Banishing my belly with £550 fat freeze was so painful I nearly collapsed but was worth it after losing 6cm from waist
My legs kick in the air as aesthetician Sadaf Jaffari massages and tries to defrost the fat cells in my tummy that she has just
frozen
to an icy four degrees.
Advertisement
8
Jane Atkinson tried CoolSculpting, a £550 non-invasive fat-freezing treatment that promises a flatter tummy without surgery
Credit: Darren Fletcher
8
Jane Atkinson pictured after ten weeks after the procedure with a flatter stomach
Credit: LORNA ROACH
8
Jane pictured before and after the non-surgical, non-invasive fat reduction treatment
The aim is that those dead cells will slowly but surely over the following few weeks pass into my bloodstream and be excreted from my body through my lymphatic system.
Hey presto, a flat stomach for the first time in over a decade.
Advertisement
I was having a slimming tweakment called
It was the same one that stunning,
leggy supermodel Linda
Evangelista had
– but bits of her body actually ended up FATTER.
But after a lot of research, I decided this non-surgical, non-invasive fat reduction treatment really was the one for me.
I have always been an 'apple'.
My legs and arms are decent, but as I've got older the weight – and fat – has piled on around my middle.
Advertisement
Although
I'm far too old for a bikini, I did fancy the idea of having a flatter and even slightly toned stomach again, so I could wear some figure-hugging outfits.
I've had Botox with
celebrity
favourite Sadaf for many years.
She's a woman I trust and is so experienced with this treatment that she has been dubbed the 'CoolSculpting Queen'.
Inside the horrifying High St beauty firm butchering patients in dirty rooms with dodgy liposuction, fillers and BBLs
At her clinic in London's
Chelsea
, she explained how the body-contouring and fat-reduction treatment has changed since supermodel Linda had it.
Three years ago, one of the most photographed women in the world revealed that she had been left 'permanently deformed' and 'brutally disfigured' from the
Advertisement
She suffered
Linda had 'full-body liposuction' procedures in 2016 and 2017 to try and remove the hardened fat.
So you would think I was nuts to even attempt to have this.
But Sadaf explained how there was a new newly designed machine which provides better skin contact and more effective cooling. There is still a risk of PAH, but it's minimal.
My hour-long session cost £550 and kicked off with a rather embarrassing photo shoot.
Advertisement
I had to strip to my undies and stand sideways as her assistant snapped pics of my bulging tummy.
8
Jane pictured with aesthetician Sadaf Jaffari during the procedure
Credit: Darren Fletcher
8
Half an hour later, she was back to start the 'hideously intense' massage to destroy the fat crystals
Credit: Darren Fletcher
Instinctively, I wanted to suck it all in, but that would have defeated the whole point.
Sadaf then soothingly agreed that I was a great candidate.
Which meant, in polite terms, I had plenty of pinchable fat.
Advertisement
I lay back on a bed in her clinic and she drew around an area of my muffin top before spreading over a heavy gauze with a thick jelly texture.
Then she grabbed the CoolSculpting 'head', which was a 30cm long and 10cm wide contraption attached to a large machine by a tube.
She laid the head on top of the gauze pad.
And that's when the fun really started. The machine began to make sucking and gulping noises as it suctioned my fat up and away into the gadget – and started to freeze it.
I sensed an intense cooling sensation for around two minutes, which might not sound very long, but it felt strange. And for the first time I started to wonder what on
earth
I was actually doing there.
'Just give it a couple of minutes,' Sadaf assured me. 'And then you won't feel a thing.'
Advertisement
She was right of course, all of a sudden everything went completely numb. If I am honest, it was all quite pleasant.
I just lay there, scrolling on my phone. I FaceTimed a friend, did a bit of work and happily daydreamed of my new toned and honed physique.
But the relaxed vibes were short-lived. Half an hour later, she was back to start the hideously intense massage.
Sadaf is petite – tiny in fact – but she is stronger than she looks and defrosting the crystals is agony.
The relaxed vibes were short-lived. Half an hour later, she was back to start the hideously intense massage
'This is the most important bit,' she said. 'This is how you get the best results.'
