Can we eat Larabars on Phase 2? - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

SunBear · 05-23-2007, 06:06 PM

Larabars were a big part of my diet before SouthBeach and I was looking forward to adding them back as my afternoon snack... but then I saw we can't have raisins which confused me and I started wondering about Larabars. Anyone know??

Larabars are raw whole foods like unsweetened fruit and nuts molded into a bar. Each has about 5 ingredients or less.

The ingredients for Apple Pie flavor are as follows: Dates, Walnuts, Unsweetened Apples, Almonds, Raisins, Cinnamon

www.larabar.com

I don't know how long I can go without them! I have several cases, lol.

betsysunqueen · 05-23-2007, 06:26 PM

I'm not sure, but it would be my guess that it would be way too sugar (17g) for the amount of protein and fiber (4g and 4g). Dried fruit is very concentrated sugar. While there are some SB recipes (like the oatmeal with dried apricots--one of my favorites!) with dried fruit, I don't think it would be a good daily snack. Maybe it would work to have part of a bar with something else as a snack?

betsysunqueen · 05-23-2007, 06:31 PM

Update: I just checked one of my SB books and it says that dates should be avoided on P1 and P2 and very limited on Phase 3.

SunBear · 05-23-2007, 06:37 PM

Thanks. I just saw that in my guide too. I guess I will try to limit them to fuel before longer runs instead of just an every day snack. I would rather have whole dates any day than the crap in the South Beach Diet Bars. I don't see how they follow any of the original diet concepts??

PS - congrats on your 30 pound loss! Did you do that on SB?

betsysunqueen · 05-23-2007, 06:44 PM

I completely agree with you about the SB-bar products. Most of them seem to contain lots of not-so-good for you stuff. I ate some while I was travelling earlier in the year and they left me feeling hungry and gross.

My Mom (who has been on SB since April and lost about 20 pounds) will eat "limited" foods before her cardio workouts and it works great for her. I think pre-workout would be the best time to have a Larabar. You'd minimize the blood sugar hit that could happen. She'll have a banana or some of her favorite cereal, Kashi Go-Lean Crunch (it's so good, but it has so much sugar!). Anyway, she doesn't have any problems with cravings and it doesn't stall her. I think it has a lot to do with the intensity of her workouts.

Yes, I did lose the weight with SB. I was at 126 pounds and then I moved and started a new job and got married, so I focused on maintaining (Phase 3, but with cocktails!). Now I'd like to lose the rest of the weight that I wanted to lose, so I'm back on. I'm really committed to reaching my goal.

I took a look at your blog--are you a runner? I run too. The only thing I don't like about Phase I is that I don't have much energy to run. I have so much energy in Phase II.

betsysunqueen · 05-23-2007, 06:45 PM

Clarification: My Mom has been on SB since April '06, not last month.

SunBear · 05-23-2007, 09:15 PM

I love to hear about successes like yours and happy to hear you could coast for a little bit and then jump back on to lose the rest. Good for you! Maybe we can motivate each other. I am very committed as well - I have to be if I want to fit into my MOH dress in June, lol. I am already seeing some changes and it feels so good. I can hardly stand not weighing in. Looking forward to Monday.

Yep, I am a runner. I have been for years. I really enjoy it. Great to hear your feedback on energy in phase 1 vs. 2. I am on Day 10 and last week I was so tired I couldn't do a thing! It was hard to sit around like that. Now I am starting to gain momentum and itching to go for a good run but I am in Hawaii and forgot my running shoes. Well, I'm going to buy a pair tomorrow to hike Diamond Head and hopefully do a few scenic jogs before I leave.

I was training for a half marathon last year - up to 10 miles in November (that is when I last weighed my goal of 125). Then the holidays hit and I lost all control and put on the weight so fast. I'm signed up for a 10K on July 4 so I really am glad I switch to phase 2 next week and can pick up the training. I was running 5 miles a few weeks ago but I think I will have to back up and start out slowly.

browneyedgirl77 · 05-24-2007, 09:13 AM

Good luck on Diamond Head it is beyond hot. Make sure you bring a lot of water you will need it. Also if you decide to run on the beaches, the sand is a lot softer so you will sink a lot more than on beaches in the mainland it's double the workout. Man I miss home

beachgal · 05-24-2007, 09:38 AM

SunBear, I agree about the SB bars...the problem with dates is they have IMMENSE amounts of sugar. They are super, super sweet. If you had bars made with raisins, dried apples, dried apricots, etc., I'd think it would be easier to swing it. I eat dried fruit in moderation, and do use raisins, sparingly, as they are super sweet, too, but dried apples, dried apricots, and some other dried fruit (like gooseberries) are pretty low in sugars and high in fiber so they can be a judicious part of your P2 and P3 diet, I think.

I realize it's tough when you have cases of something--either try eating them right before your tough runs, like Betsy noted, or just try selling them on ebay or something. You could try making your own using lower sugar fruits and whole grains.

If you figure something out, do share it with the rest of us, okay?

Good luck with the running--I have SO Much respect for runners!!!