Protein bars are a big staple in my nutrition plan. Having three kids and a full-time job I just don't have the time to cook each and every meal and snack. Plus when I'm on the go I need something that I can throw in my bag and have it availa...
Protein bars are a big staple in my nutrition plan. Having three kids and a full-time job I just don't have the time to cook each and every meal and snack. Plus when I'm on the go I need something that I can throw in my bag and have it available when I need it. Protein bars are my choice for healthy snack on the go.
Not All Protein Bars Are Created Equal
Pre-packaged protein bars are definitely not created equal. Some are very high in fat and sugars. Some have tons of protein while others have under 10g. Below are a few facts to consider when wondering How To choose a protein bar.
Calories
Some protein bars have under 200 calories whereas others can be over 400. Determine your goals and how many calories you have to allot to this snack. Just because it is called a "Protein Bar" doesn't mean it is always healthy and you can chow them down without paying attention to what you are putting in your body.
Carbohydrates
Most protein bars will contain some sort of artificial or natural sweeteners. It is imperative if you are watching your carbs and sugar intake that you read the labels carefully. Some protein bars can contain over 20g of sugar, while others like the Optimal Protein Diet Bar contain only a single gram.
Total Fat
Be wary of bars that consider themselves protein bars. Some are actually meal replacement bars and can even contain over 15g of fat and 400 calories! This means your choice for a healthy snack actually will have more fat and calories than a candy bar. Sure you will be getting an added dose of protein, but you can't deny the fact that you are pounding a needless amount of fat and calories. Don't let the wrappers fool you and look at the calories and fat content - not just how many grams of protein. There is a time and place for these bars, just be sure when you are eating one, you know the nutrition information.
Final Thoughts
What it comes down to is not simply snatching any protein bar off the shelf. You need to read labels, watch reviews and pick the bar that works for your goals. Click here to view our protein bar reviews.
