Protein Bars

mwray06
mwray06 Posts: 10 Member
edited September 29 in Health and Weight Loss
I have a few questions on protein bars..First are these a good snack? I randomly will eat a clif bar post workout or what not but I am not sure if these are really a good idea or if it is contributing to weight gain. Any insight of better protein bars or information regarding them would be greatly appreciaed!

Replies

  • j_g4ever
    j_g4ever Posts: 1,925 Member
    bump
  • forthespace
    forthespace Posts: 15
    It all depends on the nutritional content of these bars. I would definitely encourage you to up the intake of protein- especially if you are working out! However, many protein bars can be high calorie or high fat. Make sure you have a look at the different options of bars to see which is the most suited to your diet.

    What I find is that there are many whey protein powders out there that are low cal and very low fat, which are nice to mix with skim milk or water (if you're hardcore, lol) for after a work out. These taste good and are also filling and easy to eat on-the-go!
    Hope this helps
  • Drunkadelic
    Drunkadelic Posts: 948 Member
    I normally eat a Luna bar as a snack during the day (I just had one actually and it was yummy!) Only about 170 calories and they have a lot of nutrients and protein to keep you full. Oh btw, Luna bars are the "female" version of cliff bars and they also come in mini and protein bars (which I also really like because of the upped protein!)
  • FieryNikkie
    FieryNikkie Posts: 61 Member
    I spent way too much time at Target yesterday reading labels and wondering the same thing. I ended up choosing the Luna bar because it had fewer calories (190) than most of the bars. It had a good amount of protein (9g) and the sugar was the lowest I could find (11g). The sugar seems to be the main culprit in a lot of these bars, some of them having 20+ grams!
  • casirdms
    casirdms Posts: 145 Member
    The Luna bars are pretty tasty too! I love the white chocolate macadamia
  • stormieweather
    stormieweather Posts: 2,549 Member
    I won't eat anything artificial and some of those protein bars have mile-long ingredient lists full of things I can't pronounce. My dietician recommended Think Thin bars, and I've come to LOVE them. I also make my own, but they seem to be higher in calories and rather sticky (so not good for traveling).

    <3 Think Thin!!
  • golferd
    golferd Posts: 400 Member
    For the pocket book I would recommend you take an extra scoop of a protein shake instead. Shakes your looking from 50c to 1.25 depending on brand. Vs bars that are costing at times upto $3+ each.

    Also, HFC is placed in a lot of bars. Elite 6 layer protein bars have pretty good taste but are expensive. currently on sale 12 bars for 30. However, spending 78 dollars on bars each month gets expensive.
  • jdavis193
    jdavis193 Posts: 972 Member
    I won't eat anything artificial and some of those protein bars have mile-long ingredient lists full of things I can't pronounce. My dietician recommended Think Thin bars, and I've come to LOVE them. I also make my own, but they seem to be higher in calories and rather sticky (so not good for traveling).

    <3 Think Thin!!

    Where do you find these think thin bars?
  • stormieweather
    stormieweather Posts: 2,549 Member
    I won't eat anything artificial and some of those protein bars have mile-long ingredient lists full of things I can't pronounce. My dietician recommended Think Thin bars, and I've come to LOVE them. I also make my own, but they seem to be higher in calories and rather sticky (so not good for traveling).

    <3 Think Thin!!

    Where do you find these think thin bars?

    I buy mine at Publix - http://www.thinkproducts.com/2011/store/store-locator
  • slkendrick
    slkendrick Posts: 1
    I too really like the think thin bars...although I save them for when I have a really hard workout/calorie burn. They have 190-240 cals...but they also have 20 grams of protein and 0 sugars!! They are on sale at Harris Teeter alot (3/$5)...so i load up on them then!! That...and they are REALLY tasty!!
  • lesliemk
    lesliemk Posts: 382 Member
    I like Clif Builder's Bars. I eat them for addt'l protein though. That's really my sole reason for eating those bars, b/c I weight train. I don't worry about the calories too much, since I'm usually trying to get to 2000+ calories a day.
  • RangerSteve
    RangerSteve Posts: 437
    The Luna bars are pretty tasty too! I love the white chocolate macadamia

    I feel guilty for agreeing with you. It says "nutritional bar for women" but I munch these things down like crazy, especially the white chocolate macadamia. Don't tell anyone!
  • graysmom2005
    graysmom2005 Posts: 1,882 Member
    I spent way too much time at Target yesterday reading labels and wondering the same thing. I ended up choosing the Luna bar because it had fewer calories (190) than most of the bars. It had a good amount of protein (9g) and the sugar was the lowest I could find (11g). The sugar seems to be the main culprit in a lot of these bars, some of them having 20+ grams!
    the Adkins and Pure Protein bars usually only have 1-2 grams of sugar. :-)
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
    I don't really consider Clif bars protein bars. They are more like energy bars. They are mostly carbs. I eat them before my workout typically.

