I found out that Carbolite bars had zero carbs., I gave them a try. WOW wonderful stuff. I went back to Walgreens and bought 20. Now mind you, I only eat one at a time every few days and many times split that bar with DD4. Today I was enjoying my bar and looked on the back. I already knew they had zero carbs. But what I didn't know is : 1 BAR HAS 7 SERVINGS!!!!! [[Eek!]] One serving is supposed to be 2 tiny little pieces off the candy bar. When I bought these I never looked at the serving size because, who would have ever expected it to be more than one serving? Boy am I [[Mad]]

--------------------
STATS: 291/286/165 Ht.5'9" {EAT PROTEIN!} [ - ]
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kbizou
posted 06-09-2002

HI! Actually I have 3 different chocolate bars for emergencies in my home. They all list differently. The Carbolite Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar, is listed:
AS serving size 1 Bar(28g) or 1 oz (one bar), 140 calories, net effective carbs 1.2g

However the Chocolate Almond bar, is listed as:
1 peice (7 g) Approx. 4 per bar. And this one peice has 42(not much) calories, 168 total calories((a little more than the almond bar).

I also have a bar called Pure De=Lite. Milk Chocolate with mint. It has serving size of one bar, 38g with total calories at 187 for the whole thing. It also is made with Malitol!

SO, I am not going to give up on my occasional TOM chocolate treats. They keep me sane!!!
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BabyGirl
posted 06-10-2002

In addition...
Be careful with these bars, they are loaded with sugar alcohol’s. I too eat them occasionally (now) due to stalling.

From:
PAmomathome3
posted 05-31-2002

"..the general rule of thumb from what I have read is to count half of the grams of sugar alcohols (ie maltitol) as carbs. I have been enjoying Ross choc. bars on occasion...the dark choc is wonderful and only about 5 carbs or so per bar, including half of the maltitol!!

--------------------
Felicia

225/195/145
started 3/8/02

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autumn_mist
posted 06-10-2002

Hi
I also have recently found the carbolite bars that say 0 sugar carbs = but mine is a 1oz bar (28g) and says .2 G of net effective carbs- its made with splenda - on my last day of 4th week of induction and just needed a little something- lol

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Protein Queen
posted 06-11-2002

Oh those bars.........yum huh? There are also bars out there called Pure de-lite and they are just that delightful!! Belguim chocolate and all! They slowed me down.......sooooooo much! That I stopped them altogether. I too have one on hand for emergencies. But that is all. I don't do the fake sugars..because they slow me down.
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Terese
posted 06-11-2002

reading labels is soooo important on this WOE... and being able to figure for those hidden carbs, you will be surprised... those Ross bars are around 10g per bar, not the piddly amount they list on the wrapper.

take the grams of fat - and multiply by 9
take the grams of protein - and multiply by4

subtract those 2 numbers from the total calories and the remainder, divide by 4 and you will get the total carbohydrates for that bar.... it's sometimes staggering.

(hope i did that right..... was doing it from memory, not looking at calculations)but, those bars are yummy.. i have to admit that.

(and i do have a freezer full of Ross bars)


Terese
LCE Member since 12/00
LCE Moderator since 3/01
My LC web site