Weight Loss & Diet Plans

Review: The FullBar Diet Plan

FullBar: How It Works continued...

"Not only will you be less hungry, but simply by taking the edge off of your appetite should help you be in control of your food choices," Snyder says. He adds that FullBars can be used to help you lose or maintain weight for a short period of time, or long-term.

It's worth noting that, if you are in touch with your hunger cues, the FullBar will likely help you eat less. But if you ignore the fullness signals, you could negate the effects of the FullBar – and even gain weight. Indeed, if you eat FullBars along with your regular meals, the bars could add up to 2,500 extra calories per week. (In a video on the FullBar web site, Snyder suggests you rate your hunger on a scale of 1-10.)

And what about fitness? Although exercise is not part of the FullBar weight loss approach, Snyder tells WebMD he recommends being physically active as much as you can be throughout the day.

FullBar: What the Experts Say

You can eat a FullBar to take the edge off your appetite -- or you can choose real foods, like a slice of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, or low-fat yogurt with ground flaxseeds -- for about the same number of calories, says Jim White, RD, a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association.

"Although this or any bar can be convenient, with a little planning, you can achieve the same effect by eating foods that are high in fiber [and] water, and low in calories and also cost less," White says.

Studies have shown that starting every meal with a large green salad or bowl of broth-based vegetable soup can help you eat less overall during the meal.

 White offers more tips to help gauge hunger at meals:

• Don’t skip meals; this will help you avoid feelings of out-of-control hunger.
• Eat slowly and mindfully to become more aware of the feeling of fullness.
• Eat small, frequent meals to quell hunger throughout the day.
• Make sure all meals contain some lean protein, fiber, and a little healthy fat. This combination will keep you full longer.
• Be active every day. Physical activity can help curb appetite.
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated and avoid hunger/thirst confusion.

There is nothing wrong with Full Bars as a pre-meal snack, although some are somewhat high in sugar. But White says he would rather dieters use the money they would have spent on FullBars for a gym membership instead.

He also says he would like to see an educational program built around the FullBars, to teach dieters how to use them as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise.

FullBar: Food for Thought

The FullBar strategy is not really a new approach to weight loss. But it could be a convenient way to curb your appetite at home or on the road – as long as the bars really fill you up, and you cut your calories at mealtime.

Whether you use the FullBar or any other high-fiber, pre-meal filler, you'll still need to eat a nutritious, calorie-controlled diet and get regular physical activity if you want to lose weight.