Addicted to energy/protein bars

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Replies

  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    CamGoddess wrote: »
    naomi8888 wrote: »
    TenderBlender667 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    CamGoddess wrote: »
    You're welcome. I'm very iron deficient anemic, too. And I have very heavy monthly.
    Red meats help, and other foods that contain iron. Or take a supplement.
    The basic straight iron pills make me queasy. I've had a much better time with the expensive supplements that are formulated to be easier on your stomach.
    If you don't like red meat very much, canned clams are yummy and high in iron (depending on the brand, compare the labels). Hope it helps!

    @TenderBlender667 - are you supplementing for your anemia? I have no digestive issues with Solgar - Gentle Iron 25 MG 180 Vegetable Capsules. I need to take two per day and do the other things below to keep my levels up to Low Normal.

    I have 1 T of blackstrap molasses daily in warm water. This is 20% of the RDA.

    I eat 12 oz of Wellshire liverwurst over the week of my period. 2 oz has 39% of the RDA of iron for someone eating 2,000 calories per day. This brand is only available at Whole Foods but in a pinch I will use other brands from supermarket delis.

    I do some other things during my period but have to run and get dinner going - LMK if you are interested.

    Don't be like me and ignore your anemia off and on for years until you start having drastic negative consequences ;)

    Yes, I'm currently taking Floradix liquid iron, but I haven't noticed an improvement in my energy levels. Doesn't help that my B12 levels are nonexistent. Heavy monthlies and years of an unhealthy vegan diet probably contributed to my problem.

    I used to make my own version of a caffeine free latte which consisted of molasses, warm almond milk and a dash of cocoa or cinnamon. Thanks for reminding me to start drinking it again!

    I don't think the grocery stores around here carry liverwurst, but I'll take a closer look next time I go shopping. Thank you for all the amazing suggestions.

    Have you spoken to your doctor about an iron infusion? It's a quick and easy way to increase your iron levels. You will feel so much better within a few weeks!

    I haven't heard of that, is that an injection? Or like an IV drip. And is it a one-time thing or something done monthly, quarterly, etc.

    I know they have B12 shots, which I've heard are very effective on people's energy levels when they are low on B12.

    Just be careful if you consider the infusion (I don't know how often it's needed or anything else). My sister had a severe allergic reaction when she had one. Of course, that can be said of anything, really. A lot of people get the injections and are just fine. She just wasn't one of them.
  • CamGoddess
    CamGoddess Posts: 28 Member
    veganbaum wrote: »
    CamGoddess wrote: »
    naomi8888 wrote: »
    TenderBlender667 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    CamGoddess wrote: »
    You're welcome. I'm very iron deficient anemic, too. And I have very heavy monthly.
    Red meats help, and other foods that contain iron. Or take a supplement.
    The basic straight iron pills make me queasy. I've had a much better time with the expensive supplements that are formulated to be easier on your stomach.
    If you don't like red meat very much, canned clams are yummy and high in iron (depending on the brand, compare the labels). Hope it helps!

    @TenderBlender667 - are you supplementing for your anemia? I have no digestive issues with Solgar - Gentle Iron 25 MG 180 Vegetable Capsules. I need to take two per day and do the other things below to keep my levels up to Low Normal.

    I have 1 T of blackstrap molasses daily in warm water. This is 20% of the RDA.

    I eat 12 oz of Wellshire liverwurst over the week of my period. 2 oz has 39% of the RDA of iron for someone eating 2,000 calories per day. This brand is only available at Whole Foods but in a pinch I will use other brands from supermarket delis.

    I do some other things during my period but have to run and get dinner going - LMK if you are interested.

    Don't be like me and ignore your anemia off and on for years until you start having drastic negative consequences ;)

    Yes, I'm currently taking Floradix liquid iron, but I haven't noticed an improvement in my energy levels. Doesn't help that my B12 levels are nonexistent. Heavy monthlies and years of an unhealthy vegan diet probably contributed to my problem.

    I used to make my own version of a caffeine free latte which consisted of molasses, warm almond milk and a dash of cocoa or cinnamon. Thanks for reminding me to start drinking it again!

    I don't think the grocery stores around here carry liverwurst, but I'll take a closer look next time I go shopping. Thank you for all the amazing suggestions.

    Have you spoken to your doctor about an iron infusion? It's a quick and easy way to increase your iron levels. You will feel so much better within a few weeks!

    I haven't heard of that, is that an injection? Or like an IV drip. And is it a one-time thing or something done monthly, quarterly, etc.

    I know they have B12 shots, which I've heard are very effective on people's energy levels when they are low on B12.

    Just be careful if you consider the infusion (I don't know how often it's needed or anything else). My sister had a severe allergic reaction when she had one. Of course, that can be said of anything, really. A lot of people get the injections and are just fine. She just wasn't one of them.
    Thank you for sharing that. How frightening, I'm sorry that happened to her!
  • _piaffe
    _piaffe Posts: 163 Member
    edited September 2017
    I love protein bars - specifically, Quest chocolate chip! The "Best Before Date" impacts taste. I'm currently eating bars that are Best Before May / June 2018. They are MUCH more fresh than bars that expire in January 2018, let alone this Fall, 2017. I would not touch a December 2017 "best before" bar - way, way too stale and awful tasting.

    So... if you want to eat fewer, maybe eat more stale - but still edible - bars...?

    I was severely anemic and did the iron infusions - one a month for 4 months, doctor's orders.

    After infusion #1, I felt instantly more energized. I had been light headed, deeply fatigued, concerned about passing out before hand - it was bad. The infusion was truly amazing. I could not believe how deficient I was.

    Multiple infusions were the only way to "catch up" my numbers deficit. I am now stable in the normal range, however I also take Floradix daily, which I find doesn't bother me or cause GI issues like constipation.

    I don't eat red meat often, as I don't seem to digest it well. I have tons of leafy greens too, though I always have tons of dark leafy greens... they didn't seem to prevent anemia!
  • fitjam00
    fitjam00 Posts: 9 Member
    This happened to me right after I gave birth!
    All I would eat were these cliff chocolate peanut bars
    And Tyson buffalo chicken strips with ranch.
    This went on for 2 months straight

    My body & hormones were a wreck all around,
    I think my body was depleted and I needed the protein and vitamins to heal or something

    I stopped buying both cold turkey, so my suggestion don't have them in the house
  • natasor1
    natasor1 Posts: 271 Member
    I also allow a little treat of protein bars. I only limit myself with three bites of the bar, and then I pack it in the plastic lunch bag for future use. When I know how much I can eat, it makes the process easier not to overeat.
  • abowersgirl
    abowersgirl Posts: 3,408 Member
    Keeping treats outside the house and eating them while out always helps. People less likely over eat while in public.
  • belleflop
    belleflop Posts: 154 Member
    Sounds like you are conditioning yourself. You are rewarding yourself with this food. Turn it on it side, and change your reward structure to not be food. Instead, like some have suggested already is disassociate the food you are "craving" with the reward mechanism. Also consider your life goals. If this issue is getting in the way of your progress, consider that you are choosing to eat them, and you have the power to stop.
  • Nudgey02
    Nudgey02 Posts: 24 Member
    If you have low B12 and possible pernicious anaemia your doctor needs to give you the shots ASAP. If left low for a long time it leads to nerve and brain damage. Check out the pernicious anaemia society website. If your body is unable to absorb B12 (pernicious anaemia) then you have to have the injections every 10-12 weeks for the rest of your life so keep you well. Please go back to your doctor, I'm confused at why they wouldn't investigate further and give you the shots to raise the levels.

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