There was a time, not so long ago, that I was very opposed to protein bars. Because I only tended to see protein bars at 7-Eleven and Wal-Mart, I had the idea that they were all carb heavy and no better for you than a candy bar.

I’m here to admit—before you, the world-wide web and God—that I was wrong.  There are plenty of great bars out there! For those that don’t have the time or inclination to have a protein shake, the right bar can be a great choice. Just yesterday I forgot my lunch for work. I had to run an errand during my lunch hour and knew I wouldn’t have time to stop and get a full meal. Protein bar to the rescue!

Thanks to some good friends, I’ve found some great bars with decent stats to use in a bind. And I have a little secret. Come closer…closer…yeah…that’s close enough. I like to cut them into tiny pieces and eat them as treats sometimes! (giggles like school girl)

So here’s our picks for the “Top 5 WLS Friendly Protein Bars” (in no particular order)

#5 – Best bar to get at 7-Eleven

I don’t know about your “7-E” but mine is a WLS patients dream. They have four different kinds of low-sugar/no-sugar and low-fat ready-to-drink protein drinks AND a huge selection of protein bars. My go-to is the Detour Lower Sugar bar. They only carry one kind at my local convenience store—peanut caramel. Those that know me, know exactly why this is NOT a problem! The carbs on this one come in just slightly lower than the protein (which is really all you can reasonably ask of a protein bar) and it has vitamins and minerals to boot!

#4 – Best bar to order online

These babies are small but gooooooood. Choco-lite bars honestly don’t taste like a protein bar. I don’t know if they were even intended to be or if that was just a side bonus or something. But who cares? They are SO GOOD! Every time I go to Jen’s house she sets some out for me (because she is from “the South” and women from “the South” do hospitable things like that. In my house you get offered a glass of Crystal Light and some good conversation…but you can’t have my Chocolite bars I’m sorry…).

#3 – Best bar on a budget

Being a single mom I HAVE to have a budget friendly choice. Cuz I’m broke as hell most of the time. When I was just starting out in this process, my go-to bar was the South Beach meal replacement bars. They have everything a good bar should have—protein, calories, nutrients. And I could always find them on sale somewhere. My favorite (not surprisingly) is the peanut butter bar. You can find these in stores but they end up cheaper per unit if you order them online. Use your best judgment!

#2 – Best “mini” bar (besides the one at the Hilton)

Supreme Protein makes a variety pack of lil’ baby protein bars. I guess this is to keep you out of the bag of mini-Snickers that your co-worker INSISTS on keep in a glass jar on her desk in your direct line of vision. I dunno if that works (hit us up if it does) but these little babies are very cute and very good sources of protein. You just have to make sure you don’t overindulge, which is easy to do with mini-anything.

(Thanks to the dedicated reader who pointed out to us that we linked the wrong product! These are the minis which are NOT 400 calories! They are 200 with 15g of protein. In a pinch these do well for a newbie with not much tummy room!)

#1 – Best bar you can make yourself

This is a cooking blog so we couldn’t let you get away without at least one recipe! A good friend of ours on OH invented this bar and it has become a staple in many post-WLS kitchens. Seriously…she sent me a batch…make these!!! They taste great nuked. A “warm and oozy” treat.

Shari’s Otter Bars

Dry ingredients: (Mix in big bowl)

2 cups quick oats
1 cup Fiber Cereal (twig type)
4 scoops vanilla Whey Protein (I used Pure Protein this time)
1/4 cups toasted coconut (toasted in oven)
1/4 cup slivered almonds (toasted too with some butter extract and a little salt)
1/4 c. toasted soy nuts (ditto)
3 tbsp Sugar Free Mini Chocolate Chips (check Netrition.com)
1/2 cup raisins
2/3 c. nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 cup Splenda for cooking
dash of salt
2 tbsp cinnamon
———————
Wet ingredients:

1/3 cup NSA Applesauce
3 egg whites (I used 3/4 cup egg whites in carton)
1/3 cup coconut flavored DaVinci (or any yummy flavor)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all dry ingredients together.  Mix wet ingredients thoroughly in second bowl.
Pour wet into dry and mix thoroughly.  Spray 9×9′ casserole with Pam. Spoon in mixture evenly.  Sprinkle top with a little cinnamon/Splenda.  Cook 15 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Unbelievably tasty and fudgy when served a little warm!

Yields 15 bars (stats below):

Cals: 142

Fat: 3.7

Carbs: 19

Protein: 11.5

Fiber: 4g