Normally I see something like

carbs 7
fiber 4

on a label, but every once in a while I see

Carbs 7
fiber 4
soluble fiber 3
insoluble fiber 1


is the soluble fiber able to be absorbed by your body?

Should we only count insoluble fiber when listed?

bump because I am still confused

Soluble fiber is basically a gelatinous fiber that can bind with fats and move them through your body - essentially undigested. Insoluble fiber basically is fibrous plant material that goes out of your body essentially the same as it went in... not digested or broken down at all. They both have virtually no impact on blood sugar levels... the difference is in the form and in the case of soluble fiber it can actually bind with fats and move them out of the body without allowing them to be digested. This is an oversimplified explanation... but I am too lazy to go do a google search and pull up more specifics on the difference.

I believe officially and logically that it is the insoluble fiber that should be deducted to determine effective carbs. Although I don't think the older books make a distinction between the two and is the direction I go.

Keep in mind though that while soluble fiber does not have much effect on blood sugar itself it does aid in lowering overall blood sugar and can even help lower your LDL. It's nice stuff... =)