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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Good alternative to protein bars?

23 replies

Siblingsadness · 05/08/2025 21:17

I've lost a lot of weight through calorie defecit and protein bars have been a big part of my success (filling, tasty , feel like a treat) but I'm wanting to move away from upf foods.
What can I take to work for breakfast (eaten at about 11am)
Requirement
Needs to be under 300 cals
Tasty
Filling
Portable
Protein
Not savoury (don't like eggs)

Ideas so far : banana, apple and peanut butter, babybel and apple (still processed), greek yoghurt and berries.
Any other good ideas?

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LoserWinner · 05/08/2025 21:27

Yoghurt, berries, nuts and seeds. I generally have live yoghurt, blueberries, pomegranate, pistachios, either mixed seeds or chia or flax seeds in a snap-top container.

Muffsies · 05/08/2025 21:29

If you like protein bars you could try making your own? My son makes his. It's great because you can use good quality ingredients and put in whatever ingredients you like best. Nuts, seeds, dried fruits, dark chocolate, honey.. there are endless options for swapping in your favourite things and adjusting the recipe.

Thelnebriati · 05/08/2025 21:30

It depends how bad you think soya milk is. I like 200mls unsweetened soya milk, a couple of tablespoons of any plain yoghurt, and a handful of frozen fruit (pineapple and mango, orange and pineapple are both low calorie).
Whizz in a blender and keep in a food thermos so it stays cold. Makes a lovely thick breakfast drink and depending on the fruit should be under 150cals.

Siblingsadness · 05/08/2025 21:30

Muffsies · 05/08/2025 21:29

If you like protein bars you could try making your own? My son makes his. It's great because you can use good quality ingredients and put in whatever ingredients you like best. Nuts, seeds, dried fruits, dark chocolate, honey.. there are endless options for swapping in your favourite things and adjusting the recipe.

Ooh I will look this up. I would be a bit worried about portion control maybe but could try

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UnaOfStormhold · 05/08/2025 21:32

There are loads of recipes for homemade protein bars and bites, generally based on whey powder and nut butter plus dried fruit for sweetness. Some protein powders are UPF but I use Healthy Tree pure whey which is just the whey without additives - obviously that's still fairly processed but nothing like as bad as protein bars.

Siblingsadness · 05/08/2025 21:32

Thelnebriati · 05/08/2025 21:30

It depends how bad you think soya milk is. I like 200mls unsweetened soya milk, a couple of tablespoons of any plain yoghurt, and a handful of frozen fruit (pineapple and mango, orange and pineapple are both low calorie).
Whizz in a blender and keep in a food thermos so it stays cold. Makes a lovely thick breakfast drink and depending on the fruit should be under 150cals.

Is the protein from the yoghurt?
This could work for me, maybe interspersed with the yoghurt and fruit above, love those little pots

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Siblingsadness · 05/08/2025 21:34

UnaOfStormhold · 05/08/2025 21:32

There are loads of recipes for homemade protein bars and bites, generally based on whey powder and nut butter plus dried fruit for sweetness. Some protein powders are UPF but I use Healthy Tree pure whey which is just the whey without additives - obviously that's still fairly processed but nothing like as bad as protein bars.

I think I want to move away from whey protein and eat whole foods

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ThePoshUns · 05/08/2025 21:37

Over night oats?
I soak 25g oats in water overnight mixed with chia seeds and collagen powder. In th morning I top with fat free skyr yogurt and raspberries and a few crushed pieces of walnut. I love it and so filling , about 300 calories and 32g of protein

gamerchick · 05/08/2025 21:38

Muffsies · 05/08/2025 21:29

If you like protein bars you could try making your own? My son makes his. It's great because you can use good quality ingredients and put in whatever ingredients you like best. Nuts, seeds, dried fruits, dark chocolate, honey.. there are endless options for swapping in your favourite things and adjusting the recipe.

Was just going to suggest the same, I was pondering on putting feeder husband on the case. Just weigh your portions, weighing doesn't see you wrong.

Thelnebriati · 05/08/2025 21:39

Soya milk has about 3 grams of protein per 100mls, and its a complete protein. There's also protein in the yoghurt.
The recipe has a low-medium glycaemic impact (depending on the fruit you use) so doesn't spike your blood sugar.

Jdkaksbd · 05/08/2025 21:44

Good cottage cheese such as Longley farm. They do one with pineapple which is great for breakfast, I just eat it from the pot the same way I do a yoghurt. The plain one is delicious too.

Siblingsadness · 05/08/2025 21:45

Overnight oats with collagen is great idea! I can also make a week of them in advance which is very much a necessity for me (hence why protein bars have been so easy to use)

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Jdkaksbd · 05/08/2025 21:45

Or two hard-boiled eggs

Siblingsadness · 05/08/2025 21:45

Jdkaksbd · 05/08/2025 21:44

Good cottage cheese such as Longley farm. They do one with pineapple which is great for breakfast, I just eat it from the pot the same way I do a yoghurt. The plain one is delicious too.

I like cottage cheese but couldn't eat it by itself I don't think

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Siblingsadness · 05/08/2025 21:46

Jdkaksbd · 05/08/2025 21:45

Or two hard-boiled eggs

I don't like eggs unfortunately

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mamagogo1 · 05/08/2025 21:46

Make your own bars - basically nuts in flapjacks

BlueWalker · 05/08/2025 21:48

What about yoghurt bark? I keep meaning to make a batch. Easy to calculate the recipe calories in total and then divide by how many portions.

AvidJadeShaker · 05/08/2025 21:51

Jason Vale’s Cocoa balls, easy to make and really tasty.

Silverysnake · 05/08/2025 21:58

Jdkaksbd · 05/08/2025 21:44

Good cottage cheese such as Longley farm. They do one with pineapple which is great for breakfast, I just eat it from the pot the same way I do a yoghurt. The plain one is delicious too.

I sometimes eat with slices of apple or two crispbreads . Or homemade cottage cheese waffles or pancakes.

Muffsies · 05/08/2025 21:58

This isn't a snack, but since people are mentioning collagen peptides, I just thought I'd mention that Savers are selling Bioglan marine collagen peptides for £4.99 for 20 soluble tablets. I thought this was really good value - collagen products can be really pricey!

I've been taking one 10g tablet per day with a pint of water, which also gets my afternoon hydration sorted. I also take a 10g scoop of bovine collagen each day because I want to hedge my bets with both types. Bovine is supposed to be best for joints and connective tissue and marine is generally thought to be better for skin hydration. I've been taking bovine collagen for nearly 3 years, and I'm convinced of the benefits. Let's see how the marine stuff goes!

Siblingsadness · 05/08/2025 22:07

Oh yeah crispbread and cottage cheese is a possible too.
Yoghurt bark is intriguing but I walk to work so I might end up with yoghurt sludge

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