Craving Qest Protein Bars Like Crazy

[OAM]

I can't stop craving the chocolate chip cookie dough and the cookies and crème protein bars. I eat like 3 a day, and would eat more if I didn't force myself to stop. They are almost sliders for me. I feel no restriction or feeling of fullness at all. In fact, I still feel hungry. It's driving me nuts. Has anyone else experienced this? It feels like a sugar or carb addiction - could that be true?

[Janeanne67]

I have a stack of these bars in my pantry which I bought pre surgery, I haven't had any since my op was only a month ago. But before my op I was eating them and YES talk about addictive and the same flavours you mention plus a few more. I could have eaten them all day long, when I first started on them I noticed I felt a bit weird after the first one, can't put a finger on it but it was like I got a rush from it and also noticed they made me really thirsty from salt I could taste in them. But still loved them. I was trying to be good though and only had one at night, made it my treat like a desert, but yes I could have eaten them for every meal.

[Aquajog]

Stop.. Check the calories , fats and carbs.. I may eat one low carb one a day but never more. Are they being counted as your meals. What else are you eating . If you can not stop eating after one . Just do not buy them or bring into your house!

[rana88]

For me any protine bar make hungry I don't why

[bikrchk]

You might try replacing them with another high-protein alternative. It sounds like you're fixated on these things and you need to break the habit. Cut yourself off for a while if you can. 3 per day? That would mess with my weight loss, (unless they are meals) and definitely my digestive system, (have you seen the fiber content in Quest bars)?

[AJB]

I feel the same way about the Quest bars- I eat the chocolate brownie ones like candy. They are addictive and salty as I alway want a gallon of water after I eat them. I was eating more than 3 a day as I was just using them as meal replacements but seems the more I ate them the more of them I wanted. So, they are now banned from my home. I figure if I can't eat them responsibly then I shouldn't have them period. I've also noticed that since January when I started eating so many of them that my weight loss has been signficantly less despite my excercise routine etc remaining the same. Beware the quest bars!

[JustWantToBeHealthyAgain]

I think some people have "triggers" for them, certain tastes and whatnot. I was told recently by a bypasser to avoid artificial sweeteners, as they will make me crave surgar and make me feel more hungry/gain weight. I told her that while SOME people may experience that, I have not had any cravings post surgery and consume Splenda in moderation (my yogurt contains it, I sometimes put it in coffee, I drink Crystal Lite, etc) so as long as it's not a trigger for ME, then I'll be fine.

Perhaps it's the cookie dough/cookies n creme flavours that are making your cravings go into overdrive and making you crazy. Just an idea. You may want to avoid them for a while and find other protein sources and see how you feel.

We are all different in our "triggers". Some people have them, some people don't. I know my little sister really gets into "GOTTA HAVE IT NOW" mode when she eats potato chips, while I am not a chip person. It's all about finding YOUR triggers and dealing with them as you see fit, and if you can't moderate certain foods, then it's best to avoid them for now.

Just my thoughts.

[jmw]

In my opinion, if there is anything that you are fixated on eating and can not control your cravings, that food is a danger food for you. If it were me, I would either not allow them in my house, or I would buy one at a time. I do like Quest bars, and have a box of Cookies and Creme and Chocolate Chip cookies bars, but only eat one or two a week and use them as meal replacers when I am going to be out and about.

[aglb]

I love Quest bars, but have 1 a day - They def do make me full & I feel the restriction (love this!) but no matter what form of protein, I am always hungry two hours later - whether that is a quest bar, a pc of chicken breast, 1/4 cup of cottage cheese - whatever. I sure miss that "I'm not hungry" feeling of month 1!

[newclear]

I agree that the Quest Bars I've tried are delicious, but nutrition counselling has made me stop. Not counting the claim that's out there that Quest lies about the actual fiber content in their bars, high fiber bars and cereals have fibers in it that does not have the positive affect on your heart more natural fibers do. I also stay away from sugar substitutes as much as possible (although it's inescapable w/ protein shakes, and I love my sugar free jello/puddings). This is because the effect that the artificial sweeteners still have an effect on the brain and sweet promotes craving more sweets. I haven't had a quest bar since surgery, but I think if I have similar slider feeling with them, I'll give the rest away.

[OAM]

Thank you all so much for replying. Yes, I do count the bars as a meal replacement but even with that my common sense and my cravings aren't matching up. I am post menopausal and a slow looser, so I really do need to get the cravings in check. I am almost 9 months out so need to do it in a hurry! I used to feel restriction and didn't have cravings for anything, so need to keep my head in the game.

[aglb]

I'm confused newclear - you are against artificial sweeteners but you point out that you enjoy sugarfree jello pudding which also has artificial sweeteners. It is hard to find anything that doesn't have lots of sugar or artificial sweeteners - Yes, you can find a negative review of Quest bars but a majority of the reviews are very good and for those of us that could not simply take one more protein shake - quest bars are a wonderful option with other forms of protein to meet our requirements. Everything in moderation is the key I believe. (some non sleevers believe we take in way too much protein & yet that is our lifeline) - It's tough to keep up with finding enough natural foods to maintain our protein requirements. I also hear so many people talking about carbs. My dietitian said that your body needs close to 90 grams of carbs for your brain etc. - I don't get that but I don't have much trouble getting 80% of that.

[RRT]

questbarimage7.jpg

I LOVE Quest bars. The above is my favorite and the sweetener is Lo Han Guo. Lo Han Guo is Monk Fruit. I use Monk Fruit in my coffee etc. Look it up. I have never had a problem with Quest bars. I do eat at least two a day or less. They are great to have at work as I work night shift and that is an easy protein to eat quick. Look at my ticker. I have reached goal and I eat Quest bars. LOL.

[Lolo2]

I'm not seeing the problem here. I eat quest bars, they taste good, help with protein requirements and they have fibre. Personally, my whole life from the time I was in grade 4 I have been consumed with thoughts of whether something is proper to eat, being on a diet, falling off the diet and feel this surgery has truly set me free from all of that. Restriction creates obsession for me. I refuse to worry about what I am eating. I have dreamed of being naturally thin like some of my friends. They eat what they want all their lives just stop when content, so smaller portions. They eat treats and fats and carbs etc. and never been fat. I am striving to have no issues with food and I'm getting there. If I craved 6 quest bars at hhis point in my life I would eat 6 quest bars. Try not to carry your old thoughts and guilts with food or eating into your new life. I have hungry days and like today I almost ate nothing I am listening to my body like a naturally thin person, diet and restriction is no longer part of my life and the pressure to lose weight at a certain pace is gone too, it will come off eventually.

[MADR]

I just remembered this post from a few weeks ago and thought today I'd respond. I love the white chocolate raspberry quest bars. In the beginning I was good about eating 1/2 of one on the way to the gym and then it became a full one when my stomach could handle it. But then I found myself eating them on the weekends when I didn't feel like preparing a meal or wasn't hungry but knew I needed protein and calories. Now they feel like a treat to me. It's not that it's bad to have a treat, but I feel I shouldn't be having a treat every day or twice a day on weekends. I feel like that can be a slippery slope for me, so I think I'm going to take a break from them for awhile. I don't have any desire for any other sweets, which was my weakness in the past.

So, personally, I feel like it's all about the individual and their personal food experience, history and psychology.