    If you need extra protein and can't get it naturally, I'd also go with protein powder.
  • graysmom2005
    graysmom2005 Posts: 1,882 Member
    I too really like the think thin bars...although I save them for when I have a really hard workout/calorie burn. They have 190-240 cals...but they also have 20 grams of protein and 0 sugars!! They are on sale at Harris Teeter alot (3/$5)...so i load up on them then!! That...and they are REALLY tasty!!
    Yes they are! Love these!
  • scubacat
    scubacat Posts: 346 Member
    [/quote]

    I feel guilty for agreeing with you. It says "nutritional bar for women" but I munch these things down like crazy, especially the white chocolate macadamia. Don't tell anyone!
    [/quote]

    My husband does too! Don't feel bad, you are not alone :)
  • graysmom2005
    graysmom2005 Posts: 1,882 Member
    I won't eat anything artificial and some of those protein bars have mile-long ingredient lists full of things I can't pronounce. My dietician recommended Think Thin bars, and I've come to LOVE them. I also make my own, but they seem to be higher in calories and rather sticky (so not good for traveling).

    <3 Think Thin!!

    Where do you find these think thin bars?

    I buy mine at Publix - http://www.thinkproducts.com/2011/store/store-locator
    Trader Joes!
  • Thriceshy
    Thriceshy Posts: 708 Member
    I have a few questions on protein bars..First are these a good snack? I randomly will eat a clif bar post workout or what not but I am not sure if these are really a good idea or if it is contributing to weight gain. Any insight of better protein bars or information regarding them would be greatly appreciaed!

    I eat a Bulder's Bar every day, sometimes I have two (oops). The nutrients are great (though there is the saturated fat to watch out for), the protein high, but the big things for me are 1) they're very big, so they satisfy for a long time, 2) they're low glycemic, so they don't spike my blood sugar, and 3) they satisfy all candy/cookie cravings, so I don't wind up wanting those oreos or butterfingers. I haven't craved a candy bar or cookies for months--not since I started eating my Builder's Bars.

    Here's the nutrition label: http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_builders/1230

    Same folks who make Luna, btw.

    Kris
  • jdavis193
    jdavis193 Posts: 972 Member
    I have a few questions on protein bars..First are these a good snack? I randomly will eat a clif bar post workout or what not but I am not sure if these are really a good idea or if it is contributing to weight gain. Any insight of better protein bars or information regarding them would be greatly appreciaed!

    I eat a Bulder's Bar every day, sometimes I have two (oops). The nutrients are great (though there is the saturated fat to watch out for), the protein high, but the big things for me are 1) they're very big, so they satisfy for a long time, 2) they're low glycemic, so they don't spike my blood sugar, and 3) they satisfy all candy/cookie cravings, so I don't wind up wanting those oreos or butterfingers. I haven't craved a candy bar or cookies for months--not since I started eating my Builder's Bars.

    Here's the nutrition label: http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_builders/1230

    Same folks who make Luna, btw.

    Kris

    Where do you get these?
  • cheftrish
    cheftrish Posts: 9
    I did a little research some time ago, and I actually found that Special K protein meal bars are lover in calories (170) and higher in protein for the size (10g) they are smaller than most protein bars. They also have snack size. It does have a list of ingredients, but convenient if you dont have time to make your own. You can get them at almost all grocery stores. I have mine with coffee in the morning since Im never that hungry.
  • Dizzle_65
    Dizzle_65 Posts: 249 Member
    I use Maximuscle diet bars which are very good.

    Someone on a UK forum I go on makes their own, here's the copy and paste :bigsmile: :



    Nuke 2 cubes (approx 40g) of Tesco organic, dark 70% cocoa cooking chocolate for appox 1 min in a largish pyrex bowl. Add 1 cup of organic peanut butter and 8 tablespoons of organic honey. Nuke for another 90 secs. Then mix thoroughly and add 3/4 cup of unflavoured whey powder, 1/4 cup of chocolate milk protein powder. Make sure this is mixed in then add 3/4 cup of oats, 1/4 cup of flax seeds and 1 handfull of goji berries (chopped to smallish size). Make sure this is well mixed in then spread onto baking dish approx 8" x 4" x 1" deep. Spread more flax seeds on top and press down. Stick in fridge for 20 mins. Then divide into 12 equal bars and wrap in foil. Keep refridgerated. Eh Voila!

    I've started using Whole Earth Organic Peanut Butter with chocolate chips (Morrison's do it) which makes for an even better taste. I ran out of flax seeds a while back and so started adding other goodies - chopped halzelnuts, almonds, raisins, dried blueberries. You have to get a balance tho as the more stuff you add the more honey you need to bind the bars with, which adds to the amount of carbs in the bar. It normally works out to almost half a cup of nuts and berries. Enjoy
  • Thriceshy
    Thriceshy Posts: 708 Member
    I have a few questions on protein bars..First are these a good snack? I randomly will eat a clif bar post workout or what not but I am not sure if these are really a good idea or if it is contributing to weight gain. Any insight of better protein bars or information regarding them would be greatly appreciaed!

    I eat a Bulder's Bar every day, sometimes I have two (oops). The nutrients are great (though there is the saturated fat to watch out for), the protein high, but the big things for me are 1) they're very big, so they satisfy for a long time, 2) they're low glycemic, so they don't spike my blood sugar, and 3) they satisfy all candy/cookie cravings, so I don't wind up wanting those oreos or butterfingers. I haven't craved a candy bar or cookies for months--not since I started eating my Builder's Bars.

    Here's the nutrition label: http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_builders/1230

    Same folks who make Luna, btw.

    Kris

    Where do you get these?

    Walmart carries them, but I have a "subscription" through Amazon because the "subscribe and save" price is markedly lower. My husband gets the Peanut Butter flavor, I get the Chocolate Mint, though lately I've been on his Peanut Butter because I'm a bad person :wink:

    Kris
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