Energy Bars and Fake Food

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-1999
Energy Bars and Fake Food
7
Sat, 10-04-2003 - 10:22pm

This interesting read is from the Daily Dish (emphasis added):


Catherine


Energy Bars: Hands Off!

It's impossible to enter a grocery store without being bombarded by dozens of bars touted as meal replacements, diet aids, and muscle builders. Which of these, if any, are acceptable on the South Beach Diet? The answer: none. Why? All of these bars (even the ones claiming to be low carbohydrate) contain a substantial amount of carbohydrates. Additionally, none of them are an acceptable alternative to fresh, whole foods.

If you can't resist the convenience of such bars—despite our warnings—eat them before you exercise, read labels carefully, and keep the following information in mind:



  • Energy bars (Power Bars, Cliff Bars, and Tiger's Milk) are meant to provide energy in a convenient form for high-performance athletes. They deliver large amounts of carbohydrates for sustained activities such as hiking, biking, and running. For those on the South Beach Diet, these high-carb bars can be a diet buster.
  • High-protein bars (Atkins Advantage and Promax) are a popular way for body builders to increase muscle mass, but their "low-carbohydrate" labeling can often be misleading. Not only do these bars frequently contain large amounts of fat, they also have sugar alcohols that are not included in the carbohydrate count.
  • Meal-replacement bars (Slim-Fast and Opti-Pro) are designed for the person who has trouble with portion control. These bars limit the amount of food you eat and can leave you feeling hungry—something that the South Beach Diet discourages.

 

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Avatar for maw602000
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 10-05-2003 - 2:36pm
Thanks Catherine for posting, I sure alot of questions were answered. Hugs Maryann
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 10-05-2003 - 4:21pm
I have been on SBD since 9/8/03 and after about a week and a half on phase 1 I started having one of the atkins bars or carbolite bars as my breakfast. I was tired of cooking or trying to quickly put something together as I ran out the door to get to work. I was used to grabbing a poptart or cereal bar before, so I got some of the low carb. bars. I have lost weight and am still losing, so for the convenience I went and got some boxes of atkins morning start bars in 3 diff. flavors. I like the taste of them and as long as I continue to lose weight I am going to keep eating them.

Cheryl

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-1999
Sun, 10-05-2003 - 6:26pm

Cheryl,


If you are losing weight and changing your body chemistry, then I guess this choice is working for you. Dr. A states that the diet must accommodate real life.


I understand what you are saying about the cooking thing. The ONLY thing I've found the work for me is to make a weekly menu and list on the weekends, and then go shopping (either daily, every few days, or weekly...for me, it doesn't seem to make a difference; just as long as I've made the menu). If it is to be eaten in the morning, and is more difficult to make than bacon on the George Foreman Grill (I have a little one) or coffee, then it must be made ahead of time if I am going to consume it!!! I like those spinach quiche cups for this reason. They can be taken out and microwaved, and are no more difficult to make than muffins. For variety, you can try different veggie combos. I thought maybe I'd try crumbling up some bacon to put in them, even.


Hope this helps!


Catherine

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 10-05-2003 - 9:32pm
I don't like cooked spinach (love raw spinach leaves in my salad), so I haven't tried the quiche cups to go. But I did make half dozen egg beaters with ham, mushrooms and green pepper cooked in muffin tin. The fresh one was great, then the rest shriveled up and looked all wrinkly. The next morning popped one in micro and I managed to eat half of it, it was pretty gross and the texture was nasty. The rest went in the trash.

Cheryl

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-1999
Mon, 10-06-2003 - 12:13am

Ewww...gross.


Mine are in the fridge and are doing fine. I have

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 10-07-2003 - 10:19pm
Mine were in baggies, too. I used egg substitute, so maybe that is what caused it ?

Cheryl
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-1999
Tue, 10-07-2003 - 10:54pm

Maybe....ida know. I have used egg substitute for anything only a couple of times in my life...is it drier?

 

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