Protein Bars: Good or Bad?

hthrld

Sometimes I eat protein bars as a mid-morning snack before my work out. Do they do more good than harm?

JayByrd107

What do you consider "harm" and what do you consider "good"? Or are you just throwing this out there and seeing what scare mongering bubbles up to the surface? Oh noes! Soy protein! boobies on my testicles!

Pollywog39

I have a hard time getting enough protein, cuz I'm not a big meat eater.......so I nosh on a protein bar when my intake is low. Can't see why they'd be a problem, and certainly not much different than those who drink protein powders.

What are you worried about???

GullyGirl009

I find the Nature Valley Protein bars really good. They are packed with 10g of Protein per bar. That along with water, you are full for a while. I swear by them. Make sure they say protein bars because nature valley also make granola bars. I'm sure you willl be satisfied.

ilovegreg05

I find the Nature Valley Protein bars really good. They are packed with 10g of Protein per bar. That along with water, you are full for a while. I swear by them. Make sure they say protein bars because nature valley also make granola bars. I'm sure you willl be satisfied.

The major problem with those bars are all of the fats.

Protein bars are a nice snack for added protein and if you have a sweet tooth. I suggest doing some shopping around and choose the right bar for your diet.

mariodispenza

It all depends on how your body responds. The bars tend to have sugar and other fillers, which I prefer to avoid. Even though I compete in weightlifting, I stopped using the powdered protein as well because for some reason, when I use it, my weight creeps up. I have to maintain weight to stay in my class so, the protein supplements don't work for me.

I've been sticking to "if man makes it, don't eat it" and that's been working very well. If the bars or the powder affect you negtively, try some almonds (or walnuts or cashews, etc.), skim milk, or Greek yogurt. All are great sources of protein. Those work for me; I"m 20lbs lighter and have lost no strength in my lifts.

Good luck.

JayByrd107

I find the Nature Valley Protein bars really good. They are packed with 10g of Protein per bar. That along with water, you are full for a while. I swear by them. Make sure they say protein bars because nature valley also make granola bars. I'm sure you willl be satisfied.

For the amount of calories in one of those, you can find an alternative bar with 20 grams. If a protein bar has less than that, it aint "packed".

SeaChele77

Many are full of sugars and carbs, so be weary! But if you need extra protein - its not much different than drinking your protein drink after a workout.

Protein Plus Bars - 17-20g of protein / 200 calories
Special K Protein Meal Bars - 10g protein / 170 calories
Zone Bars - 12g protein/ 180 calories
Kashi Cliff Bars - 15g protein / 190-210 calories

All 7g of fat or less. I switch them up so I don't get burned out. I usually have one the morning after a hard workout day to make sure my muscles have enough to heal (and keep me from getting sore).

Obviously you should get your protein from foods: meat/fish, cheese/yogurt, edamame, nuts, beans - but when you're low.... these can add that extra bit to the diet!!

sabinecbauer

Check the nutritional value on these things. Most of them have twice as much carbs as they've got protein, and most of those carbs are from sugar. Which just about answers the question. You'll be much better off with a good quality protein powder or chicken strips--which also works out a lot cheaper, by the way.

karylee44

i feed these to my son.. he doesn't eat much meat and can use the fat and sugar to make it through the day.. i would much rather give him "real" food.. but he wont touch it.. (he is pddnos and very odd about food).

LinzCurlyQ

Quest bars are really good. I'm just sad I cannot eat them anymore because they have almonds in them, but they taste good and have pretty healthy ingredients.

kmorris246

try making your own homemade protein bars!

1 C all natural crunchy peanut butter
3 tbsp honey
1 C oats
1.5 C whey protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
5 tbsp water

Heat peanut butter and honey in microwave for 30 secs. Stir- add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Place mixture in 9x9 baking dish and press evenly into pan. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes, then cut into 8-10 equal servings. You can also double this in a 9x13 pan.
They come out awesome!

