Question:
How far out should I be before I can eat protein bars?

I'm still in the pureed phase, about to move onto soft foods. I am having trouble getting all the protein I need and it seems that the bars might be a "quick fix" when needed, but when can I eat them? Thanks!    — jen41766 (posted on August 29, 2002)

August 28, 2002
You probably should ask your doctor but if you chew, chew, chew, it would end up pureed. I started eating them at 1 month. They stay with me longer than the drinks but I know the protein drinks are the best for us. Good luck.
   — MARSHA D.

August 29, 2002
I nibbled on my first protein bar at 6 weeks. I am now 18 weeks post-op and I still can't eat more than a few bites without getting sooooo full. Plus, they don't taste that great. The ones that do taste good are the Zone Perfect bars and they have like 17 grams of sugar and I am not allowing myself sugar yet. I have found a protein drink that I love so I have that for breakfast every morning and it adds 35 grams of protein to my diet every day. Good luck.
   — pam29922

August 29, 2002
I started the bars at about a month out, but ensured that they were well chewed before swallowing. At 6 months post-op I can eat 1/2 to 3/4 of one. I've tried them all and in the beginning was eating the Met RX chocolate peanut butter which has tons of protein, lo carbs and no sugar, but tastes not so good. Over the months I have found a few bars that taste great but I have compromised on sugar and carb contents. I'm a chocoholic so I tend to gravitate towards the chocolate types-my favorites right now are the Balance Gold bars (all chocolate flavors-210 calories/11 sugar/22 carb/15 protein) and the Zone Perfect (fav is the chocolate graham-kind of a chocolate covered rice krispie bar), By eating just 1/2 the bar I can cut down on the sugar and carbs and calories. But for max protein the shakes are better.
   — Cindy R.

August 29, 2002
I am 5 weeks post op and tried the Designer Whey Protein Bars...I tried the Chocolate and the Peanut Butter, but they tasted so disgusting after one bite each I threw them out.....
   — Trish R.

August 29, 2002
Hi, I am 12 weeks out and I have found a great protein bar. It's called Pure Protein and it has only 3 granms of sugar and 30 grams of protein. I usually eat it for breakfast. Sometimes I can eat the whole things, sometimes I can't. It is really good though...don't know how they do it. They are kind of expensive, but worth it for the protein. good luck
   — gloria M.