Power Bars, Kashi Bars, Clif Bars were messing me up

alphaip

I had my metabolism tested and found out I was burning about 2000 calories a day (1400 + 600 of "normal" activity) as a 6 foot 3, 265 pound man. I needed to lose about 40 pounds, but I wasn't dropping much (7 pounds in 60 days - mind you - these are the first "easy" pounds). I was keeping my calories to around 1800, plus working out 5 times a week for 1 hour - Les Mills Body Pump and Body Combat - insane 500 to 600 calorie burns. I was eating right- lean proteins, low glycemic carbs, and eating about 5 times a day (smaller meals). For my 10 am snack and my 3pm snack I was eating power bars. Slim fast optima, kashi nut roll, south beach, Atkins - whatever was on sale. After looking at the label I was like - hey, this is like eating two candy bars a day - no wonder I'm not losing much - that's crazy! The calories were right, but the ingredients were wrong.

So I switched that snack to turkey-breast/rice cake or 1/2 a chicken breast and a small tiny red boiled potato (served cold with salt and pepper) and I've dropped about 10 pounds in 3 weeks. That's all I changed. I'm tired of reading a calorie is a calorie - maybe in the test tube, but not in the body. Just in case anyone else is struggling, maybe that's the trick for you like it was for me...Finally getting things moving....

mrsw510

Wow, good to know. I don't eat any of those but its amazing what can be billed as "healthy" foods. Definately going to start paying more attention to labels.

workoutqueen628

Interesting. It makes sense that you would not lose eating 2 power bars a day b/c those are like meal bars and have tons of carbs. Did you ever try only eating one a day? I try to limit myself to eating these type of snack bars to 1 per week, because yes, they say they have vitamins and all natural ingredients, but really, it is best to eat REAL food instead.

msbanana

So many of those bars are filled with carbs (and not the healthy kind) sugar and fat. If you're going to eat one as a meal replacement it's SUPER important to make sure it's got the right balance. congrats on the weightloss by the way.

:drinker:

kgarcia1226

What I have come to find is that the least processed food is the best food u can eat. The closest 2 nature that is. Once they start processing it, even if it's sold as "healthy", there r way 2 many variables. Plus, some people soak up calories that other people don't & it depends on the person. U need 2 find out what works 4 ur own body.

robin52077

I buy the Clif but only eat about 1 a week. And they are DELICIOUS!

It's usually just when I am STARVING and need to eat something to sustain me until I can get to real food. I like to have one on hand for emergencies. I'd rather pull that out of my bag than hit the Burger King Drive thru out of desperation, right?

feeny

I usually eat a protein plus powerbar once a week on sundays when I have an 8 hour work shift (retail!) and I don't think it's hindered me any.....2 per day probably would though lol.

Joeysgirl

I too like to have protein bars on hand for emergencies I prefer Luna bars because they seem to have the best balance of nutrients I can find, taste the best, and really fill me up! But definitely clean eating is the best option always. . .

Good job on losing 10 pounds in 3 weeks! That is insane! Chicken - I'm just not sure if you can eat enough of it with all of its lean protein, etc etc Keep up the amazing work!

rch0067

Congrats on your workout regime too! Even when you weren't losing that much weight, did your body feel better and your clothes looser? I bet some of the fat pounds turned into muscle-- that's the hardest thing to do!

rh

cdavis1126

I stick with the Luna bars, they seem to be the least in calories and best nutritionist wise. I limit them to one a day however and not everyday. They are nice to keep in my purse in case i need a snack. I eat every 2 to 3 hours all day long and sometimes just can't make it home in time.

kellygirl5538

I totally agree with you and i'm totally addicted to power bars!!!! Cliff ones to be exact. I think i need to limit them to one a week........................... bars are addicting.

Soon2beskinny73

I also was slowed down with weight loss due to the Atkins bars and I was only eating one per day and since taking them out of my plan I am now steadily losing 5 lbs. a week vs. a half a pound to zero a week. So definitely something there Congrats on your 10 lb. loss , that is awesome!!

amtrust

I used to eat the Luna bars....but needed something less caloric. I enjoy the Fiber One bars for a snack...especially the 90 calorie ones. Yummy.

