?: Sugar alcohols - meal replacement bars

[spaceace]

I would like to know something...since there are many similiarities to Atkins. (I have read Atkins and Protein Power.)

Atkins says you can use their meal supplement (bars), because of the net carbohydrate of them is low because of "sugar alcohols." However, on his first phase, called Induction, he is very clear that you are not to use these bars during Induction.

So...if sugar alcohols do not effect metabolism, why would they ever be effective? It seems they should be effective all the time or none of the time.

If you have some knowledge, please share.

[Mitra]

There are similarities between PP and Atkins, but one of the differences is that PP doesn't have an Atkins-style Induction stage. Carbs are lower in the earlier part of PP, and raised as you near your weight/health goal, but PP doesn't restrict any particular food in the Intervention/Correction stage. Atkins restricts berries, nuts, and various other things during Induction, as far as I remember, but I don't know why, and it's not something the Drs Eades suggest.

As far as sugar alcohols, their effects seem to vary, both from one individual to another, and between different types of SA. A rough rule of thumb is to count about 1/3 of the listed number of carbs, but some people find even small quantities either cause them to stop losing weight, spark sugar cravings, or cause excessive gas production.

[spaceace]

Thanks - I had tried do Induction with using Atkins bars and found that my weight stayed steady, not dropping, after several weeks. Other than that I was completely faithful to the program.
I will try again!

Does PP have food supplements that they recommend?

[Billie]

Spaceace, per se, PP doesn't have their own brand of food supplements. The great thing about Protein Power is that you can literally eat anything, you just have to be mindful of the carb count and of course your protein intake.

Many people here use low carb prodcuts, bread for example. Many people use bars and shakes as well and for many people it works qutie well.

But I would have to say that the first stages of this program, like any, are also about changing your life style a bit. Eating convenient type foods--the run through McDonald's for example, got alot of us into the place we are. So for many people, it is just so great to be able to take the time and really thrive on changing the life style. Cooking some meals on the weekends, freezing things, eating fresh veggies and fruits, great cuts of meat, it really can be a very nice time in the kitchen and with friends and family.

The board has tons of recipe selections and many forums designed to help any level of interest you wish. There are many shake recipe or bar recipes to enjoy, not to mention the whole cadre of cooking and baking recipes.

Eating to enjoy yourself and get healthy, it just is really a nice change of pace for many of us!

Great luck to you!

[GuyB]

Hi All, I'm new here but not to PPLP. I've been a lo-carber for a couple of years now and love the results!

In considering the effects of lo-carb bars, I have found that sugar-alcohols do stimulate my sugar cravings and my stomach bloats. Then I'm simply a "noisy" wreck for a couple of days.

So I do use the lo-carb bars but only as a treat from time to time.

Guy B

P.S. I really prefer eating real food like strawberries with half and half with a little Splenda sprinkled to sweeten it up! Yum-bo!

[cmcole]

I like frozen blueberries with whipping cream poured on them - it freezes the cream and makes it almost like icecream.

[root]

So...if sugar alcohols do not effect metabolism, why would they ever be effective? It seems they should be effective all the time or none of the time.

Boy, you've hit a hot spot with me, Spaceace. What happens when these sugar alcohols reach the small intestine to produce gas and other undesireable side effects of undigestable food. Why would you want to buy these bars when you could take with you a bag of raw almonds and celery! Remember margarine and trans fats. If it lasts on the shelf it's a benefit for shelf life and marketing, not a benefit for your health!

Cheers!

[gitfiddle]

I will keep a snack bar around as an emergency measure, but I found that they indeed keep the cravings active, as Guy B. shared above. I didn't want that to be true, but as soon as I stopped stocking them in my desk drawer, my cravings backed off almost entirely.

I toast whole raw almonds in the oven for a quick munch. I like frozen blueberries mixed into ricotta cheese with a shot of DaVinci sf syrup and a sprinkle of crushed almonds or walnuts. Celery is marvellous for crunch and can be stuffed with lots of things. Romaine lettuce leaves keep for quite a while and hold almost anything, even cheesburgers!

I do eat processed food, but not if there is a fresh or homemade choice.

[deirdra]

Carol, for how long and at what temperature do you toast almonds?

Sugar alcohols cause me cravings. I avoid them and make my own bars.

[root]

Deirdra,
High temps destroy vitamin E.
Trader Joe's Raw Almonds are delicious!

