Wendywendy, I order the Quest bars from thelowcarbgrocery.com. Here's the link:
http://www.thelowcarbgrocery.com/cat...oducts_id=4280

There are several flavors available - they come in boxes of 12. Here are the 'stats' for the 'Lemon Cream Pie' bar...

Serving Size 1 Bar (60g)
Calories 170
Fat 6g
Saturated Fat 0
Cholesterol 5mg
Sodium 260mg
*Carbohydrates 25g
*Fibre 17g
*Polyols/Sugar Alcohols 6g
Sugars 2g
Protein 20g

Although this bar had 25g carbs, it also has 17g fibre coing from isomalto-oligosaccharide which is a 100% natural prebiotic fiber which comes from plant sources. The sugar alcohol used it erythritol, which is imo is one of the best - it's 0 on the glycemic index scale. So 'net carbs' in this bar are only 2g. I also like that it's additional sweetening comes from stevia. And I like the fact that this bar has a high fibre level - for the obvious reason of avoiding the big 'C'.

Ingredients: Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Milk Protein Isolate), Isomalto-Oligosaccharide*, Almonds, water, *erythritol, natural flavours, sea salt, lo han guo, stevia.

Why not use that zero carb bread for bread crumbs when you make meatballs, meatloaf, crab cakes, w/ truvia and cinnamon on top of baked mock apple pie (zucchini), etc.?

Evepet,
Do you count the Quest bar as a restricted or non restricted? How does it compare to Simply Bars and some of the others?

Hope you are doing well. Appreciate all that info above re the Quest bars. Looking for more. I found the Simply Bar not sweet enough, and I know that my sweet tooth is my downfall...but if I'm going to have a bar, I want it to taste great, otherwise, I'll just make a cinnamon splenda crepe for 6 carbs.

So you eat these Quest bars and still lose at the same rate? I was scared to death to eat one once I saw the 24 carbs. I have them boxed up but I haven't shipped them back yet. If they are OK, I'll just save myself the trouble.

It's hard to describe the Quest bar, because it has a different consistency to it. It's not 'fudgy' ... it's more chewy. I think it's the high fibre content. I remember being surprised when I opened the first one - it wasn't what I expected at all. But I like them, and find because of the chewiness they take a while to eat - which makes me feel more satisified. I was treating them as a unrestricted, but am wondering now that I rethink it if they should be a restricted due to the fat content? 6g Fat - does that make it restricted? I don't know which of The Simply Bar flavors you tried? Quest is quite different from The Simply Bar - it's sweeter so you might like it better.

This question of what each of us likes and dislikes food-wise is so personal and subjective - it's really hard to judge.

I was eating them fairly often one/day as my 'bar treat' from about from week 3 through to about week 10. So you can see my WI results in my signature line. I treated them as a unrestricted, due to the low net carb content. Although, looking at the overall nutritional info again I do think the fat content is a bit high to treat them as an unrestricted. I alternated them with The Simply Bar and Pure Protein bars. For me - much as I liked the Pure Protein bars - they were too much like a chocolate bar... just made me want another one. I really enjoy the Quest and The Simply Bar(s) but usually feel satisifed with just one.

I stopped having bars on a consistent basis about three weeks ago - and you'll notice that I've been consistently at the -2 lbs loss level since. My weight loss increased a bit when I stopped eating any protein bar on a regular basis. I'm interested in seeing whether I can keep that up going forward. I'm 61 and have found it much harder to lose weight in the last few years. Sometimes, if I find a protein bar that's a suitable match for our IP criteria in a local store, I'll buy one. But otherwise I'm not stocking them at present. As I said above in my reply to Chloe222, I'm hesitant to recommend food products because we all have such different tastes and like/dislikes. But when I decide to buy a box of bars again, it will most likely be one of the Quest flavors.

You can subtract the fibre to get the net carbs.

I made my own thread on here a few days ago but only really got one answer.Was just wondering if this sounds like a good menu to follow every week.I'm new to alternatives and would hate not to lose weight.
SUNDAY ~ Shake,Healthsmart Soup Chicken with Pasta,Healthsmart pudding & shake cheesecake

MONDAY~ Protidiet Pancakes Blueberry,Protidiet Chicken Noodle Soup,Shake

TUESDAY~ Shake,Healthsmart Cream of Chicken,Proti-Thin Gelatin Strawberry Banana

WEDNESDAY ~ ProtiDiet Cereal Honey Nut Soy (no milk),Healthsmart Cream of Broccoli,Shake

THURSDAY~ Healthsmart Hot Chocolate Mint,ProtiDiet Chicken Noodle Soup,Proti-Thin Snack BBQ Soy Snacks

FRIDAY~ ProtiDiet Oatmeal Apple Cinnamon,Shake,Healthsmart Protein Bar Peanut Butter or Healthsmart Protein Chips (we usually have family movie night so I'd like to feel like I have a "treat" too) Think it's my only restricted item.

