Question:
What is the difference between protein shakes and bars??
Is one better than the other? I'm 7 months post op and have a horrible time tolerating the taste and smell of a protein shake, but I have found a protein bar that I like. Is there a problem substituting the shake for the bar?? — Sara N. (posted on August 13, 2003)
August 13, 2003
Sara,
You're not alone in that Protein Shake opinion...there are many of us!!
For me, I say however you can get that protein in ~ Go For It!! I love the
Detour, Uturn and other ABB (American Body Builder) Protein Bars. They
even make a canned shake & fruit punch that I like very much. I get
them at a local gym. If you find any high protein product you like -
ENJOY!! Open RNY 1/3/03 330/215/175
— chelle3081
August 13, 2003
The main difference that I have found is that the bars seem to generally
have more calories and more carbs per gram of protein than the shakes do. I
think that if you have not found a shake that you like then keep trying. I
found one at Trader Joes that tastes exactly like Yoohoo called Pure
Protein. I also like the Real Meals and have used them since 1 week post
op. As far as bars go I like the Detour and Uturn as well as Balance bars.
I have really stopped the bars as I have gotten further out because they no
longer fill me up for long and they have a lot of calories if they taste
good. I save them for that time of the month when I NEED chocolate and
would otherwise eat something I would later regret. Good Luck!
— Carol S.
August 13, 2003
Although Carol is my nutritional guru to whom I typically defer on such
issues (even though she sometimes comes to Support Group meetings draped in
donut crumbs), I would suggest trying the Isopure Zero Carb drinks; they
have 15 grams of protein and no carbs. The Isopure is a clear liquid, not
filling, but is hydrating. Also, I tend to use the Atkins bars because
they tend to be low in net carbs and very filling (in part because they
make me sick to my stomach)-- but, hey, filling is filling. So far, the
best protein shake mix I've found is the Twin Labs stuff which they market
for body builders (a profession from which I am as far removed as is
humanly possible); however, because of the junk they add to help build
muscle mass, it is not recommended as a daily shake for more than a couple
of weeks at a stretch. [Lastly, y'all realize that I was just joking about
Carol-- not about her nutritional knowledge but about the donuts, right?]
— SteveColarossi
August 14, 2003
In my opinion, the difference between protein shakes and protein bars is do
you like your cardboard chewy or drinkable?? lol!! Once you find a good
bar, stick with it! Good ones are hard to find!! Be careful of calories,
amounts of protein, carbs, etc. in your bars, though. You can get more in a
bar than you can in a shake. The bars I sell only have 4 carbs in them...
they taste kind of like a thick, chewy taffy with a crunch in them. They do
NOT taste like vitamins becasue the company doesn't put any of that extra
stuff in them... they are simply protein bars! Now, the shakes I sell... to
me, while they taste better than most... also taste worse than some! LOL!!
I am a bar person, can you tell?? Anyway, like I said... watch the carb
content vs. the amount of protein you get and you should be fine! :~) Good
Luck!!
— Sharon m. B.
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