The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery suggests that gastric bypass patients consume at least 1.1 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight. Some patients use protein shakes to reach their protein goal but others want something more filling. Protein bars are favored by some gastric bypass patients because they taste good, are easy to carry in a knapsack or purse, and are pretty filling. Protein bars come in all sorts of flavors, of course, but chocolate is a favorite of many patients.
Atkins Chocolate Chip Granola
Atkins chocolate chip granola protein bars are a great choice for gastric bypass patients. They provide 200 calories and 17 grams of protein. Unlike many protein bars, which are high in sugar, these have only one gram of sugar. This is important since some patients developing dumping syndrome if they eat foods high in sugar. It should be noted, though, that these bars contain nine grams of sugar alcohol and some patients are sensitive to that, too. I like these bars because they don’t taste like protein bars at all; they taste like a regular chewy chocolate chip granola bar, only it’s good for me.
Luna S’mores
These bars are not the best option for gastric bypass patients, but I love them because they taste so yummy. The Luna s’mores bar reminds me of those cereal bars you make with Rice Krispies and marshmallows, only they have chocolate, too. They provide 180 calories and nine grams of protein; they also contain 13 grams of sugar, which would be more than some gastric bypass patients can tolerate.
Pure Protein Chocolate Deluxe
I think this protein bar is meant to be a meal replacement, not a snack. It provides 280 calories, which is a lot more than I like in a protein bar. However, it’s very filling and many gastric bypass patients would be satisfied with just half a bar. One bar contains a whopping 32 grams of protein, a huge amount for a protein bar. It contains only four grams of sugar.
Quest Chocolate Brownie
Quest protein bars are another great choice for gastric bypass patients. They provide 170 calories and 20 grams of protein, and they have only one gram of sugar. They are really dense and filling; some patients will only be able to eat half of a bar at a time. I like to microwave these for 15 seconds before eating them, otherwise they seem kind of hard. Heated briefly, they are warm and soft and tasty.
Zone Perfect Fudge Graham
This is another protein bar that tastes good but may not be the best choice for gastric bypass patients. Each bar provides 210 calories and 14 grams of protein. It also contains 15 grams of sugar, enough to cause dumping syndrome in some patients. I really like the taste, though; I think it tastes like chocolate covered graham crackers.
Sources:
Bariatric Nutrition. http://nutrition.otago.ac.nz/__data/assets/file/0005/4784/BariatricNutritionReading.pdf. Suggestions for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient.
Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dumping-syndrome/DS00715. Dumping Syndrome.
Atkins. http://www.atkins.com/Products/Advantage-Meals/Atkins-Advantage-Chocolate-Chip-Granola-Bar.aspx. Chocolate Chip Granola Bar.
Luna Bars. http://lunabar.com/products/bars/smores/. S’mores.
Pure Protein. http://www.pureprotein.net/pages/products.aspx?sku=045891. Chocolate Deluxe.
Quest Nutrition. http://www.questproteinbar.com/. Quest Bars.
Zone Perfect. http://zoneperfect.com/products/ZonePerfect-Classic-Fudge-Graham. Fudge Graham Bars.