Does anyone have any suggestions for Protein bars that are not too sweet? I've tried the Pure Protein and Think Thin bars and am having a hard time eating even half of one. Also, any suggestions for recipes I can make myself would be much appreciated. Even eating mostly protein at every meal I still think that I am not getting enough grams a day.

I bought protein bars I plan chop them up and sprinkle them on my yogurt when I can eat still in liquid stage now.

I like the Kashi bars but otherwise, I haven't found a good Protein bar. I bought a bunch of Quest bars but they really aren't that great, though they work in a pinch.

Here are a few recipes that I found here and also from other sources:

Easy Turkey Skillet

Non-stick cooking spray

1 lb lean ground turkey

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon each basil, oregano, red pepper and garlic powder

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

3 tomatoes, chopped

2 medium zucchini, sliced & halved

1. Brown turkey and onion in non-stick skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Cook until turkey is cooked through and onion is soft (about 10 minutes)

2. Add tomato paste and seasoning. Simmer another 10 minutes.

3. Add tomatoes and simmer another 5 minutes.

4. Add zucchini and cook 5 minutes more. Serve hot.

Serves 4 (about 1 cup per serving)

Calories 181; Carbs 13g; Fiber 4g ; Protein 21g ; Fat 6g

chicken Breasts with cheese and Spinach

2 ounces goat cheese or reduced fat cream cheese, cut into pieces

1 garlic clove, minced

4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken-breast halves

Salt and black pepper

1 bunch baby spinach (3 ounces), washed, trimmed, and coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

¾ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

1. Combine cheese and garlic in small cup. Trim excess fat from chicken; season with salt and pepper. Using a sharp knife, cut a horizontal slit through thickest portion of each breast to form a deep pocket. Stuff each pocket with an equal amount of cheese mixture and spinach. Press edges of chicken together to seal.

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken, 4 minutes per side. Reduce heat to medium; add broth to pan. Cover and simmer, about 6 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, discarding any remaining broth.

Makes 4 full-size servings

Per serving:

209 calories

31 g protein

1 g carbohydrate

(WLS patients should only eat ¼ - ½ a breast – about 3oz)

Baked Ricotta with Marinara

8 oz of ricotta cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan

1 large egg, beaten

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Salt & pepper to taste

½ cup marinara sauce

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly.

Creole Shrimp and Sausage Stew

Total: 20 minutes ******

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil

• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper

• 1 cup thinly sliced turkey smoked sausage (about 6 ounces) (I prefer ground turkey)

• 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic

• 3/4 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth

• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained (such as Rotel)

• 8 ounces peeled and deveined medium shrimp

• 1 (15-ounce) can organic kidney Beans, rinsed and drained

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation 1. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add bell pepper, sausage, and garlic to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until bell pepper is tender, stirring occasionally. Add broth and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Stir in shrimp and beans; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 6 minutes or until shrimp are done. Sprinkle with parsley. Nutritional Information Calories: 191
Fat: 6g (sat 1.7g,mono 2.7g,poly 1g)
Protein: 21.3g
Carbohydrate: 13.2g
Fiber: 3.5g
Cholesterol: 97mg
Iron: 2.9mg
Sodium: 694mg
Calcium: 127mg Karen Levin, Cooking Light, SEPTEMBER 2009

Sugar free/Fat Free Cheesecake Jello pudding

So I discovered Jello's instant pudding with cheesecake flavor. (sugar free/fat free)

I mixed it up with cottage cheese, milk, Protein Powder, and cool-whip. Fiesta!!!!

I used

1 sugar free/fat free cheesecake flavor Jello Instant Pudding

Protein Powder

2 cups of cottage cheese,

4 tbs milk

1 cup of cool whip

Scotch eggs (South Beach Phase 1)

My favorite portable Breakfast is Scotch eggs.

Hardboil as many eggs as you like, cool, and peel.

You need about 1 pound of ground turkey for each 5 or 6 eggs (depending on their size.) Divide the turkey into equal portions to cover your eggs, roll into a ball, then flatten and press one portion around each HB egg.

Roll them in grated Parm cheese (the green can kind is fine) and bake - I do 350* for about 20 minutes or til the turkeyis cooked through.

These are very easy to grab & go and they're really tasty!

Jello Chiffon

(about 8 servings; 10 sweet treat calories each)

Dissolve 1 large (or 2 small) packages of sugar free jello in one cup of boiling Water. Add one cup of very cold water and chill until almost "set".

Transfer to a blender and add 16 ounces of fat free cottage cheese or fat free ricotta cheese. Blend until smooth and frothy.

If you want, when you can have fruit, add whatever fruit you like (I make this with lemon jello and add blueberries, but you can do strawberry jello and add fresh slices strawberries, etc.)

@@esskay77

Thanks for the recipies! I am eager to try some of them!

Quest bars are really good!

Great recipes!

I like the think thin bars and the quest bars. I have been experimenting with both and I like the think thin with fiber the best (salted Carmel ) and the choc coconut.

Just checking about any thoughts on pork rinds a snack? I am two months out.

@ I tried the pork rinds and I think it just may have been too soon for me, I was not able to eat them. Although it may have had something to do with me getting the spicy flavor. I'll give them a go in another month or so. I am 2 months out as well.

What about the fat content in pork rinds?

@@lauramae I don't think the fat content is too bad. The one's I have only have 4.5 grams per serving and I was only eating about 1/4 of a serving. They are definitely not my favorite food, but they do have a good amount of Protein. I'm trying to get my protein in everyday but some days it is a bit hard. I'm just not a fan of the Protein Bars unfortunately.

Also, congrats on your results so far!

All the protein bars are really high in carbs and that concerns me because I'm supposed to try on and keep my carb content down too.

All the protein bars are really high in carbs and that concerns me because I'm supposed to try on and keep my carb content down too.

Keep in mind that on a nutrition label, carbs includes fiber. You have to subtract fiber and sugar from the carb total, and that gives you the simple carbs, which is what you want to limit. You want the fiber to be high.