If you are looking to sample, GNC is still running their buy three get one free promotion. I've been trying all sorts of flavors! These are my favorites (in order):

1. Coconut cashew (This one is higher fat and calories than others so I count it as restricted. I think some people count it as super restricted, but since I walk to and from work (4 miles round trip) each day and work out with my trainer twice a week, I feel like I'm ok with the extra fat and calories)
2. Strawberry Cheesecake
3. Apple Pie
4. Cinnamon Roll
5. Brownie
6. Vanilla
7. Lemon (and I'm a lemon LOVER usually. These taste a bit Pledge-y to me)

Thanks for sharing about these. I've been super board of drinking my proteins and these have been a lifesaver!

Since they are all over 150 calories, I count them all as restricted.

There are two that come close to a non-restricted based on fat/carbs, but both have 160 calories (IP non-restricteds are under 150 but usually lower than that). Those flavors are Choc/Peanut Butter and Strawberry Cheesecake. Both 5 g fat & 8 net carbs. Lowest of all the Quest bars. Based on fat/net carbs, some may choose to count them as non-restricted. I also look at the calories.

I agree. I only eat the higher calorie ones on days I go to the gym or as a restricted. The Strawberry Cheesecake I splurge on as a non-restricted with higher cals. :) I should have put that all in there. The one I'm most wary of is the delicous coconut one because I would eat it 3x/day if I could!

I had my first yesterday, the banana nut muffin, 170 calories. What I did, since I use MFP, was just make sure I kept the overall calories for the day low, eating leaner meat for dinner and lower-cal protein packs. Most of my IP and IP alternatives average 100 cal/15-18 protein, so these are on the very high side especially for me. *Diabetic. I do like the high fiber content. And it REALLY filled me up for hours. I won't eat them every day, but it was a wonderful, wonderful treat I will look forward to now and then.

I feel that way about the cookie dough one
Danger! Will Robinson!
It is on my banned list.
I used to binge on cookie dough and these are just too good.
They just taste like "more" to me.

Good thinking Lisa. It's always helpful to know your own personal "triggers."

I read in some IP literature that Dr. Tran recommends (especially in maintenance) avoiding things that "taste like more." I believe he cited nuts as one of those items.

I haven't heard "tastes like more" before. That's an interesting way to phrase it!

Mine are potato chips and chocolate. I stay away from the crisps for that reason, and the only chocolate flavors I consume are the IP chocolate drink or the pudding/shakes, and I have them as my evening snack so I don't have the need/urge to get more.

I bought two bars at a nutrition store a few months ago when I was looking for a snack on the go. Totally forgot about them!

Just bought a naturals variety box from quest, can't wait to get them!

Stopped at my local GNC this morning...they are on sale, buy 3, get 1 free.

I bought 12 (equal to what's in a full box) for the price of 9, which came out to the same price as the Quest website, if anyone is interested.

Can't wait to try the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough tomorrow!

We got our 2nd box in the mail today. I used the "hero" coupon code and was just happy to get the free shipping. Also got an extra bar for being a "loyal customer" so I am really happy about that. With the extra bar they came out to $1.92 each.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. I just ordered 12 bars using the "Mixbar,Hero" combined discount and saved almost $7. I am hoping that they will prove to be a cost and weight-loss effective alternative to the IP bars.

I was especially interested in these bars because they are made with Stevia. I have serious concerns about artificial sweeteners, including sucralose/Splenda used in many IP foods. For this reason, I purchased only bars in the All Natural Line. (Too bad, though, because that chocolate chip cookie dough bar looks sooo good. Though I share concerns with those who fear it may trigger a binge.)

I just wanted to point out that all but the banana nut muffin bar is also sweetened with Erythritol. Dr. Mercola has some concerns, though at least based on what he has written here, they don't raise a lot of alarm bells for me, certainly not compared to sucralose and aspartame: https://plus.google.com/photos/10576...58809396969793

Thx for all the Quest bars info!
Just had my first bar, strawberry cheesecake, pretty good
and picked up a few other flavors too. Hopefully save alittle
$$$!!!! :)

Anyone have a new shipping discount code? Appears "hero" has expired (or it was only good for a single use).

New promo code for free shipping is ONAQUEST

THANK YOU!!!

GD! I wish I logged on to 3FC before I went out and bought a box at The Vitamin Shop! I just bought the Choco peanut butter and it's not bad.

If you go to their website you can get the All Natural Sample Box for $25.99 with the free shipping. My last order they sent an extra bar so the total per bar price was $1.92. I use USPS and it usually takes 4 days to get the box.

Dam! I just paid $26.99 for 12. I'll remember this for next time.