Wynweight

I have heard that meal replacement bars are not necessarily bad for you - its for those people on the go, which most of our society is, who dont have time to make a complete nutritious meal. I use them often, but i used them as MEAL replacement, not snacks. The amount of calories in them are pretty high for a snack. So for lunch i will eat one with a fruit and vegetable and it satisfies me! But to each his/her own!

clovr24

It really depends on what you can handle before a workout. There of course are better options, but for me what works is a Clif bar (or similar) 45mins before a workout. Otherwise I get an upset stomach and it hinders my workout. Just account for what others have said about the carbs/sugars and experiment

Mrsmis78

Good. Quest bars are the best! I had a good friend introduce them to me and I LOVE THEM! They are very healthy and have a ton of fiber in them and over 20 grams of protein. Go to their website and check them out. Would recommend these over any other kind you can buy (and I have tried a TON of them!)

LinzCurlyQ

Good. Quest bars are the best! I had a good friend introduce them to me and I LOVE THEM! They are very healthy and have a ton of fiber in them and over 20 grams of protein. Go to their website and check them out. Would recommend these over any other kind you can buy (and I have tried a TON of them!)

Amen.

myfitnessnmhoy

Sometimes I eat protein bars as a mid-morning snack before my work out. Do they do more good than harm?

They are a measured, quantifiable source of various macros. Pick one that gives you what you need and use it if that's the easiest way for you to get those macros.

It's fuel, and if it's the way to get the right fuel into you, then it's a good fuel. If you're eating them without knowing whether you are already getting sufficient protein in your diet, then you may not be benefiting from them.

Alternatively, if you're using them to stave off hunger for fast food, then you're benefiting from them even if they aren't giving you precisely what you need.

ilovegreg05

It all depends on how your body responds. The bars tend to have sugar and other fillers, which I prefer to avoid. Even though I compete in weightlifting, I stopped using the powdered protein as well because for some reason, when I use it, my weight creeps up. I have to maintain weight to stay in my class so, the protein supplements don't work for me.

I've been sticking to "if man makes it, don't eat it" and that's been working very well. If the bars or the powder affect you negtively, try some almonds (or walnuts or cashews, etc.), skim milk, or Greek yogurt. All are great sources of protein. Those work for me; I"m 20lbs lighter and have lost no strength in my lifts.

Good luck.

This makes no sense. If you are getting 25g of protein from powder or 25g from greek yogurt its still only 25g and only 100kcal. If you are tracking your food you shouldn't see an increase in weight unless a different variable is affecting it. Cashews, almonds..nuts in general are NOT a good source of protein. They are considered fat, they have more fat than protein in them.

kneeki

If you look at the macros of a protein bar you'll find it fits very well as a meal replacement - not a snack. If you want a snack, have an apple or a can of tuna. If you missed lunch - have a bar.

GeneveSparkles

I eat Think Thin protein bars but only after a hard work out that includes heavy lifting or 5+ mile runs. Lots of times though I'll only eat half of a bar which helps minimimize the cals/fat/carbs etc. They are 230 cals, 0 sugar, gluten free, 25 g carbs and 8 grams of fat. I think they are pretty tasty too I get them for $15 per 10 pack box on amazon.

dare2love81

try making your own homemade protein bars!

1 C all natural crunchy peanut butter
3 tbsp honey
1 C oats
1.5 C whey protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
5 tbsp water

Heat peanut butter and honey in microwave for 30 secs. Stir- add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Place mixture in 9x9 baking dish and press evenly into pan. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes, then cut into 8-10 equal servings. You can also double this in a 9x13 pan.
They come out awesome!

These sound fantastic! Thanks for sharing! :happy:

jodycoady

try making your own homemade protein bars!

1 C all natural crunchy peanut butter
3 tbsp honey
1 C oats
1.5 C whey protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
5 tbsp water

Heat peanut butter and honey in microwave for 30 secs. Stir- add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Place mixture in 9x9 baking dish and press evenly into pan. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes, then cut into 8-10 equal servings. You can also double this in a 9x13 pan.
They come out awesome!

thank you SOOO much for posting this

jodycoady

what do you think of these bars? Luna, balance, Fiber one, Kashi, Roll!