SATURDAY~ Proti-Thin Sweet Roll,Healthsmart Soup Cream of Mushrooms,Weight Systems Loss Pudding & Shake Cocomint Cream

I know I have a lot of soups for lunch & shakes but I think it's just real easy to get & it's quick...I'm usually alone for lunches anyway so don't want something that takes a long time to make & I'm trying to stay off the bars for now since they are restricted.And I will be adding my 4 cups veggies a day & my ton of water to drink.

Also for the shake....found this one at Shoppers Drug Mart & Atlantic Superstore....called Whey Gourmet Naturelle...Here's a few nutrition facts...

120 satisfying calories
Low in fat, only 2 grams (18 calories) per serving
Low in carbs, only 5 grams (20 calories) per serving
Provides a full serving of protein, 20 grams per serving
Low in sodium
High in calcium for strong bones
Rich in amino acids, especially the branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) which help to build and repair lean muscle tissue

Would that be a good shake to take?

I think I will keep the Quest bars after reading about your success. I am 57, had my thyroid removed years ago and losing gets harder all the time. So, I will use them sparingly as a restricted when I'm having a really good weight loss week. As far as the taste goes, I'm probably the least picky person on the planet. I like almost anything. Some just more than others.

Thanks for the info on the bars and net carbs.

I am going to be extra-extra OP this week. No splenda, no WF, no restricted, measure and weigh everything. I only lost two pounds at last WI.

Mini goal for July 7th WI is -5 pounds. I am going to see if eliminating all the little "allowed" extras make a big difference.

Cyndie 2 pounds is still terrific! try not to be discouraged, the plan is working. I fully believe our bodies let go of the weight at a pace that is good for us, they are remarkable. You are doing great!

I've taken the time to check the nutritional label values of all of the above, and I think you've generally made very good choices. I'm personally using Protidiet Pancakes Blueberry & Protidiet Chicken Noodle soup and enjoy them both.

As you said, the only 2 that would be restricted are the Healthsmart Protein Bar Peanut Butter and the Healthsmart Protein Chips.

One thing though - I noticed that the Healthsmart Hot Chocolate Mint and the Weight Systems Loss Pudding & Shake Cocomint Cream both contain aspartame. IP recommends that we avoid products with aspartame. Maybe you could try the Healthsmart Hot Chocolate - Aspartame Free instead? It's sweetened with sucralose, which is recommended. And maybe select a substitute which doesn't contain aspartame for the Cocomint Cream pudding mix as well. Many posters here have noticed that asparatame creates cravings, and in general aspartame is not good for you.

IMO your Whey Gourmet Naturelle also looks like a reasonably good protein powder choice, however I'm a little concerned that the ingredients include 'cane juice solids'. That's a form of sugar. There are other good protein shake mixes out there that have less fat, carbs and sugars per serving that might be better selections. If you look over the Alternatives threads you may find a better choice.

Hope this helps.

Sounds like a tasty meal selection. Enjoy.

Thank you for replying I forgot to add I selected the aspartame free version of the Cocomint Cream and I feel like an idiot for not noticing the aspartame in the hot chocolate :S I'll only be having it once a week though...better cross my fingers it doesn't affect weight loss too much.

No problem. I hope you noticed that I edited my reply? I noticed after posting that your protein shake mix contains cane juice solids, and I'm a little concerned about that..... maybe look in the Alternatives thread and see what protein powders others are using. I'm sure I've seen others out there that are lower in fat, carbs, and sugar.

Sorry to butt in, but has anyone tried the ChocoRite protein powders? I'm looking at buying the chocolate fudge brownie and peanut butter flavors for when I'm working in maintenance. Not sure how they taste though....

They came up on this thread just recently.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...ternative.html

Also, I've been using the cappuchino flavor for 3 months now, off and on. I quite like it blended with my morning coffee. Not as good as IP, but still quite good. I think when I use up some of my existing protein powder supply, I'll get more ChocoRite ones.