There are multiple schools of thought regarding protein bars. I personally think they are fine for use no more than once per day. But - if they are causing cravings, cut them out. I'm not familiar with those bars, how many grams of protein vs. carbs do they have?

The Low sugar Detour Bars have 30 grams of protein and 34 grams of carbs.  The Think Thin protein bars have 20 grams of protein and 25 grams of carbs.  

I get my biggest sugar cravings right after I eat.  Im not hungry at all, but I want to end my meal with sweets.   Sometimes it seems the healthier of a meal that I eat, the more I want sweets. I didnt know I had such a big issue until I started this challenge.  I realized that I crave sweets more than I craved a cigarette (I quit the same day I started the challenge Jan.31)

Liz - I use pure protein bars they have about a 20/20 split of carbs to protein and they are very tasty too!!  I use them like you because sometimes I just need something sweet.  Have you thought about using fruit like a pink lady (my fav) or honey crisp apple, or some berries with a sprinkle of splenda as your carb?  That will sometimes curb my craving for sweets!  HTH!  Best of luck to yoU!

Also try protein pudding 1 small box sugar free pudding any flavor, 1.5 scoops protein powder, 2 cups skim milk ... blend in blender for 45 sec.  Let set for 5 min and enjoy!!

I also end each day with a big bowl of plane greek yogurt and a packet of splenda ... to me it's just as good as ice cream!!

I'm going to ditto what the other posters have said. I know there is debate, but I feel like if I can have a protein bar (I've also been going with the Pure Protein) as a treat, better that then caving and having a cookie or something. I also pop a mint in my mouth, or drink some hot tea, after meals to help with the post-meal sweet craving.

I also made the protein pudding and my rule is also no more than one per day...so I can have the pudding OR a bar but not both. I'm also finding bars are easier to eat when I'm out and about. I'm not a fan of carrying around a cooler full of food, so that is what seems to be working for me so far.

The only thing I worry about with the bars is the artificial sweeteners causing bloating so I might cut them out for the month before my wedding. But for now, I think they are helping more than they are hindering my progress, so I'll keep them up (wish they were cheaper, though...)

Protein bars have their uses.  I use them if I know I am going to be on the go at a meal time, or as other have mentioned I might have one as my 4th meal of the day in the afternoon to beat back a craving.  Never more than 1 per day and usually I won't have more than 2-3  in a week.

Liz98 the plan works if you work the plan..it sounds like you are trying to make up your own plan by using your own bars: try the EAS myoplex lite bars....I'm on week 9 now..I also tried using another bar, and I had a terrible two weeks with it, low weight loss, low energy I was hungrier than ever! I switched back to the myoplex  bars and viola back on track.. I have one a day , my fav is the chocolate covered chip one , and cinnamon roll ... I mean would you do weight watchers with out counting points? ;)

Fination, not that there is anything wrong with EAS product, but I did my entire challenge without a single one.  The EAS products are not the corner stone of a successful 12 week challenge. There are many good protein products on the market. Often at more reasonable prices.

I have tried the protein pudding that is listed in the Eating for Life book.  I did read that if you are in your first challenge you shouldnt be eating from that book.  I've been struggling with my sweet cravings.  They usually hit right after I eat my meal.  I like the advice from SoonToBeMrsJ about the mint or tea after meals and I will try that.  I know that some people are against protein bars and some people are for them.  Im guessing that the consensus is if i eat them, not to eat too many and only when I am on the go.

Which protein bars have you found to be the best ones?  Ive been trying to find some that arent high in sugar and carbs.  There are some that are low in sugar but have a lot of sugar alcohols.  what are your thoughts on those?

Liz,

Here is a link to a site I have used to compare different products on the market.

www.sixpacknow.com/protein_bar_reviews.html

and here is a little blurb on sugar alcohols.

http://www.sixpacknow.com/what_are_net_impact_carbs.html

Hi Liz.  My question to you is why did you go 20 days without eating any sweats?  I love chocolate and make sure to have some on free days.  Just a little keep me going the whole week.  Make sure to use your free days to calm certain temptations. Good luck

Aaahh! Great, where did you hear that you shouldnt' be using the book? Because I am :( and I love it, so does my son. Please help.

The reason why I wanted to go without sweets is because it was easier for me to quit smoking cigarettes than it was for me to stop eating sweets.  I wanted to see if I could do it for a month, but I only lasted 20 days. That 20th day started with me binging on chocolate for the next 3 days.  I was reading that it was easier to stay away from sweets if you cut it out all together.  If you have some here and there, you would always want it.

To Cristib,

I read in these forums that you shouldnt be eating out of the Eating for life book because its more for maintaince after you are done with your first 90 day challenge.  Or you can eat out of it as a free day. I read that for the first 90 days, you should just eat what Bill suggests in the Body for Life book.  i could be wrong, but thats what I read from numerous people. There is so much to learn and so much adjusting that I have to use every day as a new start.