Question:
Protein bars

When is a good time to add protein bars into your diet regimen. I am currently 2.5 months post op from rny surgery, and looking for other resources of getting in my protein daily. Of course, in conjuntion with my powder, meats and dairy. Thanx for any info. you have on the bars!!    — robin.s2000 (posted on February 2, 2006)

February 2, 2006
don't know if there's a "specific time" when you can introduce protein bars, but i've been using them for about a week now (i'm 7 weeks out). i like them because i had a hard time with protein shakes (either they tasted really bad or my body didn't like them). now that i'm off dietary restrictions, i usually have a protein bar (i usually stick to south beach or slim fast high protein since i know they'll be lower in fat, etc.) as a snack to up my protein intake.
   — cdt1334

February 2, 2006
Make sure it is okay with you nutritionist. But I use Revival Soy protein bars (carb smart variety) They taste like a rice crispy treat and have about 19 grams of protein. They may be a bit bulky for you yet but check them out. Only have 608 grams net carbs. www.revivalsoy.com also www.bariatriceating.com has good ones too.
   — ppaige

February 2, 2006
Power Crunch bars are the deal.....everyone on the texas board is eating them...they taste like those old wafer cookies....beware...they are addictive.....:)
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 2, 2006
I have always eaten protein bars...I love the South Beach protein cereal bars...they taste like a rice crispy type thing. I will need to try the power crunch bars everyone keeps talking about though....I don't know where to get them. Take care... Julie
   — J. Stinard

February 3, 2006
My doctor and nutritionist said NOT to eat them.
   — Novashannon

February 3, 2006
I didn't introduce protein bars until I was out about 10-12 weeks; prior to that, I found that they were too dense for me to digest (even eating them very slowly). A few cautions, alluded to by some of the other posters, of which you should be mindful. First, be careful when evaluating how different bars calculate "net" or "impact" carbs. Basically, these are all marketing ploys of one type of another. I find that I am best served reading the label myself and determing what carbs I will probably absorb or otherwise process (which is most). Revival Soy has some bizarre calculation where they subtract "other" carbs; other bars will show a low glycemic index number (which is only helpful in trying to avoid sudden peaks and troughs of your blood sugar level). In short, I will allow myself to exclude the sugar alcohols, but will tend to count all the other carbs that are in the bars. Secondly, some of the more candy-like bars can be addictive. And, over time, as your body adjusts to your low-carb regimine, over-use of bars can be problematic. So, be careful. Lastly, know that your taste buds will change over time (as your body goes into higher states of ketosis). So don't buy cases of a bar you like this week, as you may find it hard to digest in a few weeks.
   — SteveColarossi