Right, this is going to be a long one, sorry in advance. So I've been trying to sort out my afternoon crashes, which have got genuinely embarrassing. I'm talking 3pm and I am staring at my screen like it's written in a foreign language, reaching for whatever is in the cupboard, which is usually something biscuity and then I feel worse twenty minutes later and the whole thing starts again. I know, I know. I've been reading a lot about protein, specifically eating more of it earlier in the day, and I've been trying it for about three weeks now. Eggs in the morning, or Greek yoghurt if I can't face cooking, and I'm trying to build dinners around something with actual substance rather than just pasta because it's easy and the family will eat it without complaining. The pasta is not going anywhere entirely, I want to be clear, I'm just trying to add things rather than take them away because every time I take things away I last about four days and then eat an entire packet of digestives in protest. Anyway. The crashes do feel a bit less savage, I think? Hard to tell because everything is hard to tell at the moment. But I'm logging it. What I actually came here to ask about is protein bars specifically, because I want something I can keep in my bag for the 3pm moment that isn't a biscuit but also isn't whatever those chalky things are that taste like someone described chocolate to a robot. I've tried a few from the supermarket and they range from 'fine' to 'I would rather just be hungry'. I've seen a few brands mentioned on Instagram but honestly I can't tell what's a genuine recommendation and what's a paid post anymore, it all blurs together. UK options preferred because I want to be able to grab them without paying eight pounds for shipping. I'm also not fussed about them being low calorie or diet anything, I just want something that actually keeps me going until dinner and doesn't make me feel grim. Bonus question: has anyone found a way to do meal prep that doesn't take over the entire Sunday? I keep seeing these elaborate systems and I just want to cook three dinners worth of something without it becoming a whole personality. Any boring practical ideas very welcome x