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Anyone know of a good protein bar?

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Posted 11/26/2011 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all - I am about 3 weeks out from my TC w/ileorectal anastomosis. I am not a big eater during the day in general, but I am trying to turn over a new leaf here and get in the habit of eating more during the daytime.

This low-residue diet frustrates me because I have always been a health conscious eater but it seems all I have been able to eat lately is highly processed junk food! I know protein is important so I always try to have some with every meal. I've been eating cottage cheese and a couple of crackers or baked lays for my "lunch"...and I have tried greek yogurt or protein shakes but sometimes I just want something to chew! I am wondering if anyone knows of any protein bars that aren't made with nuts or fiber...something easier to digest? I know lots of protein bars are still "processed" but it's better than eating a pop tart or nothing at all. I would absolutely just buy an all-natural food bar but they are all made with fruit/nuts/fiber and I just know my belly can't handle those yet.

Any helpful tips would be so appreciated!

Ali
Posted 11/26/2011 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I do not know of any, but I know what you mean with everything you're allows to ear after surgery! I tried as hard as I could to eat meat, chicken breasts and ate string cheese for snacks. Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are good too, like u said. Check out the protein bars at your grocery store, it should be obvious what's ok and not. Good luck, and hopefully you can be back to your normal diet asap.
Posted 11/26/2011 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
You can make a bar with rice krispy type cereal, peanut butter, and some honey or other sweetener....(or better yet, get someone else to make for you) I saw a recipe on a health food brand of rice krispies.... looked online and found one here http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/healthyer-rice-crispy-treats . They are simple to make. I think there are some that are sold that are like this too, although its' been a while since I had one. Definitely a different texture than yogurt.
Posted 11/27/2011 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
I like the ones called Think Thin protein bars. They have 20 grams of protein and are easy for me to digest. I ate them soon after surgery. I like the peanut butter flavor the most, but they are all good.
Posted 11/29/2011 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
I was going to mention the think thin bars...but you'd have to see how your body reacts to them...don't do any of the crunchy/nutty ones at first...we get the peanut butter ones, too!

It would be best to only try a 1/4 to start off with and increase from there...
Posted 11/29/2011 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's quaker that has some oatmeal ones with cinnamon that I like. They stay with me for awhile if you know what I mean.

I was thinking just look on the label and the less fibre content the better.
Posted 11/30/2011 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the suggestion on the Think Thin bars....I will give those a try as I have been wanting something portable and different to eat, too.

They aren't as high in protein, but the Luna bar Chocolate Raspberry is a soft one with no crunchy bits or nuts and it is pretty tasty.
Posted 11/30/2011 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
I love ThinkThin and eat one every day because of their high protein content. They do have non-nut flavors, lemon comes to mind.

If you're looking for a less processed bar you can try Larabar. They are raw, tasty and also have non-nut varieties.
If you decide to eat them regularly, like I do, the cheapest method to purchase them is on Amazon's Subscribe and Save program. You do not have to pay a fee to use S&S and the savings on any products you use regularly are worth taking advantage of. Shipments come when you want them and you get handy reminders that they are being sent. You can also cancel orders too. I get my probiotics, ThinkThin bars, end Estroven all on Subscribe and Save.

Sue
Posted 11/30/2011 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going to look for those Think Thin bars, as I am still in a zone where I should have extra protein, not always getting it.... thanks.
Posted 12/1/2011 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of the tips! I wish I could eat the Think Thin bars, but they have a sugar alcohol in them that I was never able to eat before (gave me terrible gas) so I am hesitant to eat anything with that in it now.

I did however, find these protein bars called "Power Crunch" protein bars, and they have a couple of flavors that are only sweetened with stevia. I tried one and it didn't bother my stomach at all, and it was VERY light, didn't sit in my stomach like a brick like some other bars do. I won't eat them all the time but I like keeping one in my purse in case I am out or busy and can't eat something "good".
Posted 12/1/2011 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Think Thin is out for me, too if it has sugar alcohols in it. Thanks for the warning!
Posted 12/1/2011 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Wow- I didn't notice the Think Thins had sugar alcohol in them. They were a favorite of mine before surgery, so I just kept eating them especially after the operation when my surgeon wanted me to eat tons of protein because my albumin levels were low. Usually sugar alcohols give me pure liquid output, but for some reason, with the Think Thin bars it doesn't effect my output at all. I eat them when I am hiking, for a mid-morning snack or any time I need some energy. I can eat them on an empty stomach, full stomach, whatever and they have no effect on my output.
Posted 12/1/2011 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Like Suebear, I also love Larabars... even the nut ones. The nuts seemed chopped up enough that when I also chew them, they come through just fine. They don't have as much protein as the Think Thin protein bars though.

Great tip on the subscribe and save program.
Posted 12/1/2011 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
I tried a think thin bar yesterday, even though i noticed the sugar alcohols that I avoided before surgery. Didn't have any problem, but I thought it tasted like nothing .... no flavor at all to me (it was supposed to be peanut butter).

The Larabars made me nervous w/all the dried fruit in them....

I think for now I'll just stick to regular food, as I'm home anyways. Appreciate the tips, though.
Posted 12/1/2011 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Blueheron,

I contacted the ThinkThin company (they're located about 30 minutes from me) because I was upset about them using Manitol. I am intolerant to all fake sugars, they give me faucet like diarrhea. I cannot even take any cough or cold medications as fake sugars are in those products, both syrups and pills. Anyway, the corporate office told me that the amount of manitol in ThinkThin bars is minute. And I think it's true because these bars do not give me diarrhea. This is the only product with fake sugar that I can tolerate and it's most likely due to the small amount.

Sue
Posted 12/1/2011 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
That's good to know, Sue. Thank you for looking into it.

I just bought some bars today called Balance Bar Gold. 14 grams of protein, 200 calories, only 1 gram fiber. They had a chocolate peanut butter and s'mores that both looked smooth from the pictures on the box. I haven't tried them yet, but will report back once I do.
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