THERESA: I know they're no calorie bargain, and they're expensive to boot, but one of my favorite snack indulgences is protein bars, especially PowerBar Protein Plus bars and other brands that pack at least 20 grams of protein. I especially like anything with some chocolate to it. Balance bars are more tasty (peanut butter is my favorite) though not quite as high in protein. I figure I can pop one of these for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack, satisfy my sweet tooth and not feel the need to snack on junkier food. What about everyone else? Do you buy snack food marketed specifically for jocks? Sports drinks? Energy gel?

ELLEN: One of the tricks of keeping weight off is to eat something in the morning (and then drink lots of water.) This gets your metabolism moving and just makes you feel better. Those energy bars, which you can buy in bulk at the discount stores, are a great way to get your system started in the morning, especially if you are like me and just can’t bear to eat breakfast. One personal trainer explained it to me this way: Your body is like a log fire. If you smother it with logs (fuel), it will go out. If you keep it stoked all day, it will burn bright. Eating a breakfast bar or energy bar, as luxurious as that may sound, could stoke the fire and perhaps even cut back on the amount of lunch you buy or pack. Starving yourself all day and then gulping down pizza or a heavy meal in the evening could be the equivalent of putting the metabolism fire out.

YVONNE: Zone Perfect are my preference because they are all natural and they taste good. When I was marathon-training I kept them in my desk, the car and my gym bag so when I needed protein I could reach for one. I have cut down a lot because, Theresa's right, a lot of calories if you're not exercising a lot. I don't do sports drinks. Just not into them but I don't judge. Energy gels only for long runs.

WENDY: I'm now totally addicted to those bars. I think they are great for just what Ellen is talking about -- something in your stomach when you are in danger of running on empty. I love the GenSoy brand too, which are cheap -- less than a buck at Target -- and Detour bars, which I swear taste just like a Snickers with more protein.

ELLEN: How many calories in Detour bars and can you get them at Target or Trader Joe’s?

THERESA: A Detour bars has 290 calories, which is more than most bars, but more protein too, 32 grams. Sounds like a terrific eating-while-driving breakfast to me! I've never tried these...Wendy, where do you buy them?

WENDY: That's Target, too (like most of the stuff around my house...)

ELLEN: Anything that taste like a Snicker’s Bar is ok by me. This gel stuff sounds nasty. Another reason to do strength training rather than long distance running. How many calories does a real Snickers have?

THERESA: Good question. Snickers bar has 280 calories (10 fewer than a Detour bar!) but only 4 grams of protein. You're right about the gel-- it is kind of nasty. But for some reason, it gives me a nice burst of energy when I have a long way to run. And the icky taste temporarily takes my mind off how tired my legs may be feeling. I don't usually drink Gatorade or other sports drinks either, except during long races when they're handing it out at water stations.

JENICE: How do you keep Gatorade down when you're running?

THERESA: I just take a baby sip at a water station and then throw most of it by the wayside. I usually opt for water during a race. When my kids did sports, they guzzled Gatorade, but I don't like the stuff much.

JENICE: Interesting. I've tried to drink it like water - with disgusting results. Thanks for the feedback.

APRIL: I absolutely love Pria bars, they have enough protein and not much fat. Most of the other sports bars are too hefty for me, high fat and carbs. I also find that Luna bars are the tastiest, but they are really glorified candy bars.