Advertisement
But I was warned to be patient. I had to wait several weeks before I started to notice those eagerly anticipated results.
And in the meantime I had to be brave and learn to deal with the strangest of sensations.
First off, the area felt entirely numb.
8
Leggy supermodel Linda Evangelista had the same procedure – but actually ended up FATTER due to a rare side effect
Credit: Getty
8
Jane had to wait several weeks before she started to notice the results
Credit: Darren Fletcher
Advertisement
Because the device freezes fat, the nerves under the skin also get a chilling blast and it takes a while for them to come back to life. It looked bloated and swollen, but if I touched it, flicked it or squeezed it as hard as I could, I felt nothing. Absolutely no sensation at all. Zilch.
And I was fine with that.
But then, after about ten days, the itching started to creep in.
And boy did it itch.
Imagine an army of angry ants crawling slowly but surely all over your torso.
After speaking to Sadaf, she suggested taking antihistamines. The itching is often a result of the body's inflammatory response to the fat cell damage.
Advertisement
As I am prone to an allergy or two, I had plenty of tablets at my disposal. After taking them for a couple of days, the itching subsided.
On the upside, at least I knew that the weirdness meant it was working.
Unlike the
CoolSculpting is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment and it can take months for results to show.
SMOOTHER STOMACH
But now, ten weeks later, I can definitely see some.
Advertisement
The whole area around my stomach is smoother and less flabby. You can visibly see that there is less fat there.
8
Jane says the whole area around her stomach is smoother and less flabby - and was able to wear a tight dress during a recent holiday
Credit: LORNA ROACH
I recently went on holiday and could wear a tight dress without having a bulging gut.
I even asked The Geordie – my husband, who is a man of few compliments – if it looked any flatter and he agreed it did. Result!
And the tape measure even shows results too.
Advertisement
At a recent health check up I discovered that I've lost 6cm off my waist in the past year. And I know there's zero chance of that being down to sit ups or knocking Sauvignon Blanc on the head!
I am planning to have another round of CoolSculpting – when I have saved up for it, because it does cost £550 a go – as there is no limit to the number of treatments you can have. You just need to wait for a couple of months in between them.
Obviously the quicker route to achieve fat melting is the surgical one, but the risks and costs are so much higher and CoolSculpting really is something you can have during your lunchtime.
So – unless you want to tell the world about it, as I have just done – it can be your own little secret.
For more information on CoolSculpting visit
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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I nearly died after being injected with fake Botox… doctors sent me home after mistaking key side effect
GAZING up at all the medics around her bed, Kaylie Marie Bailey realised with horror that they were fighting to save her life. Around an hour earlier she had been helped into bed at Sunderland Royal Hospital after collapsing in a toilet. Advertisement 6 Mum Kaylie Marie Bailey tells of her nightmare after terrifying reaction to a beauty jab - and the tell-tale signs you should look out for Credit: Glen Minikin 6 Kaylie Marie ended up fighting for her life at Sunderland Royal Hospital's A&E Credit: Family Handout Unknown to Kaylie she had then stopped breathing and staff had rushed to her aid. Earlier that night, the mum-of-three had lost consciousness at home after suffering a terrifying reaction to what she incorrectly believed to be an authentic Botox treatment that she had treated herself to a couple of weeks earlier. She says of waking up in hospital: 'I must have blacked out, because when I came round there were about 20 people around me and I could hear them yelling instructions to each other. There was also a tube down my throat.' Advertisement Kaylie Marie was later told a resuscitator had been used to restart her breathing. The 36-year-old was one of 28 people in County Durham injected with a batch of fake Botox that appears to have been contaminated with the lethal The product used was Toxpia, an unlicensed South Korean anti-wrinkle solution illegal to sell or supply in the UK. It was responsible for Britain's biggest botulism outbreak in 100 years and Kaylie Marie's case was among the most serious. Her life was saved by medics who resuscitated her using a manual respirator to push oxygen into her lungs. Advertisement 'Law change' Public health officials are investigating the source of the outbreak but so far Durham police have not launched an inquiry. At her home in Peterlee, a month after being injected, Kaylie Marie wears an eye patch to correct double vision, and supports her weak right arm, which she can barely lift, on her knee. Tweakment Trials - Botox 'It's disgraceful that anyone can become a Botox specialist and start injecting people without any screening and with no qualifications,' she says tearfully. 