Atkins protein bars? good or bad (inc. link)

Maldivesbeachbodplease
Maldivesbeachbodplease Posts: 444
in Food and Nutrition
Hi all,

So i realise that I have been starting to reintroduce sugary processed food again when i really don't want to be. I have 1 stone (just over) left to lose. I like to snack on a protein bar mid morning as i feel like they fill me up til lunch. I normally have optimum nutrition whey crisp bars but prefer the taste of the atkins dark choc crunch bars. Are these ok or full of rubbish that i should avoid?

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=3264

Thanku!!!

FYI the optimum nutrition ones are lower values: http://www.onacademy.co.uk/whey-crisp-bar?gclid=CM659s2qqq8CFQITfAodD3wsYA

Replies

  • Maldivesbeachbodplease
    Maldivesbeachbodplease Posts: 444
    Bump for replies :)
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    I avoid them, mainly because I avoid ingredients like Splenda (or sucralose) or "bulking agents." The bars keep you full because they are high in protein. You can eat real food that is high in protein that will be much healthier for you (Greek yogurt, for instance). I am not one to judge if something is "good" or "bad," as we all have different limits in our diets. Me personally, I think Atkins bars and any of those bars are pretty much garbage. However, my garbage is another person's healthy snack.
  • Maldivesbeachbodplease
    Maldivesbeachbodplease Posts: 444
    I avoid them, mainly because I avoid ingredients like Splenda (or sucralose) or "bulking agents." The bars keep you full because they are high in protein. You can eat real food that is high in protein that will be much healthier for you (Greek yogurt, for instance). I am not one to judge if something is "good" or "bad," as we all have different limits in our diets. Me personally, I think Atkins bars and any of those bars are pretty much garbage. However, my garbage is another person's healthy snack.

    Wow...in all fairness looking at your stats i will agree with you - well done - fab loss!!!

    What do you tend to snack on? thank u! xxx
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    I think these things are worthless. If you're hungry, eat a meal. If you're not, don't eat. If you need something sugary and sweet, eat a treat you enjoy in moderation.

    Learning to read an ingredients list is more important than macronutrients. Look how fake that bar is (one of the ingredients is "flavourings"... mmmmm). I'd rather eat a donut made of real sugar, flour, and eggs even if it might be higher in calories.
  • 81Katz
    81Katz Posts: 7,074 Member
    I like them. They do have a lot of protein and way less sugar but yes the sugar substitute is often in the form of sucralose. I used to eat Fiber One or Kellogg's Fiber Plus bars and thought those were healthy. Not really actually.

    I agree there are better ways to get protein but when I am away from home and am not able to physically make a lunch or take a lunch with me that day, they are a quick bite and better alternative then not planning a meal or snack and you end up eating crap instead.
  • Maldivesbeachbodplease
    Maldivesbeachbodplease Posts: 444
    I think these things are worthless. If you're hungry, eat a meal. If you're not, don't eat. If you need something sugary and sweet, eat a treat you enjoy in moderation.

    Learning to read an ingredients list is more important than macronutrients. Look how fake that bar is (one of the ingredients is "flavourings"... mmmmm). I'd rather eat a donut made of real sugar, flour, and eggs even if it might be higher in calories.

    Are the optimum nutrition ones no better?
  • Maldivesbeachbodplease
    Maldivesbeachbodplease Posts: 444
    Bump for more replies :)
  • AeolianHarp
    AeolianHarp Posts: 463 Member
    If you buy a protein bar, buy Quest Bars. There's either that or you make your own at www.youbars.com. Both are quality protein bars, so either fair quite well.

    Also, don't worry about the fear mongering. The amount of splenda you would have to consume for it to be bad for your health is so large that I'd be shocked if anyone consumed that much amount of splenda.

    Let's say, for the sake of being simple, that you are afraid of some ingredients because people insist that it will rot out your insides. Youbars allows you to build your own bar with your own ingredients. You choose the sweetener, protein, nuts, fruits, etc. in it.
  • acting101girl
    acting101girl Posts: 19
    I like them! I think they make a great snack!
  • FiercelyEmma
    FiercelyEmma Posts: 2
    I love them! :)
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    I second Quest protein bars (both product lines). There simply isn't a comparable bar in terms of quality ingredients.
  • rachemn
    rachemn Posts: 407 Member
    Definitely try the quest bars. They are awesome and all natural. Even better if you heat them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds...or the dashboard of your car! Also they can be kept in the car without melting or getting all messy...and again they are SO good!
  • darkchocolate68
    darkchocolate68 Posts: 104
    I agree about eating real food, but I also like having something shelf stable in my purse and desk. I have been trying different protein bars and reading reviews on here and elsewhere.

    You will get so many different opinions due to different physical needs, taste and texture isssues.

    I do like the Quest bars but they took some getting used to. I have to have them warmed to be able to eat them, but I really do like them now.

    I prefer protein bars with low sugar and preferably very little if any sugar alcohols.

    I am waiting on my free Atkins Quick Start kit (should be here any day now) to sample some of their products. I don't follow the Atkins plan, I eat more of a South Beach type diet.

    I am sorry that I didn't answer your initial question on the Atkins bars though.
  • Hendrix7
    Hendrix7 Posts: 1,903 Member
    £2.05 per bar? Crazy!

    Save your money, make your own, its easy.
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    i like them for when i have nothing else to eat. they're must better than carby alternatives. when i eat them, i don't lose anything though.

    but if i can get some veggies and protein, i'd rather have that.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    "Soy protein, bulking agent (polydextrose), soy granules, cocoa mass, sweeteners (maltitol, sucralose), humectant (glycerol), hydrolysed collagen, palm fat, cocoa butter, tapioca starch, sunflower oil, milk protein, emulsifier (soy lecithin), milk fat, flavourings, salt." - I think it relies on maltitol and glycerol for "low carb" credentials. That style of Atkins bar is gummy, fake and tastes, well, "American".

    www.powerbody.co.uk/product-atkins-nutritionals_advantage-bars-caramel-chocolate-nut-roll-5-bars,80.html
    www.powerbody.co.uk/product-atkins-nutritionals_advantage-bars-sweet-salty-almond-crunch-5-bars,3522.html

    are a better price - imported US recipe bars - smaller too (less calories) and more natural ingredients.

    The Quest bars I tried were fairly awful, especially the apple flavour - "I never want to taste anything like that gain in my life" as my wife put it.
  • MzBug
    MzBug Posts: 2,173 Member
    I avoid them. Mostly because I have an issue with most any sweet (regular or artificial) items...I always want more. It is too easy for me to convince myself that I am eatting healthy while scarfing one, or two, or three.... I also was advised (by my doc) to avoid soy products and I get some real nasty digestive issues with concentrated whey protein. A few years ago I had to laugh, I compared a smallish protein snack bar with a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup....the Reeses had less sugar and calories and more protein!

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