Quest Bar as an alternative
 

I'm hoping that somebody who's been on alternatives for awhile could review this product for me. I found out on a website for people who eat clean and workout which means controlling carbs:

http://www.questproteinbar.com/?gcli...Fe1_QgodmRMAJg

It looks like it's high in carbs, but it's also high in fiber so net carbs would make this unrestricted.

Anybodies thoughts?

Oh...and it's sweetened with Stevia which is another plus!

Several of us on alternatives have been using the various Quest bars fairly frequently. They are definitely suitable. And tasty. They're mentioned on and off in the various threads about alternatives being used.

It depends on which bar you are talking about.

The vanilla almond, mixed berry, peanut butter supreme, peanut butter jelly, and coconut cashew are no good - calories from fat is more than 30% total calories.

The others look ok.

Some are definitely too high in fat, but the Apple Pie, Banana Nut Muffin, Lemon Cream Pie and Strawberry Cheesecake seem to be ok.

Thank you for reminding me about the fat. So then we actually do go by net carbs right? Is the rule that net carbs of 8 or more is restricted? Then as Scorbett pointed out, no more than 30% of fat from calories?

Thank you everyone for chiming in.

Yes, you go by net carbs (total carbs minus dietary fiber). 8g or less is unrestricted, 9g-16g is restricted, 17g is very restricted.

Alternatives should also be under 200 calories, less than 30% total calories from fat, and at least 12-15g protein.

Okay that makes sense. I was so excited to find some interesting looking bars that were unrestricted that everything else flew out the window about calories and fat. Glad I have you all! :D

These would still be restricted, at least last time I looked at labels.
But the ingredients are much more acceptable to me than all the soy in the IP bars

The ones that aren't too high in fat are actually unrestricted - they use a particular kind of vegetable fiber that reduces the net carbs down below 8g.

Glad this question was asked. I have to go to a conference in California the week after next, and was trying to find a ready to eat unrestricted that I can put in my carry-on. The conference is at the Beverly Wilshire and I can't see pulling out my IP shaker and packet during the breaks.

Rag doll: get the ones from the 100% natural line. They have better numbers.

Thanks for the tip!
I ordered individual bars to try at netrition, and of course the 3 I picked weren't the 100% natural. I did check the nutrition on the bars I ordered and they were ok.
I might stop at GNC on my way home from work tomorrow to see if they sell the 100% natural ones individually. I don't want to have to buy a box in case I don't like them.

What would make it restricted?

Oh why not?! LOL :D

Quest peanut butter chocolate from the natural line are AMAZING!!!!!

They make a combo box. That's what I bought. I think they're all good!

Thanks everyone for your ideas and comments. I didn't even realize they had a natural bar until Lisa mentioned it. I think you can also buy it on Amazon.com which is typically a bit cheaper than stores.

I'm a little confused.... Are you referring to the Quest Bars?
Is there a 100% natural line of Quest Bars and another type of Quest Bars?

Thanks Lisa (or anyone) for clarifying, :) Jen

Right on their website there is the 100% natural & the 9x% natural. 100% has better numbers I got a mixed box so I could try all the flavors if the 100% line

Hi Amber-I use these bars occasionally for snack and so far they are not triggering me to want more like IP bars. The chocolate peanut bar is super yummy and filling.

I also have to say congrats to you on your loss and updated photo; you look fantastic! :flow1:

I'll look for that one then. Thanks!

Oohh.. let us know which ones you try and like. I think I'll get some of these Quest bars and try them. I'm so excited they are sweetened with Stevia! I've been using the Atkins Peanut Fudge Granola Bar and Atkins CHocolate Chip Granola Bar, which are a little higher in fat and calories but my metabolic Dr. told me there were fine for me since I tend to lose weight a little faster when I add a few calories and fat to my plan. However, even if they come under 8 net carbs, I still only have one a day or have half one part of the day and half another part of the day. Protein bars are my way to get through my sweet cravings! ANd I love the price! I still can't believe the IP bars are $27 for 7 bars! Ouch!! I can get the Atkins bars at Target for maybe a $1 a bar. Thanks again for the info!