'The law needs to change to regulate the aesthetics industry, because there are people out there who are playing with people's lives.' Kaylie Marie's world was turned upside down when, on May 30, she contacted a local beautician on Facebook Messenger, asking for a Advertisement It was a decision that very nearly robbed her one-month-old son Albie and her two other children, Olly, 12, and Leo , eight, of their mum, and it has left Kaylie Marie's future health under a cloud of uncertainty. That day, she went for her Botox appointment at a hair salon in Blackhall Rocks, County Durham. She had had Botox four times before, but not for about 18 months. The salon owner was renting out a room at the back to a beautician who was visiting the area for a two-day stint. Kaylie Marie says: 'After having my little boy I wanted to give myself a makeover and feel nice again. I have always hated the frown line that creeps back on my forehead. 'I was slightly late for my appointment and felt as though the beautician was in a rush. 'I asked for three spots to be injected — the sides of my eyes, my forehead and between my eyes. Advertisement 'But as soon as she injected me, it stung and my eyes started watering. The beautician joked about it and said, 'I seem to be making everyone's eyes water today'. 'I couldn't shake it off' 'As I was about to pay my usual £150, she said 'that will be £75'. I was surprised it was so cheap and now I'm wondering whether she was charging less because she had paid less for the chemical.' 'I thought nothing of the stinging and was back in my dad's car within ten minutes.' Over the weekend, Kaylie Marie began to feel dizzy and ill and her left eye wasn't opening fully. She told herself it just needed to settle, but on the Monday, while driving Olly to a school appointment, she realised something was wrong. Advertisement 6 Kaylie Marie, pictured before being injected with fake Botox, was later told a resuscitator had been used to restart her breathing. Credit: Glen Minikin 6 Kaylie Marie was later told a resuscitator had been used to restart her breathing Credit: Glen Minikin 'There was a bus in front of me which suddenly split into two, driving side by side,' she says. 'I blinked to correct my vision, but nothing happened. I was stuck with terrible double vision and couldn't shake it off.' With three young children to look after, she felt she had no choice but to carry on, despite her partner Craig Perry, 38, expressing concern. Advertisement It was her sister Danielle, 39, who told her to seek medical help when she saw her eye drooping. It was Friday, June 6 and after securing a GP appointment, she was taken to A&E. Kaylie Marie says: 'My vision was so bad it looked like everyone in the waiting room was sitting with their twin. 'I was given morphine and a CT scan, but was sent home when a consultant diagnosed ptosis, which just means a drooping eyelid. I started to lose consciousness, to think about the children. I'm dying, I thought. 'Instinctively I knew they had got it wrong, but what could I do?' She soldiered on for another week, unaware the botulism bacterium were damaging her central nervous system. Advertisement It was a fortnight after the fake Botox injections that a correct diagnosis was finally made and she was sent to hospital by her GP. Kaylie Marie says: 'In the week since I'd last been in the hospital, news of the botulism outbreak had started to spread. The hospital had treated other women. I was told there was an anti-toxin, but it was in such short supply and so expensive it was only being given to the most urgent cases, and I didn't qualify.' As Friday, June 13 was drawing to a close, Kaylie Marie's breathing was becoming shallower and shallower, until it stopped completely. She says: 'I'd rushed to the loo where I was sick and collapsed. What to look out for... GOVERNMENT-approved organisation Save Face, which campaigns for safer cosmetic procedures, has this advice: Always visit a trained healthcare practitioner such as a doctor, nurse, dentist or a prescribing pharmacist. Avoid cheap treatments and time-limited offers – it may indicate that corners are being cut. Know the full name, credentials and contact details of the person who is treating you. Do not visit a practitioner who only operates on social media and who will not disclose this information. Arrange a consultation and don't be afraid to ask questions. Discuss your concerns and desired outcomes. 