How To Choose The Best Protein Bar For You
Best Protein bars for weight loss, low carb, and no Carb keto-friendly protein bars. Protein is a primary macronutrient of our daily diet intake. It helps build muscle tone, repair muscle tissues, increase metabolism, boost energy levels, helps with weight loss and reduce blood pressure as well.
On average, a sedentary body needs about 46-56g of protein per day, based on body weight. Athletes and people involved in intensive workouts require twice as much protein. Protein sources don’t just rely on animals; there are soy proteins, proteins from nuts and whey, etc as well. Plant-based proteins are vegan-friendly and excellent for weight loss.
However, in 2019 the fast-paced world, it has become exceedingly difficult to keep an eye on our daily dietary intake and prepare meals accordingly. We are always on the lookout for quick meal plans and on-the-go snacks that are healthy and loaded with natural ingredients hence the products like protein bars, meal replacement bars, energy bars, nutrition bars have evolved greatly over the past decade.
Lose 30 Lbs Doing What
Why Are Protein-bars The Best snack?
Why are protein bars a good snack
Protein bars as the name implies are high in protein, healthy snack bars which can be used as a convenient, guilt-free, delicious snack during the day. Most premier protein bars contain 20 grams of protein, 40 grams of fibrous carbohydrates and 10 grams of fat in their ingredient list.
These dainty bars come in savory flavors like chocolate, fudge brownies, lemon meringue, and peanut butter. The low sugar content means you can quickly refuel your body without getting a sugar rush while high protein and fiber content works as a great appetite suppressant. 25 grams of fiber is recommended for adults.
A protein bar to be taken before a workout can provide the active energy you need for that intensive workout while a bar post-workout will help in generating new muscle tissue and repair muscle tears caused by the workout. They also serve as a convenient snack between meals which prevents overheating while keeping the blood sugar and cholesterol levels at par. With an adequate intake of fruits, vegetables, and dairy intake a protein bar can help essentially to keep up with the daily dietary requirement. High fiber content means a protein bar can keep you full for longer hence it can be used as a quick snack or meal option on your weight loss plan.
Protein helps in increasing metabolism in your body by preserving lean muscle. The human body requires more energy to digest protein than it does to digest carbohydrates and other food materials. This increases the burning of calories in the body as energy is being consumed. Proteins also boost muscle strength in both body and heart muscles.
High protein snacks having less than 200 calories are recommended as post-workout snacks. Protein bars work fine as this snack. Most protein bars contain around 190 calories to 230 calories per serving.
Protein takes a longer time for digestion; which helps protein bars to provide a continuous flow of energy over a longer period of time than other foods. It’s an excellent snack for weight loss. If you want, you can opt for gluten-free protein bars from Fiber One.
How To Choose The Best Protein Bar For You?
how to chose a protein bar
Protein bars should be chosen according to the consumer’s needs. Some athletes prefer Energy bars that are high in carbohydrates. There are Meal replacement bars that can be consumed in the replacement of major meals.
Protein bars obviously contain more protein than Energy bars and Meal replacement bars. Energy bars contain more carbs than protein bars, on the other hand, protein bars offer fewer vitamins and dietary nutrients than Meal replacement bars.
Bars are usually a good option when one does not have the time to prepare meals and they keep people full. Protein bars were marketed targeting the athletes mostly. Although these bars are consumed by everyone, there are varieties that influence the human body in different ways.
The main and most consumed sources of protein include lean meat, egg albumen protein, casein, chicken breasts, etc. There are vegan sources of protein as well including almonds, oats, beans and legumes, soy and broccoli.
When it comes to choosing a protein bar, look for the following:
Low Carbohydrates
20 gm/bars is enough for a healthy adult. Low carb bars are preferable. Net carb intake influences the weight loss process and the human body greatly. Although general foods all contain carbs, you can regulate your carb intake while eating protein bars.
High Fiber
Fibers will make the consumers feel full and well eaten. Protein bars with a high amount of fibers are more apt for consumption. A standard protein bar should 3 gm or more per bars.
Rich Oils
Palm oil and Kernel oil must be avoided as they cause health hazards. Many industries use palm oil to give chocolate coating its shiny surface, which is why it is suggested to avoid chocolate-coated bars.
