protein bars/shakes for UK based person

inuit

I have lost a few pounds and now I want to up my workouts. Currently burn anywhere around 200 – 400 a day doing 30mins to an hour of exercise. Now I have got into a routine and am enjoying exercise, I want to increase the intensity and add more weights training. I do a few strength exercises, but need to again increase these.

What I have found over the past few workouts, on which I have increased in length and intensity (I mainly swim) that if I am not eating enough I find it hard to get a good workout and my weight loss is quite low, it is OK, but I would like it to be a bit more. I want to ideally lose 2lbs regularly a week.

I work on eating 1200 – 1400 net on the days I do not work out (which is normally only the weekend) and 1300 – 1500 plus half of workout calories (worked out from an HRM). This has been working fine for the low level of exercise I have been doing.

My % of proteins etc is OK, but I want to have a pre or post workout snack for the days I am going to starting pushing myself more. At this point I must say I still have about 42 – 55lbs to lose and when I say increasing my workouts, it is still only 45 – 60 minutes swimming or 30 – 45 mins light jogging/walking, but this is an increase on what I am currently doing and a major change from what I did a few months ago, which was nothing!

Sorry this is a little long winded, but I do not really want to increase the amount of food. I got myself in to a nice routine of finding 1200 to 1400 is a nice amount of food to eat and do not find myself hungry. So what I do not want to do is increase the volume of food as such as once I get closer to my goal weight I do not want to have to cut back on the amount of food consumption. It has took me a while to get into a routine and an amount where i find it pleasurable to deal with and not too much hard work.

So what I am thinking is a protein bar or shake, I have done various searches and there is quite a lot to take in. Also from some threads not sure whether the posters are UK or another country. I will not miss a shake or bar from my daily intake if I do not exercise or cut down in the future to 3 days a week.

So my question is what products do people use in the UK? I do not really want to bake my own, so need a shake that is easy to mix at work or a bar I can eat in the car etc? Just need something that is full of good stuff to help give me more energy to help work out a bit harder and give me extra calories to help maintain a good 2lb a week.

Hope that makes sense.

uk_james

Hi, I've used Sci mx diet shake in the past which supported my weight loss, was doing loads of running too at the time, worked well for me ( chocolate tasted good!).

Having a go at weight loss again now and using USN ultra lean shake mix, choc flavour tastes ok. Got this as its easily available and good value, when for example compared to the maxi muscle stuff. Shake turns out nice and thick. I'd say it's worth a go!

lucybell333

Also try Bounce Protein Hits - little balls of high protein energy. Absolutely delicious and very convenient, they come in peanut or almond variety. I get them from Ocado, but imagine they're available elsewhere. Good luck!

AirCircleI

I used to use MetRX chocolate shakes - they came already mixed in individual packets, which was great. Unfortunately, Holland and Barrett discontinued stocking them, and so I haven't found them since. My trainer has said that Reflex is a good clean protein powder, but I haven't tried it yet.

caroline_g

I use this: http://www.ironscience.co.uk/proteinpowder/wheyproteinconcentrate.html

GetSetGo73

Myprotein.co.uk

MissMaggie3

I'm a vegetarian, and for that reason I looked at the veggie shakes and bars. The ones I now use are actually vegan, and have completely natural ingredients. The protein may be a little less concentrated than in those that use animal products, but I'm no longer struggling to achieve high protein levels.

So in that context, hemp protein powder is good (but I confess, I do mix it with chocolate pwder for reasons of taste!), and Clif Builders Bars have 20g of protein per bar. I get the protein powder from MyProtein.com/uk and the protein bars direct from Clif.

Whatever you decide, good luck with your regime!

inuit

Thanks guys, fancy those protein ball hit things, spent age on myprotein.com but there is soooo much choice. going to check ocado out.