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'I would encourage anyone who has recently undertaken an aesthetic procedure and is experiencing any of the symptoms listed to contact NHS 111 or, if it feels life-threatening, go to A&E.' A spokesperson for Sunderland Royal Hospital said: 'When the patient was discharged following her first attendance, she was advised to visit her GP if her condition worsened. It was explained her symptoms were likely to be related to botox, which can resolve without specific treatment. 'As soon as there were regional communications about this issue, actions were taken quickly and staff were made aware. Advice was sought when she was admitted later in June.' Advertisement Kaylie Marie says: 'I took legal advice as soon as I was well enough. 'It was soon found that the beautician doesn't have insurance as she claimed so I'm unlikely to get meaningful compensation. 'She apologised and said there was a problem with the product on a nationwide level.' Kaylie Marie is yet to discover what lasting damage the botulism may have done. She says: 'I'm stuck in the house with double vision, weakness in my arms and doctors are unable to say when or if I'll fully recover. Advertisement 'These injections have become part of everyday life, but I hope that this will make people think very carefully about who they go to — or whether to go at all.' 6 The mum-of-three had lost consciousness at home after suffering a terrifying reaction to a Botox treatment two weeks earlier Credit: Glen Minikin 6 Kaylie Marie was later moved to intensive care, where she was eventually given the anti-toxin Credit: Glen Minikin A spokesperson for Sunderland Royal Hospital said: "When the patient was discharged following her first attendance, she was advised to visit her GP if her condition worsened, or did not improve after a few weeks, for a referral to an eye specialist. 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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Banishing my belly with £550 fat freeze was so painful I nearly collapsed but was worth it after losing 6cm from waist
AS a roll of frozen fat the colour and shape of an extra large hot dog is forcibly massaged back into my stomach area I think, just for a second, that I may actually pass out. My legs kick in the air as aesthetician Sadaf Jaffari massages and tries to defrost the fat cells in my tummy that she has just frozen to an icy four degrees. Advertisement 8 Jane Atkinson tried CoolSculpting, a £550 non-invasive fat-freezing treatment that promises a flatter tummy without surgery Credit: Darren Fletcher 8 Jane Atkinson pictured after ten weeks after the procedure with a flatter stomach Credit: LORNA ROACH 8 Jane pictured before and after the non-surgical, non-invasive fat reduction treatment The aim is that those dead cells will slowly but surely over the following few weeks pass into my bloodstream and be excreted from my body through my lymphatic system. Hey presto, a flat stomach for the first time in over a decade. Advertisement I was having a slimming tweakment called It was the same one that stunning, leggy supermodel Linda Evangelista had – but bits of her body actually ended up FATTER. But after a lot of research, I decided this non-surgical, non-invasive fat reduction treatment really was the one for me. I have always been an 'apple'. My legs and arms are decent, but as I've got older the weight – and fat – has piled on around my middle. Advertisement Although I'm far too old for a bikini, I did fancy the idea of having a flatter and even slightly toned stomach again, so I could wear some figure-hugging outfits. I've had Botox with celebrity favourite Sadaf for many years. She's a woman I trust and is so experienced with this treatment that she has been dubbed the 'CoolSculpting Queen'. Inside the horrifying High St beauty firm butchering patients in dirty rooms with dodgy liposuction, fillers and BBLs At her clinic in London's Chelsea , she explained how the body-contouring and fat-reduction treatment has changed since supermodel Linda had it. Three years