Using Protein Shakes and Bars in Real Life After Bariatric Surgery (Sponsored by AmBari)
Sponsored Disclosure
This post is sponsored by AmBari Nutrition – a trusted medical weight loss company offering protein shakes and bars for bariatric surgery patients. I only partner with brands that align with evidence-based bariatric care and the real needs I see in patients every day. As always, the opinions shared here are my own and based on clinical experience—not sponsorship.
Quick note: As part of this sponsored post, AmBari is also giving away three one-year Bariatric Food Coach Premier Access memberships. I’ll share details on how to enter later in the post!
If you’ve been part of the bariatric world for any length of time, you already know this truth:
Nutrition needs don’t end after surgery, after weight loss, or after the “program” phase.
Protein, micronutrients, and consistency matter long-term—but real life doesn’t always make that easy. Schedules change. Appetite changes. Energy changes. And evenings can be especially tricky.
That’s why I pay attention not just to what nutrition products provide on paper, but how people actually use them in real life.
AmBari sent me several of their protein shakes and bars to try. Below is my honest review—covering taste, nutrition, and when these products actually make sense.
The AmBari Protein Bars: Small, Practical, and Actually Usable
One thing that stood out immediately: these bars are smaller and less dense than many grocery-store protein bars. For bariatric patients, that matters.
Many of their bars provide around:
160 calories
15 grams of protein
A reasonable balance of carbohydrates and fat
Cinnamon Crisp Protein Bar
This is my personal favorite.
Why it works well:
15 g protein
18 g carbohydrates with 5 g fiber
Lower sugar alcohol content than the Vanilla Shortbread (I’ll review the next – some patients may tolerate lower sugar alcohol better)
Warm, lightly sweet flavor that doesn’t feel heavy compared to some more dense protein bars
This bar feels more like a structured snack than a dessert, which for many people makes it easier to stop at one.
Vanilla Shortbread Protein Bar
This one is slightly sweeter and softer, making it a good option for people who prefer milder flavors.
It provides:
15 g protein
19 g carbohydrates with 5 g fiber
A similar micronutrient profile, including iron and calcium
Both bars are tools, not meal replacements forever—and they work best when used intentionally.
When bars make sense:
Travel days
Busy mornings when breakfast might otherwise be skipped
Pre-op liver-shrinking diets (when bars are allowed)
Backup protein during hectic seasons
The Protein Shakes & Smoothies: Flexible, Low-Volume Options
AmBari Nutrition offers a lot of protein shake options. The ones they sent me to sample can be made as a shake or a pudding and provide 15 grams of protein for about 100 calories, which makes them especially useful when appetite is low.
Strawberry Blast Smoothie
This is the lightest option in the lineup.
100 calories
15 g protein
7 g carbohydrates
Very low fat
This one feels refreshing rather than dessert-like and works well for:
Early post-op or low-appetite phases
GLP-1 appetite suppression days
Midday protein support
People who don’t enjoy rich or creamy flavors
It’s not fiber-forward—and that’s okay. Not every protein option needs to do everything.
Milk Chocolate Protein Shake
This is where evening routines come into play.
The Milk Chocolate shake is:
Smooth
Chocolatey without being overwhelming
Satisfying without triggering a snack spiral
One of my favorite features is flexibility:
Mixed thinner → a shake
Mixed thicker → a pudding
That pudding option can be incredibly helpful in the evening, when people want to eat something—not just drink.
This is one I personally like at night as a planned sweet option, rather than grazing.
Hazelnut Cocoa Protein Shake
If Milk Chocolate is classic comfort, Hazelnut Cocoa feels a little more grown-up.
It has:
A deeper cocoa flavor
A subtle nutty note
Less of a “dessert” feel and more of a cozy, coffee-adjacent vibe
I’m a fan of this one as a pudding.
How I Help People Choose Between These Options
For pre-op diets that use shakes or bars, these are great options and AmBari Nutrition has far more flavors than I am sharing here. Early post-op, we know is a world of protein supplements. But the later years? The evening sweet options or easy protein bars for busy days can really help.
Different tools for different moments.
Strawberry Blast → light, refreshing, low-appetite days
Milk Chocolate → evening sweet cravings, pudding option
Hazelnut Cocoa → richer, less sweet, intentional evening routine
Protein Bars → travel, busy mornings, backup meals
None of these replace whole foods long-term—but they can absolutely help bridge gaps when life gets busy or appetite disappears.
A Personal Note About This Partnership
One reason I felt comfortable partnering with AmBari Nutrition goes beyond products.
AmBari is a sponsor of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)—an organization that is deeply important to me and to the work I do.
The OAC supports:
Obesity education
Advocacy for access to care
Awareness that obesity is a chronic disease—not a personal failure
When companies choose to support education and advocacy—not just products—it tells me something about their values. And values matter when I recommend anything to this community.
🎉 Sponsored Giveaway: 3 One-Year Bariatric Food Coach Memberships
AmBari wanted to support this community in a meaningful way, so they’re giving away three full 12-month Premier Access memberships to Bariatric Food Coach.
A Premier Access membership includes:
Evidence-based bariatric nutrition education
Ongoing support between appointments
Tools for real-life challenges (busy seasons, appetite changes, weight recurrence)
A community that understands long-term bariatric care
>> Find out more about Premier Access Members and it all it has to offer on here.
👉 Enter the giveaway here:
Winners will be selected on January 23rd, 2026, and notified by email.
My Bottom Line
Protein shakes and bars are not meant to be your primary food source, but they can be a great help and a supplement to each stage of the journey. They need to be tolerable, practical, and supportive of consistency.
When used intentionally, products like these can support:
Evening structure
Busy mornings
Low-appetite days
Pre-op requirements
Real life
And real life is exactly where bariatric care happens!