Eating Energy Bars For Exercise Fuel
Most bars claim to provide "energy" to fuel physical activity. "Energy" is just really a fancy word for the calories derived from protein, carbohydrates and fats. Most of us do not exercise intensely enough to need more protein, carbohydrates or fat than we can obtain from our diets.
Carbohydrates are recommended pre-exercise for sustained energy and a combination of carbohydrate and protein to replenish depleted muscle energy stores post-exercise. However, for someone trying to avoid weight gain, an energy bar is not the best way to fuel a 30-60 minute workout. An energy bar before or after an exercise session, won't do anything real food won't do. And real food is apt to be more satisfying.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
For the 240 calories (which is quite high in comparison to our bars) in some energy bars, you can eat an apple and half a turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato and light mayo.
Bars are good to have when "on the run" (aren't we always?) so meals are not missed. Eating a bar that does not pack a lot of calories (ours are 150-170) is a convenient way to keep from getting too hungry and eating too fast or too much later. In consuming a bar to "hold over" until the next meal and keep from getting too hungry, look for a bar with 150-200 calories. It is O.K. to choose a bar that is not extremely high in protein. (10-15 grams is fine) Make sure your next meal will be mainly protein foods. Keep in mind that 1/4-1/2 bar may just do the trick. Save the rest for another time. The idea is to keep from getting too hungry until the next meal, but not make yourself too full for the meal.
It's a good idea to always have a bar in your purse or briefcase (computer bag) , just in case you find yourself in a situation where you might be late for your meal or might miss it. A bar is also a good idea when traveling-airplane food or snacks are not always diet friendly.
In closing I leave you with this thought: If you have a craving for something sweet, our protein bars have a nutritional edge over candy, since they are much lower in fat and sugars than candy bars. And our bars are less likely to cause a quick sugar surge followed by a sharp drop in blood sugar, which causes hunger.
Gene C.
Carbohydrates are recommended pre-exercise for sustained energy and a combination of carbohydrate and protein to replenish depleted muscle energy stores post-exercise. However, for someone trying to avoid weight gain, an energy bar is not the best way to fuel a 30-60 minute workout. An energy bar before or after an exercise session, won't do anything real food won't do. And real food is apt to be more satisfying.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
For the 240 calories (which is quite high in comparison to our bars) in some energy bars, you can eat an apple and half a turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato and light mayo.
Bars are good to have when "on the run" (aren't we always?) so meals are not missed. Eating a bar that does not pack a lot of calories (ours are 150-170) is a convenient way to keep from getting too hungry and eating too fast or too much later. In consuming a bar to "hold over" until the next meal and keep from getting too hungry, look for a bar with 150-200 calories. It is O.K. to choose a bar that is not extremely high in protein. (10-15 grams is fine) Make sure your next meal will be mainly protein foods. Keep in mind that 1/4-1/2 bar may just do the trick. Save the rest for another time. The idea is to keep from getting too hungry until the next meal, but not make yourself too full for the meal.
It's a good idea to always have a bar in your purse or briefcase (computer bag) , just in case you find yourself in a situation where you might be late for your meal or might miss it. A bar is also a good idea when traveling-airplane food or snacks are not always diet friendly.
In closing I leave you with this thought: If you have a craving for something sweet, our protein bars have a nutritional edge over candy, since they are much lower in fat and sugars than candy bars. And our bars are less likely to cause a quick sugar surge followed by a sharp drop in blood sugar, which causes hunger.
Gene C.
posted by Gene Carbonell at
9:34 AM
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