ago, one of the most photographed women in the world revealed that she had been left 'permanently deformed' and 'brutally disfigured' from the Advertisement She suffered Linda had 'full-body liposuction' procedures in 2016 and 2017 to try and remove the hardened fat. So you would think I was nuts to even attempt to have this. But Sadaf explained how there was a new newly designed machine which provides better skin contact and more effective cooling. There is still a risk of PAH, but it's minimal. My hour-long session cost £550 and kicked off with a rather embarrassing photo shoot. Advertisement I had to strip to my undies and stand sideways as her assistant snapped pics of my bulging tummy. 8 Jane pictured with aesthetician Sadaf Jaffari during the procedure Credit: Darren Fletcher 8 Half an hour later, she was back to start the 'hideously intense' massage to destroy the fat crystals Credit: Darren Fletcher Instinctively, I wanted to suck it all in, but that would have defeated the whole point. Sadaf then soothingly agreed that I was a great candidate. Which meant, in polite terms, I had plenty of pinchable fat. Advertisement I lay back on a bed in her clinic and she drew around an area of my muffin top before spreading over a heavy gauze with a thick jelly texture. Then she grabbed the CoolSculpting 'head', which was a 30cm long and 10cm wide contraption attached to a large machine by a tube. She laid the head on top of the gauze pad. And that's when the fun really started. The machine began to make sucking and gulping noises as it suctioned my fat up and away into the gadget – and started to freeze it. I sensed an intense cooling sensation for around two minutes, which might not sound very long, but it felt strange. And for the first time I started to wonder what on earth I was actually doing there. 'Just give it a couple of minutes,' Sadaf assured me. 'And then you won't feel a thing.' Advertisement She was right of course, all of a sudden everything went completely numb. If I am honest, it was all quite pleasant. I just lay there, scrolling on my phone. I FaceTimed a friend, did a bit of work and happily daydreamed of my new toned and honed physique. But the relaxed vibes were short-lived. Half an hour later, she was back to start the hideously intense massage. Sadaf is petite – tiny in fact – but she is stronger than she looks and defrosting the crystals is agony. The relaxed vibes were short-lived. Half an hour later, she was back to start the hideously intense massage 'This is the most important bit,' she said. 'This is how you get the best results.' Advertisement But I was warned to be patient. I had to wait several weeks before I started to notice those eagerly anticipated results. And in the meantime I had to be brave and learn to deal with the strangest of sensations. First off, the area felt entirely numb. 8 Leggy supermodel Linda Evangelista had the same procedure – but actually ended up FATTER due to a rare side effect Credit: Getty 8 Jane had to wait several weeks before she started to notice the results Credit: Darren Fletcher Advertisement Because the device freezes fat, the nerves under the skin also get a chilling blast and it takes a while for them to come back to life. It looked bloated and swollen, but if I touched it, flicked it or squeezed it as hard as I could, I felt nothing. Absolutely no sensation at all. Zilch. And I was fine with that. But then, after about ten days, the itching started to creep in. And boy did it itch. Imagine an army of angry ants crawling slowly but surely all over your torso. After speaking to Sadaf, she suggested taking antihistamines. The itching is often a result of the body's inflammatory response to the fat cell damage. Advertisement As I am prone to an allergy or two, I had plenty of tablets at my disposal. After taking them for a couple of days, the itching subsided. On the upside, at least I knew that the weirdness meant it was working. Unlike the CoolSculpting is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment and it can take months for results to show. SMOOTHER STOMACH But now, ten weeks later, I can definitely see some. Advertisement The whole area around my stomach is smoother and less flabby. You can visibly see that there is less fat there. 