Optimize, I sure hope after you taste the bread you will post the recipe? Have you tried it yet? How are the other recipes?

Jen

Know what you mean Bess. Those labels can be really confusing, and since they keep changing the regulations on how to report carbs on a label, it's really annoying as well. I'd suggest you go to http://atkins.com/Archive/2002/1/5-553235.html to have a look at what Atkins has to say about carbs on labels. There's a lot on his site about it actually, at www.atkins.com. Just do a search for any questions you have.
The Pralines 'n Cream bar, for example, is made up largely of sugar alcohols (the *ols like malitol, sorbitol, etc) which supposedly do not raise blood sugar in a substantial way. However, some people are more affected by sugar alcohols just like some people's blood sugars are more affected by aspartame than others. Same goes for glycerin. Of course, as I said, the more detailed explanations of these are on the Atkins website which says "We do use fiber and other carbohydrates, such as sugar alcohols, that have a minimal impact on blood sugar and thus fit the Atkins definition of a "non-digestible" or net carb. Atkins foods are also sweetened primarily with sucralose (SplendaTM brand), the only non-caloric sweetener derived from sugar, so it tastes just like sugar." So in the bar you have you can deduct not only the dietary fiber but the sugar alcohols and glycerin as well.
The problem, for me, is that nobody lists the AMOUNT of glycerin and sugar alcohols, so that unless they do as Atkins does and put the NET carbs on the label, it's impossible to determine how much there is. I know there is SOME in there based on the fact that they are on the ingredient list, and the order they come in the list lets me know if there's a little or a lot, but again that doesn't say much. For instance, very little aspartame goes a long long way so the TINY amount in sugar-free jello is what sweetens the whole package. I wish they would break down the amounts in the way they do for fiber so we could just deduct the entire amounts fromt he total carb count. I've taken to writing down new bars when I see them, looking them up online until I find the net carb count, then going back to buy them if they are suitable.
Anyway, sure hope this helps you Bess. Remember that Atkins doesn't recommend more than one of those bars per day though. Even if you are one of the fortunate who's blood sugar isn't highly affected, they can stimulate a craving for sweet things again, something we all know is best avoided ;-). But as a treat, I love them...along with those terriffic Peanut Butter Cups..those are just TOO good lol. Take care, best of luck.