Bariatric Advantage Calcium Chews - DEAL ALERT!

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I'm using my phone, because it's 9:30pm and I'm noshing on caramel chews.

 Confession is good for the soul.

When I was a bariatric baby I loved my vitamin and calcium choices.  That's mostly because I took inappropriate forms.  I adored chewy, gummy, gooey, anyvitamins.  I have fond memories of my Vita-Balls Gum Balls.  (I may have since deleted THAT review from 2005, but I loved those wee gumballs.  Vitamins in GUM?  Who knew?  And, I thought they were good for me, and I never knew that "gum was a no-no" because I'm a grown up and I don't swallow it.)

It's been a long time.  I grew up a lot.  I'm a big bariatric baby now, and I take big girl vitamins and calcium.  I have to tell you though, those chewy caramel calcium bites from GNC and other big brands, are to-die-for.  Little sugar bombs of calcium yum, and I am sure that I abused the privilege of eating those thinking "it's my calcium" and not, "it's candy."  Because, the calcium in those products less than stellar for malabsorptive weight loss surgery post ops. It's calcium carbonate.  No.

Calcium is a nutrient of concern after all forms of WLS, primarily due to inadequate intake.
With RNY and DS there may also be concern of bioavailability of some forms like calcium
carbonate. Calcium carbonate combines with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form calciumchloride which is ultimately well absorbed. After RNY in particular, this is unlikely to occur. A small comparative study between the two forms was conducted in post-operative RNY patients and also concluded that calcium citrate was significantly more bioavailable in this population.  

For this reason, calcium citrate is the preferred form after WLS. In DS and RNY, calcium deficiency is also secondary to vitamin D malabsorption. Inadequate dietary intake of calcium may occur both due to decreased food volumes and avoidance of dairy products. Calcium is commonly recommended as a post-operative supplement in the range of 1000--1500 milligrams per day. Higher doses up to 2000 milligrams are sometime advised after DS. All forms of surgery have been shown to produce increased bone turnover and loss of bone mass, some of which is inevitable with massive weight loss. Markers that can be followed include serum parathormone (PTH), 25-hydroxy vitamin D, ionic calcium, serum or urinary telopeptide, and bone density. Complex cases may require co-management with an endocrinologist.

Jacques, ND, Jacqueline. Nutritional implications of weight loss surgery. Retrieved from app.barisecure.com/resources/NIWLS_NMD.doc

Never fear, because there is finally a chewy caramel option for us:  Bariatric Advantage's Calcium Citrate Chewy Bites in CARAMEL.  

I was extra excited when I heard about these, because it's the right kind of calcium, in my favorite chew flavor.

I waited and waited and waited.  And then they came!  I may have also stolen a few errant chews here and there at an event or two.  But, I won't mention that, or that I might have found some in my laundry.  Because, you would think I was a bad girl.

Calcium Citrate that tastes delicious – Wow! Many people are required to take a lot of calcium. At Bariatric Advantage, we recognize that providing different flavors and forms of this important nutrient helps assure compliance and makes taking large amounts of calcium much easier. Our Calcium Citrate Chewy Bites deliver 250 mg of elemental calcium as calcium citrate in a delicious chew. They also contain 125 IU of vitamin D3 for healthy absorption. These chews are sugar-free as well, so you don’t have to worry about getting extra carbs while you get the calcium you need. Each chew is individually wrapped so you can take them with you wherever you go.

• The caramel chews are wrapped in caramelly colored foil, so you can tell them apart from your raspberry, lemon and chocolate calcium chews. 
• Because you should have a whole bowl-ful of these chews at your desk.  Of course.  You don't?  Go do that now.
• Opening each, they smell like candy, like a Werther's Original, remember those?  *fond memory*
• The chew appears smooth and creamy, I can't see any calcium grit.
• I bite, and it's a rush of OMGIUSEDTOLOVETHISFLAVOR.  
• Caramel, sweet, chewy, creamy caramel.   
• I chew my caramel chew, longer than humanly necessary, to decide if I find any calcium texture, and I don't.
• This flavor is smoother than the previous chews, and softer.
• It reminds me vaguely of those little wrapped caramels you'd melt down for apples.  (Not that I ever just ate those straight out of the bag.)
• No.  I mean it.

 

Now I want an apple.  Dipped in my melted calcium chew.  This is going in the wrong direction.  (I can wait, I only eat fresh apples.)  But, if it's wrong?  I don't want to be right.  I AM A BAD GIRL, you know. Did you know?  Now you know.  And, now I will think about a caramel apple until September. ;)

I chewed.  Thrice.  I ate three.  You know, for the purpose of review.  I chewed and chewed, and tasted and felt...There's no chalky taste or grit left in my mouth. They are somewhat sticky, though it's hot in here.  The chews did not stick to my teeth, and that sort of thing scares me, as I need dental work. 

I have a happy mouth.

• Product - Bariatric Advantage Caramel Calcium Chews > Click to Calcium page
• Via - Bariatric Advantage sent me this bag-o-chews for review and I am noshing them for that reason.
• Price - $11.99
• Pros - CARAMELILOVEYOUWHEREHAVEYOUBEEN?  Chewy, creamy, sweet, doesn't taste like a calcium product, more please?
• Cons - I have a sticky finger or two, cause I ate three.  :x  This isn't a CON, but I like this flavor the best out of all of the varieties so far.  In second: the lemon.  I want orange next, please. Thanks.
• Rating - Super Pouchworthy, ^MM