Over the weekend I noticed television commercials for FullBar, a product which is claimed to mimic the affects of weight loss surgery when used properly.

I have to say, I was intrigued.

The instructions are as simple as can be: eat a FullBar and drink a glass of water 30 minutes before your two largest meals. This will fill up most of your stomach, and when it’s time to eat you’ll feel satisfied long before you clean your plate. (Watch the video here.)

Clever, but drinking water before a meal is Dieting 101.  Perhaps the secret is in the FullBar?

Not exactly.  To their credit, the marketers of FullBar do explain on their FAQ page that “Fullbar uses normal everyday natural food ingredients which, in combination, have a significant effect on fullness” and that “Fullbar is not designed to suppress appetite…the ingredients, when put in the stomach, simply have the affect of telling your brain that it is full“.  Rather straightforward, although technically most foods when eaten can also signal the brain that you’re full.

If we take a look at the ingredients we find that they are, in fact, everyday foods. There are six FullBar flavors and the ingredients predictably vary with each, but it’s easy to isolate the basic ingredients (another pro: relatively few ingredients and mostly natural): Brown Rice Syrup, Puffed Wheat Cereal, Soy Protein Concentrate, Honey, Gum Arabic, Glycerin, Agave Syrup, Canola Oil and Natural Flavors.  The bulk is clearly the puffed wheat cereal and the likely source of most of the dietary fiber (up to 20%).

How effective is the FullBar program? It’s hard to say without having personally tried it, although it does seem like following the program regularly would result in weight loss – not overnight, but slowly and steadily. Those who want to try it for a short time without a huge financial commitment can try the 2 week trial program.

But are FullBars worth up to $2.50 per bar? Even the lowest price of $1.22 would run you over $73.00/month assuming you eat the recommended two bars per day.

Organic high-fiber wheat cereal is widely available and will cost far less, and sweeteners such as honey can be found at your local grocery store. Anyone can easily gather a few ingredients, find a recipe and make their own homemade bars. No additives, no preservatives, no regret.

From a money-saving perspective, I would have to say that FullBars are definitely not worth it. Making my own bars, or just eating a handful of fiber cereal, is far more affordable and possibly healthier (some FullBar flavors contain high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils).  However, if you’re lucky enough that cost is not an issue, or if convenience is key, FullBar just might be the way to go for hunger management.

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