Are Protein Bars Good?
First things first, if you’re counting calories and reducing your calorie intake because of a fat loss diet, then you’re not better off eating a protein bar. Why’s that you say? Well, a protein bar approximately has 400 calories. Which means that if you’re supposed to follow a strict diet of let’s say 1200 calories a day, you’ve already lost 1/3 of that allowance on one protein bar. Read this article to find out more about proteins bars and its benefits for women. Especially women over 50.
Calories
You can get the same amount of calories from a more filling source like a meal with fish, half a cup of rice, and steamed vegetables.
But if you’re upping your calorie intake for getting a lean body and building muscle mass, then protein bars is the answer to your problems. It’s hard to increase calories without winding up overeating, but protein bars can helpyou get more calories for a smaller snack.
Carbohydrates
Check the carbohydrate contents of your protein bar, as they can give a more than recommended amount if you’re losing weight. If that’s the case, then you can’t really afford the excess carbs.
Once again, if you’re working out, then protein bars can give you the much needed carbs after a workout. Since the purpose of working out is to increase your carb intake, protein bars can help you out to achieve that goal. Just watch out that you’re getting the least amounts of fats from your protein bar, as you don’t need this in building up your body.
Sugar Alcohols
This comes after checking for carbohydrates. While most people will not have any problem with the presence of sugar alcohols, it can pose major problems for some.
Sugar alcohols can trigger bloating, diarrhea, cramps, and gassiness. The bad news is you have to try if you’re going to get these symptoms first before you know for sure how sugar alcohols affect you.
If you don’t have these reactions to sugar alcohols, then you’re in luck as they are good with reducing fats.
Ingredients
Check if your protein bar lists high-fructose corn syrup. This source of carbohydrates should be avoided, but it’s alright if it appears much lower on the ingredient list. But if you see that HFCS is the top ingredient or near the top, then you should put that protein bar back on the shelf and look for a better one.
Fats
Here’s a tip when checking the fat content on your protein bar: the less saturated and trans fats, the better. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t need fats at all. There are good dietary fats too, and getting a healthy amount of this is good if your protein bar has them. Fats also slow down carbohydrates when they get released into your blood stream, so it’s a great balance.
Protein
And lastly, be sure that our protein bars have… well, protein. Make sure that the protein to carbohydrate ratio is at least 1:1 or better yet, 2:1. Don’t let your protein bar have more carbohydrates than protein or else you’re better off buying a cereal bar.