Random Question

Do you get bored with the protein shakes or protein bars?

The reason I ask is that most protein bars seem to be of the chocolate variety. Now do not get me wrong I like the protein bars I eat (Think Thin protein bars which are sugar and gluten free) but just a little tired of them. It has gotten to were I want to avoid chocolate anything even if it is something I can and should eat. I am even a little tired of the shakes as I do not always have time to change up recipes and fine tune them to my taste. I recently found a place that makes a sugar free chocolate chip protein cookie which is high in fiber but I can only handle eating one. Now, I do get plenty of protein roughly about 100 grams as my nutritionist has me eating foods low in carbs but high protein such as low fat cheese and low fat yogurt. I know our taste buds change after the surgery and that there is some foods we can no longer tolerate. Unfortunately, I have a hard time eating chicken unless it is shredded, and I am finding foods I have eaten within the last couple of months I no longer can tolerate such as extra lean meatloaf, which I have tried endlessly to adjust the recipe to tolerate it better. I have recently taken up baking things such as scones thanks to Carbquik. I am thinking if I want to ditch the protein bars that I need to make my own protein baked goods such as scones. I am going to talk to the place I buy the protein chocolate cookies from and find out what type and brand of protein they use in their products. I guess also I really need to try add more variety to my menu of items I eat through out the course of the day. 

I have only had 2 protein bars since surgery, so I have no real opinion of them.  I used to eat Luna bars regularly, but they unfortunately do not fit into my nutritional plan.

As for the shakes, they are my main source of protein, and I am not bored with them.  I had such a horrible time finding one I could tolerate, so I am just thankful I enjoy them as much as I do.

I had a hard time with the shakes also and then someone on the board mentioned about blending shakes with fruit and such. So, I do that every so often with my shakes which to me is not very convenient. It is why I search for a protein bar that I could tolerate, sugar free, and not loaded with calories. I have tried some like the Oh Yeah brand that tast like cardboard covered in sugar free chocolate. I normally only eat one protein bar or drink one protein shake a day and the rest of my protein comes from my diet.

 Hey Liquidman69,

Do you like peanuts??? If so and if you have a Vitamin Shoppe near  you go there and get you a Rock and Roll protein bar......it tastes almost identical to a PayDay candy bar.    It is delish !!!  There are lots of peanut butter protein bars out there too and some of the Pure Protein bars are not chocolate either.    I am with you....we need a variety so we won't get burn out on the protein bars and shakes.    

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

I will have to check into that  the next time I am at the Vitamin Shoppe. I will look again at some of the Pure protein bars also when I am there. When I do have time I do try to mix things up with the shakes. I know it is early in my journey to already get burned out  a little but It seems as time goes by something usually disagrees  with with me . I used to make potatoes baked in the oven with onions, chives, italian seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, but those have begun to not be able to tolerate them. It okay since I am suppose to limit the amount of potatoes I eat. It seems when I explore new foods I can eat and tolerate I lose a food or two that I cannot tolerate anymore. I believe I may be a little burnt out. which I why I presented this question. Thank you for your help.

 You are so welcome.   You may also want to check out the Recipe Forum here on OH also.   Sometimes someone posts some homemade protein bar recipes that sound really good.   Good luck to you with your exploring new things to eat.

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

I gave up on protein bars. They are usually way too high in either calories or carbs and not enough protein to offset either. The few I do have are non-chocolate.

My shakes have narrowed down to mostly hot protein chai tea and a double fudge chocolate shake that I use more for a meal replacement when I'm on the go because of the calories but it sure is good!

The protein bars I found are little high on the calories and low on the carbs which is was one of my goals. It actually helps to get the 1800 calories a day my nutritionist wants me to eat. The bars I eat have roughly 240 calories but have 20 grams of protein so this bar is planned as a snack. Finding a protein shake that taste good to me has been a real challenge and so I gave up the search for protein shakes and instead focused on adding things such as fruits and yogurt to make a protein smoothie. I just afraid I am getting burnt out on protein bars and protein shakes. Thank you for responding.

on the meat...marinate, marinate, marinate.  Also helps to add some meat tenderizer.  Both will begin to break down the meats...which is what makes them more tender...before you even eat it.  Thismakes it easier to tolerate.  I even make my eggs with meat tenderizer, otherwise its like eating a lump of cotton balls.

On making your own bars...great idea.  I make muffins, bars, cookies and even protein pancakes.  I use Optinum Nutrition and it holds up well.  Just don't make more than you'll eat becuase it does go bad quickly.  I like making them in a coffee mug of a 1 cup size bowl. Add some almond meal, wheat bran, flax seed and I use torini flavored syrups to change up from lemon, to chocolate, berries or almond rocha.  Also, consider savory protein muffins...instead of adding fruit or nuts, add in cheese and meats. Egg Face (OH member) has a blogspot with tons of good ideas. Also most of the Protein brands have recipes on their sites and consider looking on weight training sites like Muscle.  They focus on low car, high protein.

I have always marinated meats and have tenderizing seasoning that I use also.  You have given me some other ideas though and another place to look which is always helpful. I just want to have a variety of items at my disposal nit be limited to the same old routine of choices. Thank you for the new ideas and the help overall.