Help with lightening up this recipe

W95831
on 4/3/12 2:12 am, edited 4/3/12 2:17 am - CA
I found a link to a recipe for OMG Almond Joy Protein bars:
http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/276918/135720/loss-ma intenance 

It looks delicious, has a really nice punch of protein and very little carbs when compared to a lot of other bars.  Unfortunately, its really heavy in calories and (to me) fat. 

What are some ways that I can lighten up some of the ingredients?  Because there's no real cooking/baking involved, are my options very limited on trimming this down a bit?  Thanks!

Nutrition information:
273 calories, 18 grams protein, 8 grams carbohydrates, and 21 grams fat per bar


Ingredients

  • 1 square unsweetened Baker's chocolate
  • 2 Tbls. Butter
  • 2 Tbls. heavy cream
  • 3 packets of Stevia*
  • 3 scoops Syntrax Nectar Protein Powder Chocolate Truffle
  • 1 c. chopped raw almonds
  • 1/2 c. unsweetened shredded coconu
  • 2 Tbls. Sugar-free DaVinci almond syrup (or SF vanilla, or SF coconut)

 Directions

    1. Place chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe dish and microwave 1 min. Do not overheat! Remove from oven and stir until completely melted.
    2. Add Stevia and cream and stir until incorporated.
    3. Add protein powder, almonds, coconut and stir well.
    4. Add the syrup and mix thoroughly. The "dough" will become stiff and you may have to knead it with your hands.
    5. Line a bread loaf pan with plastic wrap and press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan.
    6. Chill until firm. Cut into 6 large bars. Keep refrigerated or store in zip-lock bags and freeze. 
Getting back on track 10yrs later after a REGAIN of approx 35lbs
Surgery weight:  277lbs             Goal/maintenance weight: 135lbs
 
W95831
on 4/5/12 4:05 am - CA
I did some experimenting the other night and ended up adding 2 scoops of protein powder (I used Any Whey unflavored protein instead of Syntrax).  In addition, I used half the butter and almonds.  I also swapped (and slightly increased the amount of) skim milk for the heavy cream.

I got it down to 208 calories per 6 bars (18g protein, 13g fat, 4 net carbs). 
If I cut it into 8 bars, the calorie count goes down to 156 (14g protein, 10g fat, and 3 net carbs)!

The bars are sooo yummy!  My husband was BEGGING me to let him lick the bowl!
Getting back on track 10yrs later after a REGAIN of approx 35lbs
Surgery weight:  277lbs             Goal/maintenance weight: 135lbs
 
jlmartin
on 4/7/12 11:16 pm - Random Lake, WI
 Almonds and coconut is at least 70-80% fat.  Healthy, but it is what it is.

You could substitue say oats which are less calorically dense but then the carbs go up.

You can't be low cal, low fat, low carb all at the same time.  There will be trade-offs
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