Read the panel as a hierarchy
The line for carbohydrate is followed by “of which sugars”. The second number describes sugars within the first; you do not add the two numbers together to find a new total.
Imagine a label with 20g carbohydrate and 5g sugars per bar. It is not describing 25g carbohydrate. It is telling you that 5g of the listed carbohydrate is sugars. The remaining difference is not protein or fat.
Lower sugars does not mean no carbohydrate
Two bars may contain similar total carbohydrate but different sugar amounts. A low sugar figure alone cannot tell you whether a product fits a particular carbohydrate target. Read the number relevant to your question.
Starchy foods also provide carbohydrate. The NHS describes them as an important part of a balanced diet. There is no reason to treat the word carbohydrate as a warning sign on its own.
Avoid importing calculations from another label system
Online discussions sometimes use terms such as net carbs, but packaging conventions differ between countries. Do not automatically apply a formula from a social post to a label using a different system.
For routine comparisons, start with the figures the pack actually supplies, on the same serving basis. If you manage carbohydrate intake for a medical reason, follow the label-reading guidance from your healthcare team.
Make a three-column note
Record portion weight, carbohydrate and sugars together. This helps reveal whether an apparent difference comes from the recipe or simply the size of the bar. Add protein and other information only when it helps your decision.
You can then ask a precise question: do I want a particular serving size, less sugar, or a different overall snack? Each has its own answer. The label is most useful when you know which question you are asking.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked on 4 October 2026.