Simple Carbohydrates – are the carbs found in white potato, white rice, white breads, and lots of other processed foods. While these are generally considered not as heart healthy and more fattening, some simple carbohydrates, like those found in fruits and natural sources, are actually good for you carbs.

Complex Carbohydrates—are those carbs found in whole grain breads, sweet potatoes, whole grain pastas, etc. These are considered more healthy, and an essential part of a balanced diet.

So what are Net Carbs? First let’s just clear the air about one simple fact: Carbohydrates are not only healthy and nutritious, but are also important for your diet and weight loss. What’s important is choosing the right carbs that will keep you feeling satisfied, and will add to your heart healthy diet. The more fiber that is contained in a particular carbohydrate, the more filling it will be, and generally the more nutritious as well. Net Carbs is a calculation: total carbohydrates minus total fiber. The lower the number, the lower excess carbohydrates for your body to digest, and eventually turn to fat.

Following a heart healthy diet that incorporates healthy carbohydrates will help you lower cholesterol and lose weight. Speak to your doctor about cholesterol medication like Zocor, which can be taken in conjunction with an appropriate diet and exercise

But here is what many do not know about Splenda and probably should: a recent Duke University study found evidence that high doses of Splenda (up to 1000 mg/kg) reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines of rats by up to 50%, increases the pH level in the intestines, contributes to increases in body weight and affects the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the body in such a way that crucial health-related drugs could be rejected.  Increases in body weight?  Yep, that’s what you read.  Another report suggests sucralose is a possible trigger for some migraine patients and yet another study linked doses of sucralose equivalent to 11,450 packets per day in a person to DNA damage in mice.  Maybe Splenda is not so splendid?  You be the judge.

One more thing: though allergic reactions to sucralose have not been documented, individuals sensitive to maltodextrin or dextrose should consult a doctor about using any sweeteners containing these fillers.  Critics of sucralose often favor natural alternatives, including xylitol, maltitol, isomalt, & stevia which you may want to consider if you are now skeptical of Splenda.

My Glenny Soy Crisp story began when I came upon these in a neighborhood store, and decided to try them, not paying any attention to the ingredients or the nutrition info.  I popped one in my mouth and was literally floored: they were amazingly yummy.  So much, that I ate the whole 3 oz. bag.  But here’s the thing: you don’t need to feel guilty and this is why:  the whole bag contains 3 grams of fat and 170 cal.  So, I have purchased bag after bag since and the barbecue flavor easily surpasses in flavor my favorite BBQ potato chips and of course, I don’t have to hit the gym for hours to burn it off.   These chips help curb my snack attack because they are loaded with protein and little to no fat.

What’s more, eating a few small healthy snacks between meals helps with weight loss by keeping cravings down plus if your meals are not perfectly balanced, snacks can help you meet healthful guidelines for calcium and protein intake.  Studies have even shown that eating several small meals a day instead of three large ones is better for your health and helps your weight loss by keeping your metabolism revved up.  You know you can’t beat that.  Plus now the FDA recommends 25 grams of soy protein a day may reduce the risk of heart disease. Increasing the amount of soy in your diet is easy to achieve with Glenny’s snacks. One serving contains 9g Pure Non-GMO Soy Protein, which is more soy protein than tofu or soy milk.   Finally, 100 Calorie Glenny’s snacks let you control your portion sizes and properly count your calories so you can stay fit and slim.

Yes, calorie-counting teens and grown-ups who still crave the real thing can also grab a stack of Swoops for their chocolate fix. They’re made from Hershey’s original recipes, but have less than half the calories of a normal chocolate snack.  The new Swoops because they totally satisfy chocolate cravings when you want a taste of something ‘bad.’  Just take one or two and shove them back in the box, or indulge in more if you dare.  Swoops are a great way to have not too much of the real thing, their carb-free chocolate flavor is smooth and creamy, with a bit of powdered-sugar sweetness to it, which like most no-carb candies, contains a mix of sugar alcohol and Splenda to give it the right texture and sweetness combination plus inulin, which is a healthy fiber.

The little bars are a good size for munching on when you get a chocolate craving and the soy crisps are great too; a lot like a Nestle’s Crunch Bar, they come as plain chocolate and a nut version.  At only 1g of carbs per bar, this is the perfect treat for those on a low carb diet who get that intense chocolate craving. Also, the bar doesn’t have any trans fats, either so there is virtually no guilt!  As we all know, chocolate isn’t very nutritious, but Hershey’s has now given us something great to get you through a choco-craving while you watch those carbs.  Enjoy!