How To Choose The Right ‘Protein Bar’ for Strength, Weigh-tloss and Health

In today’s grab-and-go society, protein bars have become increasingly popular as a quick and convenient dietary option. Everywhere you look, there seems to be a new protein bar on the shelf claiming to “be the best”. But what makes one protein bar better than another? More importantly, what are or aren’t you getting from your current bar that may change how you view protein bars forever?

The cold hard truth – Most protein bars are merely candy bars in disguise. Marketed with misleading nutritional claims, these bars are made from low quality ingredients and, frankly, taste like a mouthful of chalk. Instead of being driven by health and quality, the entire protein bar industry has become focused on marketing gimmicks to make you think the product is healthy, when in actuality it’s often not.

Just think about it – many of the most popular protein bars on the market today have decadent names like S’mores, Chocolate Brownie or Cookies & Cream. While there’s nothing wrong with using these names, the issue lies with how these bars are synthetically altered in order to achieve alluring marketing claims like “low fat”, “low net carbs” or “sugar free”.

Now let’s pause here for a moment. If the “real version” of these treats are not low in fat, net carbs or sugar, why do we assume they should be just because we call it a protein bar? More importantly, what types of artificial ingredients are used to make a Chocolate Brownie or Cookies & Cream flavored bar low in sugar and “net carbs”?

The answer can be found by simply reading the ingredient label on the back. Chances are you will find a long list of unfamiliar words that are closer to a foreign language than real, recognizable food. Do things REALLY have to be this way? Do we have to sacrifice quality nutrition for convenience? Why can’t we have both?

In reality if you do choose a protein bar it need to do two simple things:

Provide the convenience of a protein bar, but also have the nutritional value of a healthy meal or snack.

How To Choose:

1. Make sure your bar  provides you with an optimal blend of healthy fats, quality carbs, and premium proteins.

2. Look for: a natural (ideal) 15 grams of protein, this Gluten-Free (if you need) with all natural ingredients like  a balanced combination of mixed nuts, dried fruit, oats, blended proteins, and only honey and molasses, or stevia and cinnamon for sweaters.

3.  Look for a bar that  doesn’t contain added preservatives, IDEALLY  it needs to be stored in a refrigerator or freezer – where REAL food belongs.  After all, if something can sit on a shelf for years and still be edible, doesn’t that tell you everything you need to know about the quality of its ingredients?

 

At EAT UP 🙂