The other thing is the ones directly from Quest are fresher. Sometimes the ones from GNC and other stores have a tendency to pull your fillings out as they're tougher and stickier.

I agree, the ones from quest are very fresh!!!

Just wanted to mention that the cookie dough bars don't really meet the IP requirements. To meet IP standards they must have 30% or less calories from fat, these bars have 190 calories, so the fat calories would have to be 57 or less, these are WAY higher than that, at a whopping 70! I would steer clear of these particular bars, I believe the Peanut Butter Supreme fall into this category as well.

http://www.questproteinbar.com/store...gory=2#details

I use them and love them. As a side note I really like them in the warmer weather to stash in my truck, not so much this time of year as they are rock hard! But in the warm weather they don't melt like my Pure Protein bars do.

Those two actually are ok, but should be treated as a restricted item.

I'm pretty sure they don't meet the guidelines, even for restricted. I've quoted Scorbett as a resource, but I know I've seen the info from others on here too.

The Quest Cookie Dough bars have the following nutritionally speaking:

190 calories
70 calories from fat

21g carb-17g dietary fiber = 4g net carbs
21 g protein

Because the fat calories are more than 30%, but the net carbs are "technically" in the unrestricted range, this can be used as a restricted item (kind of like the IP soy puffs or some of the wafer products).

The ones that are NOT compatible with IP are the ones that have more than 30% calories from fat AND high enough carbs to make them restricted. That's a double whammy you want to avoid.

Since most of the unrestricted IP products I eat are in the 100-calorie range (80-110) and my only IP restricted I eat (White Cheddar Crisps - everything else has soy or gluten) has 160 calories, I count ALL of the Quest bars as restricted and Quest Bar over 200 cals I wouldn't eat while on P1. This is just me. Not trying to debate what anyone else is doing. I'm still mostly using IP products but had to supplement with alts due to cutting out both soy and gluten.

IP Bars are restricted so it's easy for me to just count bars as restricted. I'm not a speedy loser so I'm probably better off managing my bars this way.

On another note: I had to banish the chocolate chip cookie dough Quest bars. They set up crazy cravings in me. Anything that "tastes like more" needs to be severely restricted in my life to maintain sensible eating behaviors. I guess the only way I can have one is to order ONE. But why risk it?

I concur on the cookie dough bars. I think I might not be able to buy any more of those suckers... Sooooo good.

I had one for lunch, microwaved, and brought it to a meeting. My coworker said she was about to lunge across the table and grab it from me because it looked and smelled so good. Lol

I also count all Quest bars as restricted.

Even though the net carbs are very low, the calories are higher than most IP non-restricted packets.

http://www.lamberjules.com/wp-conten...ive-Food1.png#

I get asked quite often on how I pick my alternatives and how to decide if it's restricted or unrestricted so maybe this will help everyone. You an add it to your desktop or print it out.

I haven't tried the cookie dough bars and after your comments I think I will stay away from them.

I agree, I stick with the lower cal quest bars and have one with
2 cups veggies everyday for lunch at work, I never know if Im gonna have a
ten minute lunch or a half hour, so i need to bring something I can eat and will keep me satisfied till dinner, which they do. Thankfully!!

have a great OP day!
D

Just ordered a Natural sample box from Quest. Can't wait until they come in to try them!

I'm sure you all saw this, but if you set up an auto-order (monthly or bi-monthly) you can get a 10% discount on whatever you order directly from Quest. Pretty rad.

Picked some up at GNC Wednesday. So far I have tried the apple pie (yum), cinnamon roll (yum yum), strawberry cheesecake (ok) and banana nut muffin (ok). I have not felt the need to eat more than what's in the package. I really don't have that urge with packaged things. I just eat what's in the package. This has gotten me in trouble before IP.....a bag of chips, a bag of cookies.....I guess having smaller packs is what I needed. Oh, and a detailed eating plan to follow. :)

Thanks for the alternative cheat sheet Lamberjules! It's good to have everything on one small sheet.

I purchased a Quest variety pack & so far haven't found a flavor I don't like. I treat all the Quest bars as restricted.

Does anyone else find that they are particularly gassy after eating these? Not gassy, but GASSY!

I bought the chocolate brownie bars and I am killing my family. Do the natural ones do this too?

Nashuanutrition.com coupons code for free shipping on orders over $49 until Easter! Coupon code EASTER10:carrot:

Interesting! I've not experienced this with the Quest bars, but I definitely have this experience with other bars that have fake sugars in them. YIKES! It can be terrible. Detour bars, for example, are a no-go for me.

I've only been eating the 100% natural line. Sugar alcohols can do that tho