Looking for LC Product in Vancouver

[Christine]

Hi:
This is my first try on this particular board...I was at ivillage's but I found that I was the only Canadian and no one had ideas about where to find products (obviously!).
I have been on the Atkins diet since Oct'00 and have lost about 40 pounds. I am hoping to lose about 10-20 more but have been in a stall and losing VERY SLOWLY since Christmas.
I tend to be quite picky about what I eat so I don't think its from cheating.

I am having a hard time finding bars here in BC that are low carb, that are allowed on the Atkins diet. I splurged a month ago and bought 4 flavors of Atkins from the US, spent alot of money and found all flavors to be a waste of money. The Choc. Mocha is my fav, but is unavailable here anyway!

I have heard blurbs on Biochem's Ultimate Low Carb 2 bars as being good and the Carb Solutions but cannot find them here and cannot afford high shipping costs from the US.
I even went as far as calling carb solutions and they said the bars are available at Wal-Marts. She assured me that they are here. After I called every one in the lower mainland I was told by one of the manager's that the rep must have been mistaken, even though I clearly said "CANADA" more than once.
Its very frustrating but I am still not giving up hope that one day I will find them.
Sorry for the long letter, but one last thing, are there actually meetings here in Vancouver for people who are on Atkins? I would love to join one...
Thanks and that's all,

[r.mines]

Hi, Christine! Nice to see another member on the board, and another Vancouverite!

We don't have 'official' meetings as such, but there are a few of us who get together for coffees, dinners out, or potlucks once in a while. Wa'il, Karen, and I - or maybe any two of us, depending on who's around - seem to meet for coffee every couple of Sundays, more or less. Of course anyone's welcome to join us; so far it's just been the three of us, though.

It's a lot of fun - we exchange recipies, LC ideas, and just general chitchat about the state of the world, and so on.

I can't make it this Sunday (working) and Karen's out of town for a couple of weeks, but maybe next Sunday? Check out (or post) in the 'Local Low Carbers' section. We'll try to keep in touch.

Hope to see you soon!
Rachel

[shal]

Hi all

This is my first time to this site. I also cannot find any low carb products in the local shops. I have looked everywhere with no luck. If anyone finds anything, please let us all know!

Thanks

[tamarian]

Welcome aboard Shal,

We collects information on where to find products locally. Check the Shopping menu above, and then click on the province menu. If you find any products at stores not listed, just let us know, you can fill a form in the shopping section, and the stores can be added.

Hope this helps,

Wa'il

[IslandGirl]

Greetings! I'm in Victoria, but I have noticed a few things that might be of general assistance to LCers, even in Vancouver.

CarbSolutions bars are a Rexall/Sundowners (US) product, if you can find a Rexall-affiliated pharmacy (check the yellow pages?), you might be able to chase them down or ask that they bring them in.

Walmart stores (at least in Canada) each determine their own stock, and will buy Canadian for the most part (and where they can). I have "heard" recently of a house-brand(?) at Walmart coming out with an LC variation... something like AdvantEdge or AdvantageEdge product line and a "Carb Control" variation. Consider asking the Walmart pharmacist in your area (pharmacists usually control the buying of supplements and such).

GNC healthfood stores are carrying a greater and greater variety of bars and other LC supplemental products. Consider checking there, maybe phoning ahead.

Other (not chain) health food stores are expanding such things because of the growing demand (so keep "demanding", nicely of course); let them know what you want. Consider Capers in the Vancouver area, I've heard they're a very good store.

PS: I've tried all kinds of bars, about every brand there is right now. I haven't found *one* that is TRULY lowcarb (has no glycerine or maltitol or other sugar alcohol) other than home-made. Many many people are stalled by the bars. Even the Atkins Centre does NOT recommend them for Induction.

Hope this helps!

[z3m5bm]

If you have trouble finding low carb products. I can send
you a very good low Carb snack bar that is available here in the U.S. I personally eat these wonderful bars and love them I would have cheated big time when my ncravings for chocolate or candy strike every day. I am talking about the CarbSolutions bars. They come in 3 dif. flavors. PB and Jelly, PB, Hazel nut.
E-mail me if you are interested in getting these fab. bars.They are a lot better tasting than the Atkins and a lot cheaper too @ 1.79/ea.
Thanks,
Sonia

[Laurie]

You can buy several flavours of the Atkins' Advantage Bars and Protein Revolution Bars (2.5 carbs/bar) at GNC. I purchase them near me at Metrotown. I believe there are a few locations of GNC around the Lower Mainland. They are expensive (about $4.50 each regular price). I have a GNC gold card for %20 off and buy them by the box, which is a savings equivalent to 1 free bar. I am still looking for good locally available low carb candies. I used to buy the Kerr's Light brand (sweetened with Splenda) at Safeway, but they no longer carry them. It seems silly to have to order little candies like this from the States. What we need is a local store that specializes in all things low carb!

[judie6227]

Hi everyone, this is my first time here. This place is very confusing but I'll get the hang of it eventually. I buy low carb bars at my local health food store called Nutrition Center in guildford mall in Surrey. GNC stores should carry them as they are getting very popular now and there are more kinds out there. when I started a year ago, you could only get atkins. I also found low carb chocolate bars at Shoppers Drug Mart in Cloverdale. They are very delicious but not very big.

Judie

[tamarian]

Hi Judie,

You made it! Welcome aboard! I'm assuming it's you who joined our low-carb dinner last night at Stepho's?

Wa'il