I’m having a hard time starting this review. I’m just not a negative person and I hate doing bad reviews. Normally I have something nice to say about most products but FullBar has me stumped for a few reasons. Before I get into them let me tell you a bit about the product. This is from their website…
Simply eat FullBar with an 8-ounce glass of water 30 minutes before your 2 biggest meals of the day. The upper part of your stomach is stretched out and tells your brain: "Stop! I’m full!" That’s because FullBar uses the same principles as weight-loss surgery. By meal time, you’ll eat less and your hunger will be completely satisfied.
Now, as a self proclaimed "eater" I get the whole ‘need to feel full’ thing. I really do. I love to eat and would routinely eat beyond a comfortable feeling or as Weight Watchers puts it "until satisfied." I know my problem with weight started from eating too much and it took me a long time grappling with portion sizes to get where I am today (maintaining a 65lbs loss for 3 years now.)
So the idea of eating something before a meal to help you feel full makes sense to me. However, why would you want to eat something unsatisfying? And I mean that on a taste front. Fullbar claims it’s bars have "just 180 calories or less, which is fewer calories than in a cup of most canned applesauce." True, but I’d rather use that 180 calories on something that tastes good AND fills me up, like 2 apples or 3 cups of carrots or an entire butternut squash made into fries? I mean really, if you like to eat don’t you want to eat food, REAL food that tastes good?
The only way I can describe how Fullbar actually tastes is a glob of stale puffed wheat cereal glued together with something sticky, like honey. Sure they have flavors like Cranberry Almond, Cocoa Chip and Peanut Butter Crunch but they all tasted the same to me because I couldn’t get past the first bite. (That’s coming from the girl who LOVES Vitalicious and Zone Bars)
Gosh, that was mean. I’m sorry Fullbar but I need to be honest here. Besides the taste I have a problem with the idea behind the product. If you are trying to lose weight and say you like the Fullbars enough to have one before each meal. I’m sure they do actually help you feel full so you start eating less. But what do you do after you drop the pounds? Are you now stuck buying Fullbars for life because you never learned how to adjust your diet and portions for long term success?
I’m here to tell you that you can control your crazy appetite without such products. I know because I did/do it. You are talking to a girl who could easily put down 5-6 slices a pizza in the blink of an eye. I never had a problem with a 12-inch sub loaded with the works and portions sizes at Italian places just don’t scare me, I welcome the pound of pasta. I could put me down some food! But I was able to lose and maintain a loss with that appetite because I learned how to bulk my meals with low calorie, feel full foods that are good for me. Zucchini, winter squash, peppers, carrots, broccoli. I learned to use these types of foods in a way to help me feel full much like the The Volumetrics Book
So if you feel like you need a product to help you feel full before a meal try drinking a glass of water with 1 and 1/4 cups puffed wheat cereal with 1 cup of skim milk and a 1/2 cup of blueberries. According to NutritionData.com that’s exactly 180 calories, has less ingredients and probably fills you up just as much (note: one of the main ingredients in FullBar is puffed wheat). Not to mention you can buy 12 bags of puffed wheat
I realize now I will never get another product to review and I’m ok with that. This had to be said. I’m tired of these diet products taking advantage of desperate dieters who will do anything to lose weight.
106 Responses to Fullbar Review / Rant
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
I have been using Fullbar and I definitely eat less food. I honestly don’t think they taste bad at all. I happen to like the texture. It’s different, but I personally don’t mind it. I use Fullbar 1/2 hour before lunch and 1/2 hour before dinner. I lost 5 lbs. the first two weeks. I will keep going with it. I think John Birmingham came on too strong in his first post, but he was angry that the product he liked was being bashed. I can understand how he feels. I am not condoning his initial actions, but can put myself in his shoes to understand why he did that. When I initially read the article, I also felt a bit defensive to Fullbar because it personally is working for me.
My gosh, you are quite rude. You come across as pretentious and a know it all. I love the line of products made by full bar. They work and incase you hadnt noticed, they do contribute to managing your intake of food. If you are concious and aware of what you are putting in your mouth, that is half the battle. MORE THAN HALF. I lost 90 pounds and have kept it off for 5 years. I know this is your blog, (and I’m sure it makes you feel like God) but, you are not everyone. Your way is not the only way. The products work as described, and that is what matters.
What makes me any more pretentious then you for sharing my opinion? You just did the same thing.
You’ve had success with them? AWESOME! I’m glad they worked for you. It stil doesn’t change the fact that I don’t like them.
Thanks for adding your experience and congrats on your weight loss.
Yeah Roni..I would have to agree with Sara. My comment in support of the bars, was also slammed. Not sure why you make this exchange such a bad experience…odd. Our exchange took place over a year ago and I still remember your odd attack response.
You guys are cracking me up. How did I slam either of your comments? I left them up, allowing you to share your opinion on my blog. Yes, “allowing” as this is MY blog and in a way I am a “god” as Sara mentioned.
I think it’s great that you guys are leaving comments in support of the product! For those that find my post and disagree with me they can read thru the comments and see that others share their opinion too.
That’s how I run the comment section of my blog. I’m not apologizing for not liking a product and then sharing that opinion in a space that I created specifically to share my opinion.
And if I remember correctly Sharon, you attacked me making a claim that I removed part of you comment. Which I would never, EVER do.
Comments are close. I don’t have time to defend an opinion I posted 2 years ago. For that that like the product, I’m glad it’s working for you.