Glycerine is often lumped together with sugar alcohols, but it is not a sugar alcohol. Although glycerine (also called glycerol) is derived from triglyceride fat, its chemistry is neither fat nor carobhydrate .. However, because it has a sweet taste and thick syrup texture, it is classified as a carbohydrate on the food label.

Glycerine is used as a humectant in the low-carb protein bars. It helps the bar stay soft and moist, otherwise it would be a small, rock-hard lump of plasticized soy and/or whey proteins with added vitamins

You do not need to include the grams of glycerine in your daily carb budget, but it's still wise to limit your intake of glycerine-containing foods. Glycerine does not directly raise blood sugar levels or trigger insulin. However, the sweet taste can indirectly stimulate the sweet receptors in sensitive individuals, and this will trigger cortisol which in turn will raise blood sugar and insulin. It's definitely a YMMV thing.

Atkins recommends no more than one low-carb protein bar per day, and only as a convenience food. These bars are rather low in calories and fat, and should not be used to replace a meal.


Doreen