Protein Bars

Hey all, I need some help.  I'm 9 weeks out from surgery, and although my guidelines say I'm supposed to be able to eat the full cup my new stomach will hold...well that isn't happening yet lol.  I can eat about half a cup and any more is too much.  The result is I'm having trouble getting all of my protein in without supplements.  I've also discovered in this process that I am now lactose intolerant, so skim milk based protein drinks are out.  

I'm looking for recommendations for the best tasting protein bars out there, and not too high in calories?  Is there such a thing?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'm supplementing with mixing protein in other things when I can, but I'm pretty tired of that protein powder as well lol.

Thanks in advance!

A full cup at a couple months out is quite a bit, depending upon what is in the cup - liquids or yogurt probably so, heavy fibrous meat or veg is a stretch (so to speak....) Then you get into the issue of what exactly is a cup of spinach - creamed, fresh, how finely chopped or compressed? That's one of the reasons I weighed food rather than depended upon volumetric measures.

With lactose intolerance, most of the milk and whey based ready to drink protein drinks are out, but the powders using 100% whey isolate are usually fine as the lactose is filtered out - mix them with water or faux-milk or add unflavored to other foods.

Protein bars are rare in the 100 cal range, though there are some mini-versions out there. People often just have half on one at a time to meet their needs. The general rule of thumb that many of us use is to find a product that has at least 10g protein per 100 calories. Quest bars are quite popular and come in a variety of flavors and they do have sample packs to try different flavors. They are all about 20g protein and between 160 and 200 calories. Pure Protein bars are similar in numbers, though they generally depend more upon sugar alcohols for their sweetener which some people have problems with - YMMV

Thanks for ideas.  I've got the unflavored protein powder, just tired of mixing it with everything.  I was pretty much told to weigh my protein but measure everything else; I guess because there's a huge difference between 1/2 cup and 4 oz. of salad lol.

Hi Friend - 

We had our surgery the same day. My stomach is still finicky too. Someone at my support group recommended Quest bars.  You can buy them at Walmart or on line.  They have 21 grams of protein and abt. 180 - 190 calories. They come in various flavors and taste fairly decent. Premier Protein has a 30 gram, 290 calorie bar, they taste really good but more carbs.  The other product I love is Chike, mocha flavored, coffee protein shake blended with Fairlife milk.  You could mix with water instead.  It has 20 grams protein.  Hopefully this helps.  Keep up the great work!!!!    

Thanks, Soho!!  You know I'd seen references to Chike but had no idea what it was and kept forgetting to look it up.  I used to be a coffee fiend before surgery, but since have been so disappointed in every cup of coffee I have...nothing tastes right anymore.  I use almond milk to have with Fiber One cereal every morning (best tasting way to get my fiber in), so I think I'll give the Chike a try; maybe it will solve my coffee and protein problems all at once!!!  And look at you, 65 pounds already, you go girl!!!

Oh good, I hope it helps with your protein intake.  The only warning, yesterday I drank Chike too late in the day and couldn't get to sleep until the wee hours of the night.  I can totally relate to everything tasting different.  It is trial and error.  The 65 included my 3 month nutritional program.  We can do it!!!!

Have you tried tuna, or deli ham or chicken? You'll get more protein per calorie than a protein bar, and it will go down easier. Protein bars can be pretty dense.

I have, yes, I eat them for my meals, but was looking for something less filling...as it is I have a hard time eating 3 meals because I feel like I'm still full when it's time to eat again!  I didn't realize the protein bars were that dense, didn't really think about that!  And, unfortunately, I don't like nuts except for cashews and peanuts, and there you have the calorie issue for the few grams of protein you get, so noshing on a few of those for protein is out of the question, too. 

The protein bars that are less dense are higher calorie, and have more nuts. The protein bars that are higher protein tend to sit in some people like rocks. They are very dense. There really isn't a perfect solution.

Your capacity is going to gradually increase over time. In a year, you'll be asking how to stop yourself from eating too much. Not eating enough right now may SEEM like a problem, but it's a better problem to have than eating too much.

Hang in there.

No kidding. I wish I still had that problem!!  ;)

Protein bars are a problem for me. I eat them - but I notice my weight loss stalls utterly whenever I do. Eat two in one day, and I GAIN weight. I only use Quest and Premier Protein... and as a last resort when the kids schedule keeps me from a regular meal.