I'm confused

tommytorquestick

At work today we had a birthday and birthday cake. I haven't had birthday cake in a while and I usually eat a protein bar instead, but this birthday cake looked like it was definitely worth the calories (and it was). I went to log the piece of birthday cake(Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting from Jewel) and found out that it's 50 calories LESS than my usual protein bar (Promax).
Now I guess the cake is worse for me than the protein bar because it's sugary carbohydrates and doesn't contain much protein and my protein bar has some sugar, some carbohydrates, but a lot of protein. But in the name of counting calories the cake looks like a better alternative.
For what it's worth I almost always get more than enough protein and not enough carbs each day. That cake was really good and I shouldn't feel guilty because I eat really, really healthy and I workout every day, but I'm just a little bit confused here.

EvanKeel

You don't sound that confused

I guess I'd want to know why you're eating the protein bar at all? It's not that I don't think you should, but the motivations for eating the protein bar might help clear up some confusion. If you're eating the protein bar because you want to maintain muscle while losing weight, and eating the bar helps that, then that's the justification for choosing the bar over the cake on a regular basis.

EDIT: I'm also curious what percentages and/or grams per day you're setting for yourself in terms of proteins and fats, and subsequently carbs. Do you do a lot of endurance training that the carbs help with that would make you think you're not getting enough?

lizziebeth1028

A lot protein bars and 'fitness' bars are packed with calories, processed carbs and sugars along with the little boost of protein, not all are as good for you as they're trumped up to be. There are other nutritious snacks that you could have in their place...greek yogurt, cottage cheese, string cheese, almonds, nuts, homemade protein shake or........on occasion a small piece of cake or a couple of cookies. Everything in moderation!!!!!!

stfuriada

Just because it's a protein bar doesn't mean it's packed with fillers.

cheesy_blasters

Yeah, I agree with everyone else. Depending on the bar, they can be very sugary too. I know I saw one once with marshmellow/caramel/chocolate and there wasn't even *that* much protein in it. Maybe looking into whole foods bars might give you a better balance? Either way, I'd take the protein over the empty foods at the end of the day.

I think it can get really confusing when you're trying to make good choices. The best way I've found is to compare everything- calories/protein/sugar/fiber/vitmains/minerals and see which is more "beneficial". I want to get something from my food besides energy (calories).

MonkeyFlower

also when i log a peice of chocolate cake it has a heck of a lot more cals than my protein bars so maybe look at getting a lower cal bar as a snack?

tommytorquestick

You don't sound that confused

I guess I'd want to know why you're eating the protein bar at all? It's not that I don't think you should, but the motivations for eating the protein bar might help clear up some confusion. If you're eating the protein bar because you want to maintain muscle while losing weight, and eating the bar helps that, then that's the justification for choosing the bar over the cake on a regular basis.

EDIT: I'm also curious what percentages and/or grams per day you're setting for yourself in terms of proteins and fats, and subsequently carbs. Do you do a lot of endurance training that the carbs help with that would make you think you're not getting enough?

Thanks for all the replies. I usually have a protein bar at work or in my car as kind of an emergency meal replacement. I would always indulge in birthday cake if it was at work but a couple months ago I was thinking having a protein bar, which I like would be an indulgence, but not as bad. A better food choice if you will.

As far as my carbs/protein, my MFP breakdown is 55%carbs, 30%fat, and 15%protein. That's probably some sort of default. I'm currently doing a P90X/Insanity hybrid and I’m trying to lose a little bit of fat and tone up. I do a little bit of running, but not enough to carbload.

I guess the bottom line is I need to switch back to regular Power Bars or something that doesn’t have more calories than birthday cake.

EvanKeel

Yeah, a protein bar can be a better choice than cake, but you end up with the same problem as you might with protein shakes. Some of them are designed for body builders who are in a bulking cycle, and sometimes they're not as lower cal as they could be. It's definitely a good idea to keep an eye on on the labels for the bar to make sure you're not getting more than you mean to.

I don't know what's available in your area, but I usually don't have a problem finding Think Thin bars either in the health food section of the grocery store or in a Trader Joe's. They have 20g of protein without going overboard on other sources of calories.

Person suggestion: I might try upping your protein and lowering the carb a little. Maybe 40% carb, 30% fat and protein each. You can change those settings by customizing your goals, I believe.

tommytorquestick

Yeah, a protein bar can be a better choice than cake, but you end up with the same problem as you might with protein shakes. Some of them are designed for body builders who are in a bulking cycle, and sometimes they're not as lower cal as they could be. It's definitely a good idea to keep an eye on on the labels for the bar to make sure you're not getting more than you mean to.

I don't know what's available in your area, but I usually don't have a problem finding Think Thin bars either in the health food section of the grocery store or in a Trader Joe's. They have 20g of protein without going overboard on other sources of calories.

Person suggestion: I might try upping your protein and lowering the carb a little. Maybe 40% carb, 30% fat and protein each. You can change those settings by customizing your goals, I believe.

Thanks, I'll do that!
Would you believe we've got birthday cake today too? I can't even believe it.