By Elizabeth Jarrard, Dietetics Student, Sargent College
An interesting little product landed on our desks the other week.

ThinkThin bar promising “deliciously natural weight management”- a gluten free, high protein bar with zero grams of sugar. Turning it over to read the ingredients label on this “Chocolate Covered Strawberries” bar I counted 38 ingredients, 4 different types of soy, malitol (a sugar alcohol that cases gastrointestinal distress for most people) and not a single mention of strawberries. It must be hidden in that “natural flavor” part…..The sample serving size was no larger than a strawberry and looked anything but satiating.

Can you have your cake and eat it too? Here at Sargent Choice we advocate enjoying your favorite desserts and indulgences in moderation. We eat our chocolate cake, just not at every meal. We have found that it’s a lot easier to thoroughly enjoy a bite of something real, delicious and homemade, than to try to find a substitute that’s loaded with refined and processed protein, and supplements. There is something to be said for real food and the satisfaction that can be garnered from that.

We highly doubt this bar will make you thin, no matter how much you think about it. The only way to have sustainable life-long weight loss and maintenance is through an overall healthy diet and exercise, that includes balance, and yes maybe even a cookie or two.

What is the most ridiculous weight loss claim you have heard lately?