8 Jane says the whole area around her stomach is smoother and less flabby - and was able to wear a tight dress during a recent holiday Credit: LORNA ROACH I recently went on holiday and could wear a tight dress without having a bulging gut. I even asked The Geordie – my husband, who is a man of few compliments – if it looked any flatter and he agreed it did. Result! And the tape measure even shows results too. Advertisement At a recent health check up I discovered that I've lost 6cm off my waist in the past year. And I know there's zero chance of that being down to sit ups or knocking Sauvignon Blanc on the head! I am planning to have another round of CoolSculpting – when I have saved up for it, because it does cost £550 a go – as there is no limit to the number of treatments you can have. You just need to wait for a couple of months in between them. Obviously the quicker route to achieve fat melting is the surgical one, but the risks and costs are so much higher and CoolSculpting really is something you can have during your lunchtime. So – unless you want to tell the world about it, as I have just done – it can be your own little secret. For more information on CoolSculpting visit
The Irish Sun
29-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
I tasted 9 protein bars – all were delicious but most were packed with nasty ingredients or sugar
THE words 'high protein' are stamped on pretty much every food these days. There's Advertisement 13 Lucy Gornall tried a number of protein bars - were they delicious as well as nutritious? Credit: Darren Fletcher But one of the easiest protein products to reach for is the In the 1970s, bodybuilders and athletes used them to aid muscle growth and recovery. But they became mainstream by the 1990s, and in 2025, more than a fifth of us eat them every single week. The global protein bar market is now thought to be worth a staggering $14.2billion and is only set to rise. Advertisement Read more on fitness food But are protein bars actually healthy, and are some better than others? Experts say they can be, but some contain nasty ingredients, with links to gut issues. Here's the lowdown. WHAT IS PROTEIN? PROTEIN is an essential macronutrient. Advertisement Most read in Health Exclusive It's Good sources include meat, fish, eggs, tofu, beans and dairy, to name just a few. High-protein snack ideas that are quick and easy But when we don't have time to whip up a meal or we need an alternative to sugar-laden biscuits and fatty crisps, many of us turn to protein bars. 13 Protein bars have become so popular that even brands known for their chocolate make them - but the nutrition on the label reveals the ones worth trying Credit: Getty Advertisement Protein bars offer a convenient, on-the-go option to easily increase your intake. But are they as healthy as we think? As a personal trainer, health writer and general wellness and fitness fanatic, I decided to pay several to the test, and ask experts for their verdict too. BodyMe Turmeric Lemon Protein bar: 5/5 Price: £32 for 12 ( Protein: 16.4g per 60g bar (27.3g per 100g) Sugar: 15.7g per 60g bar (26.2g per 100g) Fat: 10.8g per 60g bar (18g per 100g) Fibre: 2.5g per 60g bar (4.2g per 100g) Calories: 155 per 60g bar (258 per 100g) 13 BodyMe Turmeric Lemon Protein bar Credit: BodyMe Advertisement 13 Lucy called the BodyMe protein bar a "definite winner" Credit: Darren Fletcher A VEGAN-friendly bar with 16g of plant protein from a mix of peas, brown rice and hemp, registered nutritionist 'Hemp has a higher 'This bar doesn't contain artificial sweeteners or other additives and the ingredients are all organic too, which can help to reduce your exposure to pesticides and other chemicals.' Advertisement Taste test: This flavour makes a change from the usual peanut butter and chocolate protein bars that I'm used to. The strong lemon flavour makes it taste a little like lemon meringue pie, however it's not overly sweet. I like how fudgy it is, without tearing my teeth out with every bite. A definite winner! Protein Ball Co High Protein Peanut Butter Energy Balls: 5/5 Price: £18.99 for 10 bags ( Advertisement Protein: 10g per 45g bag (22.1g per 100g) Sugar: 16.1g per 45g bag (35.7g per 100g) Fat: 8.2g per 45g bag (18.3g per 100g) Fibre: 2.7g per 45g bag (6g per 100g) Calories: 188 per 45 bag (417 per 100g) 13 Protein Ball Co High Protein Peanut Butter Energy Balls Credit: Protein Ball Co 'MADE largely with dates and nuts, this is a whole food-based product that provides better nutritional value than most other 'protein' bars and snacks,' says Claire. 