Protein Bars?

Hi guys I'm RNY and 5 weeks out.  I've lost a lot of weight but I'm not getting enough protein.  I don't like the protein drinks very much and would like to substitute protein bars for drinks.  I don't know what to look for in these bars. If you could give me some brand names and where to find them I would really appreciate it. I would also like to know about alcohol sugar and if I'm to avoid it completely or can you have small amouts.  If you can have it, in what quanities. Thanks a lot Randy

Hi -  Have you tried the liquid protein supplements like New Whey or Protica?  They come in pre-measured 3 oz servings with either 25g or 42g of protein.  I've been buying the New Whey 42g at http://www.vigorousliving.com/idssports.html I had my WLS surgery 8 months ago and have tried all kinds of powders, drinks, bars, etc.... These and the GNC liquid protein are the only ones I seem to be able to make myself take consistently to ensure I get adequate protein. Kraft also makes a line of South Beach Diet high protein cereal bars that you might want to check out. Not all of the flavors are high protein so check the lables. The peanut butter flavor has 10g protein and 140 calories. The ones I get are in the cereal isle but they also make a larger version of the same bars as well with higher protein and calorie content.

These are what I use:

Brand	Flavor	Weight, g	Calorie	Protein, g	cal/g of protein ratio	Fat, g	Carb, g	Sugar, g	Sugar Alcohol, g
South beach Diet	Chocolate crisp	60	210	19	11.05	6	26	0	18
South beach Diet	Caramel peanut Crisp	60	210	19	11.05	7	26	1	18
EAS AdvantEDGE	Chocolate Chip	60	230	17	13.53	8	27	2	19
Metrx Protein plus	Chocolate Chunk	85	320	32	10.00	9	32	2	19
Instone Pudding	Milk Chocolate	182	100	20	5.00	2	3	0	0

I can tolerate about 25g of sugar alcohol a meal, so as long as I have a single bar I do not get cramps.

If you look up protein bars on www.netrition.com , you can look at the nutrional info for any item they carry.  I get use the Advantage bars.  You may want to order several single servings to help you determine which bars you like.  As to the powdered protein, most people do like the products made by Syntrax.  You can look them up on netrition.com also.  They make several fruit flavors and under the name of Matrix, they make chocolate and vanilla.  The good thing about Syntrax powders is that they can be mixed with a spoon.  That's helpful if you are traveling and won't have a blender available.  You can pack some powder and add it to a glass of water and mix up a drink.

hey randy, i know a lot of the guys like joe g can eat these bars and do ok but a word of warning. for guys like me it's too much like candy so i stay away from them. very high in sugar and calories. my doc doesn't like them either. since i lift i go for whey protein which is more digestable. so just experiment with the bars at first and make sure you don't jones on them.....carbonblob

Best bar I know of; taste-wise and content; calories/protein vs fat and sugar: Brand: Pure Protein, flavor: Chocloate Deluxe, Smores, or Chocolate Chip Cookie Doug.  Choclate delux is my choice. 1.76 oz, 170 calories, 20 gms protein, 0 sugar, 7 gms sugar alcohol.  The smores flavor has a little more sugar alcohol that makes me fart more but are the few that don't taste like cardboard and are full of calories/carbs and sugar. That my 2 cents.  They work for me, 6 a day (x20 gms = 120 a day plus food) , 2-3 mid-morning snack with water, 2-3 afternoon snack with water, 1 evening snack sometimes with water.  The label says the product should be eaten with 8 oz of water.  I also sometime do a smmothiew with 25 grams of whey protein for breakfast and/or dinner.  If I am on the road otr in the field and a "good" dinner choice isn't easy to access, I'll carry or stop at a drug store and get and eat 2-3 bars for a meal substitute.   Do what works for you.  They help keep me on the straight and narrow.  Throw a banana or an apple in there and there isn't much room for any other kind of snacking.  And if I need a change up, occasionally I'll go to beef jerky chunks bu****ch the fat content or you'll get a kind that will make you icky feeling sick. Joe

Hey Joe, whadaya know (got that from a movie somewhere).  I bought a Pure Protein bar at a vitamin shop yesterday, never tried one before, thought I'd give a shot.  There are 32 grams of protein in the one I bought.  I didnt notice till I got home that the package said to eat with 8 ouces of water.  Do you know what purpose this serves, especially since we arent supposed to eat and drink at the same time?  I havent tried it yet till I find out.  Any feedback you or anyone else can provide would be appreciated.  Thanks. John 

Best I can figure, its is like protein powder rolled into a bar with some flavoring.  The kind you bought is like two of the kind I get but people that don't read lables see 31 gms of protein and don't always notice the 300-400 calories (2 of the 1.76 oz bars at 170 calories would be 340 and the MetRX Colosas (sp??) bar (450 calories) and Snickers make big ones with a bunch of protein but they have too much sugar and fat for me and don't taste good either). The water think is OK with the protein bars.  Think of it as a protein drink you mix in your mouth.  Take a bite chew, take a swig, and chew, maybe a second swig and swallow.  It doesn't inhibit you getting your water in and you're getting your protein in too.  Just don't let it develop into a habit when eating other foods. Joe

I rarely have "Protein Bar" But now and then for snacks I eat the same SouthBeach High-Protein Cereal Bars as Herb- except, my favorites are the Maple-Nut and the Cinnamon & Raisin… for a "portable Protein snack" I prefer something not sweet tasting- OsTrim Meat Sticks Rock! GNC has ‘em. Here’s a ProteinSnacksPost

Best Wishes- Dx

I like Pure Protein bars. I get them on sale ($1.00 for the 1.75 oz) at Shoprite. 20 g protein/170-190 calories. They have a larger size that packs in 32 g protein & about 100 calories more. Also, you might like Instone Protein pudding. 20g protein/100 calories. GNC sells them for about $1.90 per can. Jay