Protein bars. Yay or Nay?

I am wondering what your plan says about protein bars. Mine says no. but I am wondering what everyone else's plan says or if you choose to eat them or not. If so, which ones are you favorites for taste and nutrition?

Bars are pretty high in carbs but I try to make sure the carbs and protein are equal to each other (i.e. no bars with 25 g of carbs and only 10 g of protein).

I don't use them often, and I certainly don't use them if there are real food options around, but while traveling or in a pinch, I will have one.  I probably have one every two weeks. Others have them much more often.

I love Quest bars.  You can buy them at GNC or netrition.com.  Everyone's tastes vary but I love the chocolate brownie, cookies and cream, chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate peanut butter.  I didn't have one until maybe 6 months out.

I don't think (personally) that they are a great choice when we are fortunate to have access to meats and beans and greek yogurts and dairy products that are (hopefully!) less processed, but as I said, they are great for a plane ride or a day full of meetings with no lunch break :)

I have also enjoyed some Pure Protein bars, from CVS.  Just be sure to check calories.  Some of the bigger bars are like 300 calories!

I agree with every word of this.

What Em said. Some get hooked on Quest bars. Next thing you know you'll be stealing purses and robbing gas stations, just to get more Quest bar money. 

They are a better choice than a Big Mac, but there are other, better choices.

What Em and Grim said. My plan is not a big fan either as they prefer less processed food choices when possible. I am 28 months post op and have had 3 total since surgery in situations when nothing else was available. Personally they remind me too much of candy bars which were a big part of my problem before surgery and I have chosen to totally change my eating habits after surgery. Candy bars and their lookalikes are not a part of my healthy diet. Just my two cents worth!

I use them if I don't have access to other food or am going to be on the road. I use Power Crunch (8 carbs and 14 protein). I have nut allergies and most protein bars have nuts and this is the only one that I found that did not.

I don't remember what, if anything, my surgeon said about them.  Personally, I think almost all foods are OK in moderation.  I use protein bars when I'm in a hurry and I keep one in my purse and one in my car at all times so I have something to eat if I get hungry when I'm out or about.  I also get very low blood sugar sometimes and a protein bar is a very quick and easy way to get my sugar back up fast.

I use them occasionally, and like to keep them handy for days when I know I might have trouble eating normally, or for when I need to dash out the door in a hurry in the morning. I probably have 2 a month. I like the Atkins Cookies and Creme -- 180 cal, 15 gms protein, 1 gm sugar.

No shakes or bars in 10.5 years - real food for me!

Thanks everyone. I was thinking just for a last resort. I have classes all done on Tuesdays so I was just thinking of one option if I don't have anything else that day. Throw one in my car maybe just to be safe!