I found the Quest bars at this website for the cheapest it seems.. http://www.vitadigest.com/quest-nutrition.html. They have a coupon code of "cupid2save" to get 4% off your order and free shipping if you spend over $100. Otherwise, it looks like Netrition has them too. But I think I might order the sample pack from questproteinbar.com website.. and if you use "sample" as a coupon code you get a free sample and free shipping or if you use "hero" as a coupon code, you get free shipping. Thanks y'all!

Morning Hunger
 

:?:Good Morning, almost afternoon now.

I am starting week 4 on IP = down 12.4 pounds. I am really struggling with morning hunger. Even when I have a restricted breakfast (like oatmeal), I seem to still be hungry after I eat. I then drink tea and water to get me through to lunch at 12 noon. This morning I had a mid morning snack of 1 cup celery sticks and WF blue cheese dressing which I enjoyed.

Yesterday I at my protein (meat) for lunch, and that helped. But having my main meal at dinner is just not working.

Has anyone else had the bad hunger in the morning? Also is the Chicken a la King soup retricted? It was very tasty with Brocolli but it is not on my center's restricted list.

Keep up the good work ladies (and gents)!:)

You probably want to post this in the Daily thread (I think Lisa just opened it up) - this thread has a specific subject and you will get more responses if you post in the daily :)

Great thanks!

Thanks for the recommendation...I love PB and chocolate. I can't wait to try it. And thanks on the compliment. :carrot:

Thanks for the heads up. Also at http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Nutritio...st+bar+natural you can get a box (once you know which flavor you like) for $2.06 a bar and free shipping over $25, unless you are a Prime member and it's free 2 day shipping.

I love the Strawberry Cheesecake and Apple Pie...nice to get some fruit flavors!

Hi Everyone! After reading all the posts last night, I decided to pick up some Quest bars. Slowly making my move to alternatives. Shhh, don't tell my coach. ;)

After reading the first couple posts here, I ordered the combo box. Anything that is restricted or no-go for me, I'll give to my hubby or daughter. They look really good, and would make being away from home so much easier!

The banana nut is 9 net carbs. All others in the 100% natural box are 7-8 net. I think they're all 5 g fat. I looked at all labels this afternoon.
A little too sweet for me...I'm just not big on sweets. I'd love it if there were more savory unrestricted snacks!

I'll cross my fingers that the new non-restricted IP garlic & herb potato chips (coming out in May) don't contain soy or gluten for you!

I'm planning for them having one or the other so I don't get disappointed. I already hadmy hissy fit about what i gave up. Thank goodness for potato/zucchini muffins!

Randomly I just stumbled across these bars tonight. So to confirm they can replace a IP bar but are considered restricted, correct? Any input on the coconut cashew?

No, they are actually unrestricted (under 8g net carbs). The bars are made with a particular plant based fiber that is not digestible so it offsets the carbs.

The ones that aren't really good for IP are too high in fat (fat calories more than 30% of total calories). Unfortunately the Coconut Cashew is one of those. It has 170 calories, 60 calories from fat.

Besides fat, you'll need to read labels and do the math. One I have is 9 net carbs (total minus fiber). Some are 8, some are 7. The 100% natural line has better numbers than the 90-something percent line. One is FOUR with higher fat.

That's what I get for posting after working till late at night :)

What I meant to post is that the higher fat items should be RESTRICTED. Not good as UNRESTRICTED for IP. Time to brew the coffee :)

Ok- so does that mean the coconut cashew would be ok but would fall under restricted? It's only 1 gram fat off from the apple pie and 1 gram carb off from cinnamon roll. Sorry- I'm new to alternatives. :dizzy:

Yes.

Unrestricted items have 8g or less NET carbs

BUT - if they are higher in fat (if the calories from fat is more than 30% of the total calories), treat them as a restricted. IP does the same thing with their soy nuts.