'The 10g of protein per pack comes from the nuts, as well as whey protein isolate, which is considered to be a high-quality protein that's absorbed well and can help with muscle gain and cardiometabolic health.' It has the benefit of added vitamin D3, which supports bone health, mood regulation and immune function, and it's free from artificial sweeteners. Advertisement Taste test: Like sweet, nutty, chewy balls of goodness, I love the nut lumps in these balls. They're super squidgy and delicious, and pretty healthy! Holland & Barrett Triactive Pistachio and Cranberry bar: 4.5/5 Price: £2.50 ( Protein: 8.7g per 50g bar (17g per 100g) Sugar: 11g per 50g bar (23g per 100g) Fat: 14g per 50g bar (28g per 100g) Fibre: 6.7g per 50g bar (13g per 100g) Calories: 250 per 50g bar (500 per 100g) 13 Holland & Barrett Triactive Pistachio and Cranberry bar Credit: Holland & Barrett Advertisement PRIMARILY made from peanuts, pistachios, dried cranberries and oats, this bar contains 8.7g of protein, which is slightly less than many others out there. However, it does also contain 6.7g of fibre, which Claire says is a 'plus' for this type of product. 'This has added B vitamins and Taste test: This is very tough on the jaw but tastes delicious. You wouldn't think it was a protein bar. Advertisement The pistachio lumps are great and I felt considerably full after eating a whole bar. 4. The Fast 800 Dark Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bar: 4/5 Price: £26.99 for 12 ( Protein: 14g per 45g bar (30g per 100g) Sugar: 1g per 45g bar (2.3g per 100g) Fat: 10g per 45g bar (22g per 100g) Fibre: 9g per 45g bar (20g per 100g) Calories: 192 per 45g bar (426 per 100g) 13 The Fast 800 Dark Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bar Credit: The Fast 800 EACH bar contains 14g of protein, coming from vegan sources like pea and rice. Advertisement 'This product also contains 9g of fibre (nearly a third of your recommended daily fibre intake), seemingly from the added chicory root fibre - a prebiotic fibre that feeds beneficial gut bacteria,' says Claire. 'Be careful though, as this could trigger bloating and gas in some people, particularly in excess. 'This bar also uses artificial sweeteners (a polyol called xylitol), which can trigger gut issues and have laxative effects, particularly if you're eating them regularly.' Taste test: Dark chocolate raspberry seems to be a popular protein bar choice but I'm here for it. Advertisement This tastes like a chocolate bar but knowing it's not filled with cr** makes me feel much less guilty. 5. Warrior Crunch Fudge Brownie: 3.5/5 Price: £2.08 ( Protein: 20g per 64g bar (31g per 100g) Sugar: 2.1g per 64g bar (3.3g per 100g) Fat: 11g per 64g bar (17g per 100g) Fibre: 0g per 64g bar (0g per 100g) Calories: 239 per 64g bar (374 per 100g) 13 Warrior Crunch Fudge Brownie Credit: Warrior Cheap high protein foods Lucy Gornall reveals some of the best protein sources that won't break the bank: Tinned fish Mackerel 15g per 100g Tuna 25g per 100g Sardines and salmon 17g per 100g Cottage cheese 10g per 100g Plain/Greek yoghurt 4 to 10.5g per 100g; Greek yoghurt has more protein than plain or natural yoghurt, but the former is more expensive Stewing cuts of meat Beef shin - 20 to 22g per 100g Lamb shoulder - 17 to 20g per 100g Oxtail - 19.6g per 100g Non-Gmo tofu Firm tofu 12 to 16g per 100g Silken tofu 6.5g per 100g WITH an impressive 20g of protein per bar, which Warrior says is 'almost as much as a chicken breast', this is a handy way to top up your protein. Advertisement But Claire warns: 'It's not just about the protein. In a chicken breast, you'd get the protein alongside lots of other important nutrients, including B vitamins, zinc, iron, selenium and more.' She says that despite this bar being 'low sugar', the 'They're approved for safe use as food additives, however more research is being done and the European Food Standards Association is currently re-evaluating the safety of maltitol, which is used in this bar." Healthline says: 'After eating maltitol, some people experience stomach pains and gas. It can also act similarly to a laxative and cause Advertisement 'The severity of these side effects depends on how much of it you eat and how your body reacts to it.' Taste test: This tastes rich, exactly like a naughty brownie. The colourful little edible balls add an extra crunch and the bar generally is just the right amount of chewy. 6. Free Soul Chocolate Caramel and Peanut Vegan protein bar Price: £16 for 12 (from Advertisement Protein: 16.5g per 50g bar (33g per 100g) Sugar: 0.5g per 50g bar (0.9g per 100g) Fat: 6g per 50g bar (12.1g per 100g) Fibre: 3.6g per 50g bar (7.1g per 100g) Calories: 159 per 50g bar (319 per 100g) 13 Free Soul Chocolate Caramel and Peanut Vegan Protein Bar Credit: Free Soul THESE are described as 'incredibly delicious, triple-layered, plant-based protein bars coated in real dark chocolate with a gooey core'. Each one contains a decent 16.5g of protein and 3.6g of fibre. 