This actually could have gone in a few different forums.... so go ahead and move it to wherever it is appropriate.
My psychiatrist recommended that I keep Slim Fast bars on me for times when my blood sugar gets low and I am not able to eat a healthy meal/snack.
I have hypoglycemia and bi polar and I know that the low blood sugar can trigger a pretty nasty attack for me.
He said the Slim Fast bars pretty much taste like saw dust... so what bars would you recommend? I would prefer something low in sugar, high in protein and not tasting like sawdust LOL.
Normally, I am thinking I would like to keep a little lunch cooler with me that carries some yogurt, fruit and string cheese and maybe nuts but right now I am unemployed and living with friends so they are feeding me. I don't have much say over my diet but I think I can afford to have some bars in my purse for emergencies and I have some control through calorie counting.
Cliff bars are pretty good.... or Zone perfect bars. You just have to be careful with these bars because they contain high amounts of vitamins, so be careful not to overdose. They also contain lots of sugar. carbs, fats, etc because they're meant to be a meal, not a snack. What about taking some crackers with you something...or like 100 calorie pack of your favorite crackers?
I do already take a multivitamin with iron plus a super B complex with folic acid so I might have to think about that.
Generally, I will be eating 200-400 cals 4-6 times per day so if they are around 200 cals for one bar then I guess it would be a "meal replacement" anyway.
Crackers would be ok.. but high protein and lower on the complex carbs is actually better for my blood sugar.
Maybe a little zip lock baggie of almonds and a couple of individual packages of string cheese kept in my purse?
For bars, I like Cliff Nectar bars. Other handy snacky things are beef jerky or some dried mango. Freeze dried sugar snap peas or fruit are also portable and tasty.
I like the South Beach Diet Snack Bars - They aren't a meal replacement, as there only 100 calories a piece, but you could have two, as they are pretty small.
What about carrying a piece of fruit for some sugar as well - I can't really eat most fruit since my food allergies got out of control, but I used to love having fruit for snacks.
from the website:
high protein bar for an active lifestyle
Our all natural high protein thinkThin™ bars are draped in rich delicious chocolate and delivers 20g of protein. Rated one of the top protein bars in the natural industry, thinkThin is the ONLY naturally sugar-free, high protein bar for an active lifestyle. Our thinkThin bars also appeal to consumers with special dietary needs because they are gluten free, have 0g of sugar and offer diabetics an alternative healthy protein snack.
* Gluten Free
* 20g Protein
* 0g Sugar
* No Cholesterol
* Fortified with 18 Essential
Vitamins & Minerals
* No Transfat
* Excellent Taste
Last edited by Shannon in ATL; 03-22-2009 at 06:42 PM.
If you have a Trader Joe's around you, they have these Zen Fiber Cake muffins that are only 80 calories each. Be careful, because there are muffins that are much more, so check the labels. They are very high in fiber, which ends up feeling very filling.
When I need a quick meal replacement (about once a week) I go for Cliff Builder bars, which have 20 grams of protein for 270 calories. The chocolate one is quite delicious!
I really like the Pria snack bars- they're like 110 calories I think. The mint chocolate one is the best.
Special K has some protein bars out now and they also taste great.
My husband eats the "real" meal replacement bars every day. I have hated every single one that he's tried. These are the only two this picky girl will eat.
Are you on any special restrictions like....sugar alcohols, carbs, sugars?
For me the Oh Yeah Wafer bars, Atkins Advantage, Pure Protein, and Power Crunch. All of these are relatively low in the above and I have a problem with low blood sugar and have to eat about every 3 to 4 hours or sooner. These have served me well and are palatable. I love the Labara (sp?) Rock and Roll bars, but have to be very careful with these.