A carbohydrate mixture for dietetic foods and pharmaceuticals containing several carbohydrates is provided. The carbohydrate mixture comprises two different, substantially soluble carbohydrate components A and B, which remain undigested in the gastrointestinal tract and enter the large intestine without being resorbed. Component A comprises at least one monosaccharide, at least one oligosaccharide (disaccharide to hexasaccharide), or a mixture thereof. Component B comprises a polysaccharide or a mixture of two or more polysaccharides. Component A constitutes 5 to 95 wt-% and Component B constitutes 5 to 95 wt-% of the sum of the Components; and at least 80 wt-% of the carbohydrates/saccharides of Components A and B have a prebiotic effect. The inventive carbohydrate mixture exhibits not only a nutritive effect, but also stimulates health-promoting microorganisms present in the natural flora of the large intestine.