'The sugar and calorie content are very low at 0.5g and around 159 respectively, however these bars do contain sugar alcohols like maltitol and xylitol,' says registered nutritionist Advertisement 'They also contain more processed ingredients than I would typically like to see in a protein bar.' This includes the emulsifier lecithin, the humectant vegetable glycerine, polydextrose as a bulking agent and gum acacia as a thickener. Taste test: The chocolate is super milky. I popped this in the microwave for 45 seconds and let it melt a little for a bit more of a gooey bar. Advertisement 7. Fuel 10k Peanut Butter oat bar: 3/5 Price: £2.24 for 3 ( Protein: 9.7g per 45g bar (21.6g per 100g) Sugar: 8.4g per 45g bar (18.8g per 100g) Fat: 9.4g per 45g bar (20.9g per 100g) Fibre: 5.1g per 45g bar (11.3g per 100g) Calories: 192 per 45g bar (426 per 100g) 13 Fuel 10k Peanut Butter Oat Bar Credit: Fuel 13 Lucy says this is a good option for those who like oats for breakfast Credit: Darren Fletcher CLARISSA says: 'This offers a convenient, vegan snack with 9.7g of protein and 5.1g of fibre. Advertisement 'However, it contains 8.4g of sugar per serving, which is relatively high for a snack.' With added sugars like rice syrup and refined sugar, stabilisers and natural flavourings, this one is best as an emergency snack option. 'I wouldn't lean on it daily if you're aiming for minimally processed choices and less sugar,' Clarissa adds. . Taste test: If you like oats for breakfast, this is your bar. Advertisement It's crunchy and chewy in one with plenty of pumpkin seeds and sweet bits of dried fruit. 8. Real Meal Blueberry & Almond: 2.5/5 Price: £4.99 for one ( Protein: 26g per 150g bar (17.3g per 100g) Sugar: 39.5g per 150g bar (26.3g per 100g) Fat: 22.1g per 150g bar (14.7g per 100g) Fibre: 13.5g per 150g bar (9g per 100g) Calories: 603 per 150g (402 per 100g) 13 Real Meal Blueberry & Almond Credit: Real. Meal MADE from mostly whole food ingredients with 26g of protein and 14g of fibre per bar, Clarissa says this is great for feeling full and for muscle maintenance. Advertisement 'The sugar content is quite high at nearly 40g per bar – more than a can of Coke!' she adds. 'That's likely down to the fact that this is designed to provide energy and fuel for performance. 'I wouldn't say this is a great everyday option for those who aren't fueling for intense exercise like a marathon.' Taste test: Yum! The Blueberry & Almond flavour tastes like a berry, marzipan-style pie. Advertisement It's chewy and tasty and filled with chia seeds. It's actually surprisingly filling too. 9. MyProtein Filled Wafer in Hazelnut: 2.5/5 Price: £15.99 for 12 ( Protein: 4.5g per 24g bar (20g per 100g) Sugar: 7g per 24g bar (29g per 100g) Fat: 8.7g per 24g bar (36g per 100g) Fibre: 0g per 24g bar (1g per 100g) Calories: 133 per 24g bar (553 per 100g) 13 MyProtein Filled Wafer in Hazelnut Credit: MyProtein AS a protein-enriched bar rather than a protein bar, this only provides 4.8g of protein. Advertisement Claire says this should only be seen as a sweet snack, just like you would see a chocolate bar. 'As well as the whey protein isolate, this product is made from sugar, different types of fat (shea fat, palm and milk fat), with chocolate, emulsifiers and flavourings,' she adds. Taste test: I expected this to taste like a Kinder Bueno bar and to be honest, it's not far off, just a little less creamy. But it still tastes naughty and thanks to being a wafer, it's super light. Advertisement Protein isn't just for bulking in the gym. It is the building block of a number of systems in the body. What is protein needed for? Protein isn't just for bulking in the gym. It is the building block of a number of systems in the body. These are just some... Muscle repair: Protein helps build and repair muscle tissues, making it vital for athletes, bodybuilders, and those recovering from injuries. Supports immune system: Proteins are involved in the production of antibodies, which help fight infections and diseases. Hormone production: Protein is necessary for the creation of enzymes and hormones that regulate bodily processes, such as digestion and metabolism. Skin, hair, and nails: Protein contributes to the maintenance of skin elasticity, hair strength, and nail growth. Energy: While carbohydrates and fats are the primary energy sources, protein can act as an energy reserve when needed. Weight control: Protein helps you feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and supporting healthy weight loss or maintenance.
