DIY P3 Snacks/Lunchables

Save money and build a perfect bariatric snack (or meal if you're newly pre-op!)

I am always, always, ALWAYS looking for ways to make this journey easier. Honestly, I get so bored of food sometimes I just don't eat because I can't figure out what to eat. Or I'm pressed for time and have to grab something on the go, and I usually end up not making the best choice (hello, heavy protein bars!). Don't get me wrong, protein bars are fine in a pinch and many surgeons and dieticians are fine with us using them. I just can never find one that sits right in my stomach and I end up feeling bloated or weighed down.

Anyway, a great choice for me has been buying premade Oscar Mayer P3 packs (P3 stands for Portable Protein Packs) or even the "fancier Lunchables" which I believe are made by Hillshire Farms but the name is escaping me right now. The problem I have at two years post-op is that sometimes, they don't contain enough protein to keep me satisfied, plus the cost can really add up when you want to keep your fridge stocked. And some of these inevitably come with dried cranberries or other high sugar options like chocolate covered peanuts or even yogurt covered raisins. Yes, I do say "everything in moderation" a lot, but I'd prefer to enjoy more than a tablespoon of dried fruit in exchange for the sugar content.

I started looking for containers to make up my own P3 packs and came across these perfect 3 Compartment Meal Prep Containers! They are just a smidge larger than a P3 pack and with three compartments, you can add meat, cheese, or other protein, plus some sliced veggies or fruit, maybe a small amount of almonds, cashews, or pistaschios. If you're okay with carbs, you can throw a few crackers in there and make it a nice rounded bariatric meal.

They run about $24 for 25 containers with lids as of this post. Plus, they are pretty heavy duty and can definitely be washed and re-used!

Some ideas for the compartments:

• Pepperoni

• Deli Lunch Meat (Ham, Turkey, Roast Beef, etc.)

• Cheese Cubes or Cut Up String Cheese

• Hard Boiled Eggs

• Baby Carrots

• Celery

• Edamame

• Nuts (Peanuts, Almonds, Pistachios, Cashews, etc.)

• Berries

• Grapes

• Mandarin Orange Slices

Really, the possibilities are endless. There's so many more foods that can be packed in these! What ideas do you have?