I was wondering the same thing

kmorris246

try making your own homemade protein bars!

1 C all natural crunchy peanut butter
3 tbsp honey
1 C oats
1.5 C whey protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
5 tbsp water

Heat peanut butter and honey in microwave for 30 secs. Stir- add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Place mixture in 9x9 baking dish and press evenly into pan. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes, then cut into 8-10 equal servings. You can also double this in a 9x13 pan.
They come out awesome!

thank you SOOO much for posting this

My pleasure :-) These bars are seriously soooooo good! Cheaper than buying bars PLUS they taste better as well! I cut my bars into 8 servings and it equals about 300 cals, 23 g protein- perfect for a meal replacement!

waldo56

try making your own homemade protein bars!

1 C all natural crunchy peanut butter
3 tbsp honey
1 C oats
1.5 C whey protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
5 tbsp water

Heat peanut butter and honey in microwave for 30 secs. Stir- add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Place mixture in 9x9 baking dish and press evenly into pan. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes, then cut into 8-10 equal servings. You can also double this in a 9x13 pan.
They come out awesome!

thank you SOOO much for posting this

My pleasure :-) These bars are seriously soooooo good! Cheaper than buying bars PLUS they taste better as well! I cut my bars into 8 servings and it equals about 300 cals, 23 g protein- perfect for a meal replacement!

I make some that are pretty similar. Sub brown sugar for the honey, plain greek yogurt for the water, and add a little ground flaxseed, craisins, macadamias, and half a chopped up big special dark bar. I roughly double your recipe. I use a 9x9 pan. Mine come out about 390 calories and 24g protein each (9 servings per batch). They are breakfast for me, they keep well in the fridge (up to 2 weeks). I can grab one as I run out the door to work and eat in the car. And they are absolute gut bombs, they will keep hunger away for many hours. Enough sugar to satisfy immediately, enough oats and heavy ingredients to sit in your stomach for a long time, small enough that it isn't uncomfortable.

When I don't have any made I usually have one of the big MetRx bars as breakfast on weekdays.

tomhancock

I eat the special K ones, for 170 calories they have decent protein and fiber so help keep you full for a while. I usually eat them between meals to keep my energy up until the next meal. Be careful of the fat and calories though. I eat Clif bars when I go backpacking, but they are like 240 calories and overall are just bad for you, I would never eat one on a day when I am going to be at work, sitting behind a desk.

albinogorilla

If you are doing strength training, lifting, etc, you need more protein to maintain your lean mass as you lose weight. How you get it doesn't really matter, as long as you maintain your calorie deficit in the process. I usually make my own, but when i dont have time they are quick and easy to grab. Eating sugar will not stop you from losing weight. Eating more calories than you burn will.

hthrld

If you look at the macros of a protein bar you'll find it fits very well as a meal replacement - not a snack. If you want a snack, have an apple or a can of tuna. If you missed lunch - have a bar.

I eat five small "meals" a day. I typically eat protein plus, which is around 200 cals, 20g protein, 4 carbs. I usually eat the bar before the gym, and then have something small afterwards.

hthrld

I have a hard time getting enough protein, cuz I'm not a big meat eater.......so I nosh on a protein bar when my intake is low. Can't see why they'd be a problem, and certainly not much different than those who drink protein powders.

What are you worried about???

I know nothing about losing weight, nutrition, nothing. I just don't want to be putting something into my body thinking it wont be bad for me when in reality it is. Thats all.

17DayDietGal

If you're ok with the carb and sugar overload with them, go for it.

For me, I'd go with a protein shake made with Kefir or greek yogurt + fresh fruit.

With as much carbs and sugar as the protein bars have, a lot of people suffer that sugar or carb crash once it winds its way through your system.

There are a LOT more healthy ways to get your protein in than lacing it with so much c/s.

lilmisfit

Bump for recipe. Thanks!