[bigdawg_SLC]

I've only ever used protein bars as a quick fix -- like at the gym or when I'm on the road. Just like protein shakes (which I do drink one every morning), they aren't as good as real food -- fruits and vegetables, nuts berries. I really like the bulk mixed nuts from costco -- they have a great protein count -- and they make a great snack!

[gitfiddle]

Carol, for how long and at what temperature do you toast almonds?
Sorry Dierdra, I just saw your question! I spread them out on a cookie sheet at a rather low heat and take them out as soon as I can smell them. Just long enough to give them a crunch.

[ronjames]

All,

I'm new to the board and fairly new to low-carbing. I read PP and used it more as a guide, but did my own modified LC thing for the last 6 months. I've lost about 20 lbs, but have been stalled for the last 10 weeks. I exercise 5-6 times a week and have been keeping my calories at 1800 – 2000 a day (usually under 100 g carbs), but I still can’t get over the hump.

So, I started reading PP again, and this time, I want to follow it as closely as I can. I’ve decided to start at Phase II, since I really only need to loose another 10 lbs or so. My big problem is that I’m a very finicky eater. I don’t care much for most vegetables and stick pretty much with beef or poultry. I like most fruits, but they’re not real compatible with phase II.

So, I find my self reaching for the Atkins products and protein shakes as a normal part of my diet. Setting personal preferences for real food aside, can I make this work getting a majority of my proteins and nutrients from a can or processed bar?

Thanks,

RJ

[cmcole]

How about a can of tuna, salmon, sardines, oysters, mussels?
Experiment. Sometimes even the veggies you don't care for plain can be mixed in with the above-mentioned to create an acceptable alternative.

Sure, I've eaten or consumed the bars and shakes, but I find they are less satisfying, and I only use them in a pinch (like when I travel, or something).

Check out the recipe section and see if something catches your interest. Try new things - change it up a bit and it may help you over your stuck spot. Calories are not the big thing that are counted - it's getting the right amount of protein and fats that you're focusing on, here.

[Relief]

I had a couple of thoughts--re your stall. concerning the bars--you may be reacting to the sugar alcohols with more insulin response--people seem to have more problems with glycerine and maltitol giving them reactions very close to what sugar would have done. add up the sugar alcohol grams and see what your carb count would be if you DIDN'T subtract them. You may be eating too much for you to have gycimic control and that is causing your stall. I think itis very convienient to have bars and shakes and that it isn't NECESSARILY a problem--but I make my own from as much real food as possible--high protein muffins and nut bars and shakes made with real berries and no sugar alcohols.

second thought was: even though you are working out ( what kind, aerobic or weights?)
you may have reached stasis with your calories ( I wouldn't think that 2000 was too many for a guy, but you never know)

a little experiment in calorie control for a week or two would answer that question pretty quickly.--Just cutting back by 200 a day or so might make a real difference. It is ESSENTIAL to create a caloric deficit in order to lose fat. the good thing about low carb eating is that for the most part it DOES take care of itself--but when we have only a couple of pounds left to lose, what is 'comfortable" in terms of food and appetite, may be too much to allow fat loss!

[ronjames]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've really only started following PP to the letter for a couple of days now, so I'll give the routine a couple of weeks to see where it leads. If I don't see any progress, I'll play with the calorie count a little and see what it does. As for my workouts, I do weights+cardio 3 days a week and cardio only another 2 or 3 days a week. Usually for about an hour.

If I still don't see any change, I'll start getting away from the protein bars and shakes and eat more real food. They're just so darn convenient for someone always on the go. Plus, I hate cooking, which only compounds the problem. So I'm really hoping I can make this work without having to spend too much time in the kitchen. Besides, I actually like the taste of the bars I've been eating.Thanks,RJ

[LisaS]

I use protein shakes (made at home with protein powder and frozen berries) but not the bars. For me, the bars just perpetuate my sweet tooth and desire for a sweet meal -- so I've chosen not to use them, but just use regular foods- except my breakfast shake - but I doesn't seem to perpetuate my desire for sweet the way the bars do.

As far as time in the kitchen - if you are willing to do some prep work you can minimize this time - on the weekend or a week night just grill off (outdoor or foreman or in the oven) a bunch of chicken breasts with salt, pepper & some grill seasoning. Then during the week, you always have some ready for snacking, for going in a wrap or shredding over a salad - very quick and easy. easy to grab and go if you want to - just not sweet.