Protein Bars

Hi Cathy - You are doing great. Follow your program plan protocol and you will do just fine.  All of our programs obviously vary big time!!!!  My program is a bariatric surgery "Center of Excellence" program and is via one of the top teaching hospitals in the nation. It allows a protein snack, in addition to 3 meals, in order to meet your protein goal for the day. Veggies and fruit are also allowed. Just make sure, as your question relates, to eat your protein first to meet your goal. Keep it going girl. You rock!!!!  

Some of the snacks listed on my plan are:  2 slices deli met with 1 slice low fat cheese, 1/4 cup hummus with veggie sticks, protein bar (less than 200 hundred calories, 15-25 gr. protein, less than 15 gr. sugar), 1/2 apple with 1 Tbsp. nut butter, 1/2 apple with 1 oz. cheese, 3 inches banana w/ 1 Tbsp of nut butter, 1/4 c. cottage cheese w/ 1/4 fruit, etc.

Thanks, Gwen and Soho!  Yes, my plan covers snacks as well and the list is similar to yours, Soho.  The problem is that I've barely been able to eat the 3 meals when I should...I've still been full from one when it's time for another (and I've been waiting at least 4-5 hours between meals).  I was trying to eat protein and veg, as my plan says I "should" be able to do.  But by only being able to eat 1/2 cup, that means I was only getting half the protein per meal that I need, so had to rely on protein powder to make up the difference (which I'm sick of already lol).  With this post I was originally hoping that protein bars would be something light I could manage between meals to replace the powder; but I was so wrong!  :)

Now, I see from all the advice that despite what my plan says, it's just too soon to be eating anything but protein.  So, I will put fruit and veg on the back burner, bump my protein up to the full half cup per meal, and then I will be able to get in all my protein with 3 meals with no problem!

Snacks may be in my future but for now, there's "no room at the inn!" lol

Cathy, at your stage I was very big on protein puddings.... sugar free pudding (made with milk - not sure how they taste with milk substitutes, but worth a try) with unflavored Unjury protein powder, two scoops per box of pudding. White chocolate cheesecake was my favorite. The Unjury brand dissolves fully with no grainy feel (unlike everything else I've ever tried). It was a lifesaver for me, especially as I could just mix up a batch every four days. I also added Unjury to ricotta cheese and to cottage cheese - all three in half cup servings that were easy to swallow in about an hour, and packed with protein.

 Hmmm... I think I'll mix up a batch of pudding tonight!  Good luck!

Thank you, Magick!  Funny, I have two boxes of SF chocolate pudding that I forgot about.  I had decided not to fix them because even with the skim milk, I didn't want that many calories (but then I was thinking of it as a "plus" food, not mixing in protein powder.)

I will definitely add that to my repertoire, especially since the almond milk I use is only 30 calories a cup!!  Excellent suggestion, tyvm!

I don't eat ricotta, but love cottage cheese I'm just out right now, but I have also added protein powder to it on occasion.  Now that I'm not worrying about veggies anymore for a while, it's all going to get much easier!

I get the "No Cow Bar"s they are protein bars with very low sugar and 20 grams of protein with (obviously) no dairy.

They are thick and solid and super filling - I can usually eat 1/2 to 3/4 of a bar before I'm full.  

I get them on Amazon or at the Vitamin Store.

*Warning my daughter calls them erasers after trying one.  She is not a fan.

Good luck!

I don't know if you have heard of these two websites:

bariatricfusion.com

bariatricadvantage.com

They have all sorts of protein bars, drinks etc pretty low in calories and high in protein.

I prefer the fusion site.  

good luck

Yes, I have bobjer...those are a couple of the most popular sites.  After all the veteran's advice, I'm skipping the bars and just forging ahead with my regular protein.  :)

I am 12 weeks out as of yesterday and still have a problem with mixing my protein powder with skim milk.  It just sits like a lump.  I've started adding unflavored protein powder to Diet Oceanspray Cranberry juice.  It does turn a lovely shade of pink, but the flavor of the juice isn't altered so it goes down well.  I also eat Oikos Triple Zero Greek yogurt with has 15 grams of protein, especially on days when I just can't do a shake.

I love Power Crunch Protein bars, but they are 200 calories.  I tried Quest bars but I though they were really hard and difficult to chew.  I don't use protein bars often just for the fact that they are so high in calories.

Keep your chin up, you'll be moving on in your food options before you know it!!

Thanks, 99! (Lol can't help but think of Get Smart!)  I never thought of diet cranberry juice, not even sure I knew they made it.  I'm gonna have to give it a try for my other issue--old fave beverages not tasting good to me anymore.  And I always loved cranberry juice!  Thanks for the idea.

As for the protein bars, guess I'm gonna forget about them and just stick with protein for my meals and no veg for the foreseeable future!

Hey don't worry about not being able to eat a full cup at 9 weeks. I think it was over a year for me. Just eat what you can to be comfortable, not stuffed, and emphasize the protein element.

There are protein powders that are soy based or egg white based if you can't tolerate the whey. Protein bars often have whey in them and I don't think they are a good solution to your issue. It make take awhile to work up to your protein levels recommended and don't get to wigged out. Get your fluid in. I use a protein tomato soup that I am not sure if its whey based or not but they are out there. GL. Don't push your sleeve. You will regret it later.  Diane S - 7 plus years out.