Yummy protein foods. Do they exist?

I cannot say that I am the perfect bariatric patient.  I am far from it.  I have too many issues with food to be that perfect patient.  Acknowledging those issues, though, is going to help me win my battles against food.

Fatal Flaw 1:  I'm a snacker.

Snack time and snack foods are my weak spots.  I'll admit it.  I have a weakness for just about anything that could be considered a snack food.  So, what's a girl to do when carrots aren't classified as a snack food?  (They're a side dish, not a snack!)  I went on a mission a couple weeks ago and had a major victory.

I spent an hour scouring Amazon for protein snacks.  I search, read reviews, search more, read nutrition labels, and I find it.  One brand stands out.  Yes, there are mixed reviews.  But, I gave the line a try:  Kay's Naturals.  I ordered pretzel sticks, cookie bites, and veggie pizza puffs.  The flavor of each snack was fine; however, I really struggled with the texture of the pretzel sticks.       They left a funky feeling on the top of my mouth like it was coated with oil or something.  I was sorely disappointed because I love cinnamon pretzels and had high hopes for these.

Fatal Flaw 2: I don't always eat my protein first, which means I don't always get all of my protein in.

There are too many reasons to list why I don't get my protein first: I'm tired of chicken and fish; the crackers taste so much better; protein bars and protein drinks taste gross, etc., etc., etc.

I never actually found a protein bar that I enjoy.  I found a few that I thought were tolerable, but I never found one that I actually liked.  Again, I spent an hour or more scouring Amazon to stumble upon Quest Nutrition bars just as I was about to give up.  Wow.  $25 for a box of 12 of 1 flavor.  What if I hate them?  Oh, wait.  There's a sampler box that has one of every flavor?  That, I can do.  So, I ordered the sampler box and gave it a whirl.  I haven't eaten every one of them yet, but I have eaten more than half of them, and I have to say it.  It is actually possible to enjoy a protein bar.  EVERY flavor I have tried was yummy.  The texture didn't leave that funky coating on the top of my mouth or feel grainy.  I actually look forward to my daily protein bar.

Here's the deal with protein snacks, or any other high protein food actually:  The texture is weird, and you have to get used to it. Every person is different and will be able to tolerate different types of foods or textures.  (My hubby couldn't stand the cookie bites that I liked.)  The point is that you have to find what works for you.  Both of these brands had negative reviews because somebody had different taste and texture needs.  For me, they worked, and the best part is that they are well within the nutrition guidelines Dr. Billy and his staff gave me.

Pop tarts VS. Protein Drinks

     There was a battle today.  It was intense.  I was strategic about it.  I was looking for breakfast in the cupboard because, to be honest, I am tired of eggs.  I wanted oatmeal, but I was out. I wanted cereal:  Cheerios, Chex, Cinnamon Jacks, but no high protein cereals.

      That's when I noticed it.  The pop tarts that I bought for my daughter's sleep over this week-end were sitting on the shelf, glaring at me, taunting me, and calling my name.  Jennifer.  Eat us.  You know we're yummy!  Jennifer.  Jennifer, eat us. I picked up the box, looked at it, and thought about how yummy they would be.  I  love the cinnamon brown sugar Pop Tarts.  

       Then I thought about how sick I would be all day if that was the first thing I ate, and decided I could eat them later if I was going to eat them at all.  I set them back on the shelf and turned to my protein drink corner.  I made a blended vanilla latte protein drink instead and ate a banana.

     Oh, but the battle was not over.  Those Pop Tarts didn't sit in there and whisper my name.  As I drank my protein and ate my banana, they began to shout my name.  They knew the choice I made would not keep me satisfied for long, and they were right.  I think the rest of the box just may end up in the trash before the end of the day.

War declared!

       This is not easy.  People tell me I took the easy way out, but it isn't true.  It's a short cut, yes.  But, it isn't easy. So, here it is.  I AM DECLARING WAR! This is a record of my personal war against fat and unhealthy.  And, yes, it is a war.  There are plenty of battles.  Some of them are won and some of them are lost.  But the war never ends.