Good Fats
The fat amount must be < 3gm/bars. No Trans fat should be present. Healthy fats might be present for retaining body energy.
Low Sugar
The recommended amount of sugar per protein bars is about 6-8 grams. Industrially manufactured Protein bars generally contain a high level of sugar; however, the brands mentioned promise limited sugar intake and a healthy nutrient plan. They taste good as well.
Most protein bars contain high levels of sugar. Some people call it ‘Candy Bars in Disguise’. Choose low sugar protein bars that have lower sugar levels and avoid alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol as well. They cause bloating. Sugar-free protein bars are also available in the market.
Pure Protein
Animals proteins are effective but proteins extracted from plants, vegetables, and other sources are healthier. Bars that have nuts and oats taste really good and provide the necessary amount of protein as well. A lot of companies manufacture bars with whey and pea proteins, those are the best.
Pure protein bars weigh a total of 50 grams in their serving size. The amount of sugar per bar is about 8gram; Sugars-2.0grams and Sugar Alcohol-6.0 grams. The sugar intake per bar differs with varieties as well. For example, Pure Protein’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bar contains only 3 grams of sugar in total.
A chocolate peanut butter pure protein bar contains about 16 grams of carbohydrate in total. This aligns with the recommended amount. Pure protein bars are mostly manufactured with Whey protein and contain peanuts, which contributes to the organic carbohydrate and sugar intake.
Recommended Protein Bars
Clif bars
Each bar (chocolate chip Clif Bar) contains 21gms of sugar. The main nutrient of Clif bars is carbohydrates. The company manufactures bars that fuel body energy.
The company mentions that these bars are usually meant for endurance athletes as the protein bars contain high levels of sugar.
One chocolate chip Clif bar contains 40 grams of carbohydrate. The manufacturer of Clif bar offers these bars as energy providers, so the high level of carbohydrate is justified. Although, protein bars should not have more than 20 grams of carbohydrate per serving.
Fiber One
Fiber One bars contain 5grams of sugar per serving. The serving size is 23 grams (varies with flavor). They use organic Sugarcane Fiber which also acts as dietary fiber (9grams total). Fiber one can act as a Meal replacement, the bars promise to satisfy consumer’s craving along with offering them a healthy substitute.
Fiber One chocolate caramel and pretzel protein bar contain 17 grams of carbohydrate. One bar weighs 23 grams. The bar contains Chicory root extract along with rice flour, Dutch cocoa, and other rich nutrients. Not only fueling the body before or after sports, Fiber one bars are designed to benefit the health of consumers in the long term as well.
Gatorade Protein Bars
Gatorade is one of the most popular consumer products among athletes. One Gatorade Whey Protein Recover Bar weighs 80 grams and contains a total of 29 grams of Sugar including Sugar alcohol. The serving size of Gatorade protein bars varies with flavors. Their nutrient offerings and ingredients also vary with flavors.
One 80 gram Gatorade Whey Protein Recover Bar contains 41 grams; 15% carbohydrate. These bars are scientifically developed for athletes; protein and carbohydrate included in the bars rebuild and refuel the human body after workout or sports.
Best Tasting Protein Bars
All the brands come in a variety of flavors and sizes. Gatorade protein bars come in 7 different flavors; chocolate chips, vanilla-almond, chocolate pretzel, cookies and cream, mint chocolate Crunch, chocolate caramel and peanut butter chocolate.
Pure protein bars have the flavors of Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Salted Caramel, Chewy Chocolate Chip, S’Mores, Peanut Butter Caramel Surprise, Dark Chocolate Coconut, Chocolate Deluxe, etc.
Clif Bars come in a very wide range of flavors. This includes Coconut Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch, Peanut-Butter Banana with Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Almond Fudge, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Toffee Buzz and many more.
Fiber One has the best options when it comes to flavors and taste. Oats & Chocolate Mini Bars, Oats & Chocolate, Oats & Peanut Butter, 90 Calorie Chocolate, 90 Calorie Chocolate Caramel & Pretzel, 90 Calorie Chocolate Peanut Butter, Sweet & Salty Roasted Nut, Protein Nut Chocolate Pretzel Nut are the most popular flavors. Fiber one bars contains Chicory Root Extract which gives these bars a unique flavor and all the health benefits of chicory root.
Source usa.inquirer.net
