Protein Bars
Energy bars were created to fuel endurance athletes but they have morphed into a confusing array of varieties: protein bars, cereal bars, snack bars, nutrition for women bars, low fat bars, low carb bars, and low in carb bars. Companies that market these bars promise world class energy, complete nutition, more muscle, and weight loss or maintenance. Some bars are marketed as meal replacements and some as snacks. According to Consumer Reports, Americans spend more than 1.4 BILLION a year on such bars.
LOOK AT THE INGREDIENTS (I can't say this enough and I can't remind you often enough)
Not all bars live up to their "good for you" image portrayed by their ads. Labels can sometimes be a poor guide to what these bars really contain.
Some bars derive most of their calories from the same nutrient, although they are marketed differently. For example, the Power Bar Performance marketed as an energy bar, derives almost 80% of it's calories from carbohydrates. The Balance Bar, also marketed as an energy bar, provides a 40-30-30 ratio of carbohydrate-protein-fat popularized by the Zone Diet. These bars are very different when it comes to their energy source, yet many people use them interchangeably.
Cereal Bars like Quaker Low Fat Chewy Granola or Kellog's Nutrigrain Cereal Bars are marketed as cereal bars. Yet both have very little of the fiber (only 1 gram per serving) or protein found ina bowl of high-fiber cereal and milk. (our coconut bar has 7 grams of fiber)
Bars like Carb Solutions and Met-Rx are marketed as high protein bars, but they contain fully saturated fats like palm-kernal oil. The Met-Rx Plus Bar contains 6 grams of saturated fat, more than than the 5 grams found in a pack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. (that does not mean that you should have the Reese's instead) Some of the high protein low carb bars also contain partially hydrogenated oil, which indicates the possible presence of trans fats.
Some bars are full of high fructose corn syrup. Many can have as much as 7 teaspoons of sugar. That is half the amount of sugar found in a can of soda ( 12 teaspoons of sugar) and more than 6 1/2 teaspoons if sugar found on ia pack of Peanu M & M's. (no you can't have them either)
Sometimes the only difference between a candy bar and an energy bar is the vitamin and mineral fortification. Most bar fortification will exceed 100% of the Daily Value for any vitamin and mineral. Check labels and remember that you are getting vitamins and minerals already from from your daily vitamin and mineral supplements.
Most bars don't contain "extras" such as caffeine, ginseng, or guarana which are stimulants; but some bars may. Make sure you scrutinize labels to avoid bars with unecessary or questionable additives.
It is difficult to find bars that contain mainly natural products since additives extend the shelf-life of the product. Look for bars that are low in saturated fat and sugars. If you go to our website http://www.myhealthmanagement.com/ you will find that our bars are about as healthy as it gets regardless if you are trying to lose weight, build muscle or just trying to live a longer and healthier life. Oh yea, also if you want a sexy body. LOL
Gene C.
www.healthmanagement .com
LOOK AT THE INGREDIENTS (I can't say this enough and I can't remind you often enough)
Not all bars live up to their "good for you" image portrayed by their ads. Labels can sometimes be a poor guide to what these bars really contain.
Some bars derive most of their calories from the same nutrient, although they are marketed differently. For example, the Power Bar Performance marketed as an energy bar, derives almost 80% of it's calories from carbohydrates. The Balance Bar, also marketed as an energy bar, provides a 40-30-30 ratio of carbohydrate-protein-fat popularized by the Zone Diet. These bars are very different when it comes to their energy source, yet many people use them interchangeably.
Cereal Bars like Quaker Low Fat Chewy Granola or Kellog's Nutrigrain Cereal Bars are marketed as cereal bars. Yet both have very little of the fiber (only 1 gram per serving) or protein found ina bowl of high-fiber cereal and milk. (our coconut bar has 7 grams of fiber)
Bars like Carb Solutions and Met-Rx are marketed as high protein bars, but they contain fully saturated fats like palm-kernal oil. The Met-Rx Plus Bar contains 6 grams of saturated fat, more than than the 5 grams found in a pack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. (that does not mean that you should have the Reese's instead) Some of the high protein low carb bars also contain partially hydrogenated oil, which indicates the possible presence of trans fats.
Some bars are full of high fructose corn syrup. Many can have as much as 7 teaspoons of sugar. That is half the amount of sugar found in a can of soda ( 12 teaspoons of sugar) and more than 6 1/2 teaspoons if sugar found on ia pack of Peanu M & M's. (no you can't have them either)
Sometimes the only difference between a candy bar and an energy bar is the vitamin and mineral fortification. Most bar fortification will exceed 100% of the Daily Value for any vitamin and mineral. Check labels and remember that you are getting vitamins and minerals already from from your daily vitamin and mineral supplements.
Most bars don't contain "extras" such as caffeine, ginseng, or guarana which are stimulants; but some bars may. Make sure you scrutinize labels to avoid bars with unecessary or questionable additives.
It is difficult to find bars that contain mainly natural products since additives extend the shelf-life of the product. Look for bars that are low in saturated fat and sugars. If you go to our website http://www.myhealthmanagement.com/ you will find that our bars are about as healthy as it gets regardless if you are trying to lose weight, build muscle or just trying to live a longer and healthier life. Oh yea, also if you want a sexy body. LOL
Gene C.
www.healthmanagement .com
posted by Gene Carbonell at
4:43 PM
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