July24Lioness

I also was slowed down with weight loss due to the Atkins bars and I was only eating one per day and since taking them out of my plan I am now steadily losing 5 lbs. a week vs. a half a pound to zero a week. So definitely something there Congrats on your 10 lb. loss , that is awesome!!

More than likely the sugar alcohols are being metabolized like real sugar............

HealthyChanges2010

I buy the Clif but only eat about 1 a week. And they are DELICIOUS!

It's usually just when I am STARVING and need to eat something to sustain me until I can get to real food. I like to have one on hand for emergencies. I'd rather pull that out of my bag than hit the Burger King Drive thru out of desperation, right?

ditto for myself! The only Cliff bars I'd even consider getting for myself in a pinch is the oatmeal raisin, something to toss in the workout bag or cupboard to grab on the run if need be. It would NEVER be a binge food to me so it's safe in my house (lol).

I had tried a couple others and I could eat the whole box and did once ack so they were never invited back for 2nd visit! :grumble: Nowadays I try to do the apple slices and raw almonds or raw almonds and raisins (since I can leave them in my bag indefinitely) so if I need something and don't have much time I can quick grab that.

I think 'SOME' bars can have their place but as shared some are VERY very processed and have a long list of ingredients and we can be fooled into thinking they are equal to food but as was also shared real food is always best when possible.:huh:

Cheers to you for figuring this out and for the great weightloss and getting past the 'stuck' point!!:drinker:

Becca

:blushing: edited for readability!

HealthyChanges2010

I also was slowed down with weight loss due to the Atkins bars and I was only eating one per day and since taking them out of my plan I am now steadily losing 5 lbs. a week vs. a half a pound to zero a week. So definitely something there Congrats on your 10 lb. loss , that is awesome!!

More than likely the sugar alcohols are being metabolized like real sugar............

ack, hate those sugar alcohols!

LittleSpy

I eat both Clif and Luna bars as pre-workout snacks or when I don't have the option to eat something else (as I'm driving between 2 jobs 2 days a week). I'd say I eat about 4 of them a week. It's not like eating a candy bar because it does actually have nutrition (maybe like eating a candy bar plus a multivitamin, lol).

Anyway, I've both not lost weight (because I wasn't eating enough cals) and I have lost weight (after increasing my cals) eating them as well. I don't think they've hindered my weight loss because I've finally got my metabolism revved back up to where I'm losing what I expect to lose with the calorie deficit I've created (around 1.5 pounds/week).

But I certainly agree that one calorie doesn't equal another calorie. Drinking 10 pints of beer a day & taking a multivitamin would definitely not be the same as eating 1600 nutritious calories.

FabiolaEnvy♥

the protein bars is like once or twice a week to eat or even a protein shakes. depending on your workout. like mostly better for muscle building

but yeah. but glad you got things moving for you

i had the same struggle before but i have found out a way and know what works for my body

that is why meal replacement bars are better for meals especially on a go.

dahliagrower11

Absolutely - the more natural the food the better it is overall. The last diet I tried was Jenny Craig.... unfortunately I have high blood pressure - and their foods are all very processed (correct portions but processed) ... and it was good for losing weight but not good for the blood pressure. So now I'm trying to get the 15lbs off this way but just monitoring what I eat rather than using a system like Jenny Craig. (first site response so hope I'm doing okay).

pajamamama

Interesting. I lost 70 pounds 6 years ago using Slim Fast and exercise. And, I was able to maintain that. Granted, I haven't used SF to maintain - just plain old watching what I eat and having a regular exercise program. Now, I am using Slim Fast again to help shed the last few pounds of pregnancy weight. I just started again but it is going well. I definitely would not eat a meal bar as a snack though.

HealthyChanges2010

(first site response so hope I'm doing okay).

You did great on your first post response!!jjohnson2 :flowerforyou:

Becca

mla414

Wow....reviving an old topic, but anyways, i eat 1-2 powerbars a day...havent really noticed a messup. I think as long as you stay within your given calorie range you will be ok. I eat the powerbars because there is nothing healthier to eat in the school

Anyways, i eat them then workout like a mad man to stay within my limit. My opinion.

lipglossjunky73

I only eat those on heavy workout days. If I eat them on other days, I eat them as meal replacement - not as a snack....