I want to yell NOOOOO to energy bars

123457

Replies

  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    No nutritional value? What does that even mean? Does that mean it's calorie free?

    I have some news for you that may surprise you. A McDonald's quarter pounder patty is 100% ground beef and absolutely nothing else. They put some salt and pepper on it when they cook it. And that's it.

    Calorie free? Have you even been reading what I'm writing? Have I, at any moment, said anything about or related to calories?

    And like I said, you go ahead and believe the 100% ground beef stuff. This is like arguing with a religious person about their belief system. Since I'm not trying to change your mind, and it seems you're trying to prove me wrong, I'll let you think you win and you'll live happily ever after :bigsmile:

    Apparently you don't know what you are talking about!!! I used to work for the place that McDonald's gets that meat from and I can assure you it is 100% ground beef. You are the one that is being stubborn and in a certain sense ignorant. Now I do agree the way McDonald's prepares them is not healthy but it is still ground beef.

    Eh, he already said his belief is basically a religious one. In other words, he's not at all interested in facts or reality.
  • The_WoIverine
    The_WoIverine Posts: 367 Member
    Talking about ignorants lol
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Talking about ignorants lol

    Oooh burn. You sure showed us.
  • iAMsmiling
    iAMsmiling Posts: 2,394 Member
    Talking about ignorants lol

    Misspelling an insult to someone's intelligence is always good for a laugh.
  • namluv
    namluv Posts: 194 Member
    It will end when I never accidentally sleep in again and when fresh food/vegetable vending machines come in everywhere.
  • CTCMom2009
    CTCMom2009 Posts: 263 Member
    You can almost always find a healthy meal alternative in bar form, and when you can't...

    Voodoo+Bacon+Maple+BAr.png

    OMG I hate you so much right now when i moved from the portland area i got sad because I miss Voodoo Donuts and now there is a maple bacon bar staring me right in the face <drool>

    Don't hate me just because I'm deep fried bread covered in maple flavored sugar...and bacon.

    So wrong... but oh so right!
  • MFPBrandy
    MFPBrandy Posts: 564 Member
    I don't think they're evil but I look at the nutrition info and most of them are close to being candy bars with a lot of vitamins added in. I never buy them.

    I agree with this. I choose not to eat them because for that much sugar, I'd rather have a real sweet treat, not candy masquerading as health food. My problem is when people eat them truly thinking they are healthy. They aren't, however they can fit into your daily macros if that's what makes you happy.
    ^^^This. I'm not a fan of most of them, because I prefer more whole foods, and for that much sugar/carbs, I'd rather eat something that tastes great...but they've got a long shelf life, and I have been known to keep a stash of them on hand for those times I just can't make it to lunch (or I know dinner's going to be a looooong way off). I do get a little annoyed when people think they're "freebies" -- "it's a protein bar, it doesn't count!" -- but hey, everyone is responsible for their own decisions. It is disheartening, though, how many people don't understand how to read a nutrition label, or what those numbers mean. I've known people who eat 3-4 protein/energy bars a day as snacks and don't understand why they're gaining weight instead of losing.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I don't think they're evil but I look at the nutrition info and most of them are close to being candy bars with a lot of vitamins added in. I never buy them.

    I agree with this. I choose not to eat them because for that much sugar, I'd rather have a real sweet treat, not candy masquerading as health food. My problem is when people eat them truly thinking they are healthy. They aren't, however they can fit into your daily macros if that's what makes you happy.
    ^^^This. I'm not a fan of most of them, because I prefer more whole foods, and for that much sugar/carbs, I'd rather eat something that tastes great...but they've got a long shelf life, and I have been known to keep a stash of them on hand for those times I just can't make it to lunch (or I know dinner's going to be a looooong way off). I do get a little annoyed when people think they're "freebies" -- "it's a protein bar, it doesn't count!" -- but hey, everyone is responsible for their own decisions. It is disheartening, though, how many people don't understand how to read a nutrition label, or what those numbers mean. I've known people who eat 3-4 protein/energy bars a day as snacks and don't understand why they're gaining weight instead of losing.

    I know people who eat 3-4 a day and look amazing :laugh:
  • MFPBrandy
    MFPBrandy Posts: 564 Member
    what I put in my body is MY choice, it doesn't do anything to you-other than annoy you apparently. Some people eat 100% clean, some eat 75% clean, others don't eat clean at all, to each their own

    I soak all my food in bleach!!! 100% clean!!!!
    Clean eating is that easy? Sweet!
  • MFPBrandy
    MFPBrandy Posts: 564 Member
    I don't think they're evil but I look at the nutrition info and most of them are close to being candy bars with a lot of vitamins added in. I never buy them.

    I agree with this. I choose not to eat them because for that much sugar, I'd rather have a real sweet treat, not candy masquerading as health food. My problem is when people eat them truly thinking they are healthy. They aren't, however they can fit into your daily macros if that's what makes you happy.
    ^^^This. I'm not a fan of most of them, because I prefer more whole foods, and for that much sugar/carbs, I'd rather eat something that tastes great...but they've got a long shelf life, and I have been known to keep a stash of them on hand for those times I just can't make it to lunch (or I know dinner's going to be a looooong way off). I do get a little annoyed when people think they're "freebies" -- "it's a protein bar, it doesn't count!" -- but hey, everyone is responsible for their own decisions. It is disheartening, though, how many people don't understand how to read a nutrition label, or what those numbers mean. I've known people who eat 3-4 protein/energy bars a day as snacks and don't understand why they're gaining weight instead of losing.

    I know people who eat 3-4 a day and look amazing :laugh:
    And I know people who live on fast food and look amazing. I'm still not tempted to try it.
  • lizlkbg
    lizlkbg Posts: 566
    what I put in my body is MY choice, it doesn't do anything to you-other than annoy you apparently. Some people eat 100% clean, some eat 75% clean, others don't eat clean at all, to each their own

    I soak all my food in bleach!!! 100% clean!!!!

    why do you hate non-white food????
  • MFPBrandy
    MFPBrandy Posts: 564 Member
    I am with you on this. If you can't pronounce just one of the ingredients it shouldn't go in your mouth!
    Weird. I mean, I couldn't pronounce "quinoa" when I first saw it, but "arsenic" is easy. That thinking could lead to one seriously effed-up diet.
    :-)
  • sometimes I teach 4 cycle classes in 1 day. and inbetween classes the only thing I can get ahold of to eat is a protein bar and I need to eat something before I teach as I get low blood sugar at times.
  • MFPBrandy
    MFPBrandy Posts: 564 Member
    Cutting up carrots is a process - therefore, cut carrots are PROCESSED FOODS!!! This annoys me as much as the misuse of "chemicals" and "organic." Everything is made of chemicals. All the food we eat is, by definition, organic, or it isn't food. I know what folks actually mean when they use these terms, but these uses are simply wrong.
    Umm...so what quick, easy-to-use term do you prefer to use for food that doesn't have added pesticides or hormones?
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Cutting up carrots is a process - therefore, cut carrots are PROCESSED FOODS!!! This annoys me as much as the misuse of "chemicals" and "organic." Everything is made of chemicals. All the food we eat is, by definition, organic, or it isn't food. I know what folks actually mean when they use these terms, but these uses are simply wrong.
    Umm...so what quick, easy-to-use term do you prefer to use for food that doesn't have added pesticides or hormones?

    Unprocessed doesn't mean that it doesn't have pesticides or hormones. A raw avocado can be soaked in pesticides and still be unprocessed. A raw cut of beef can be soaked in hormones but still be unprocessed.

    This is why vocabulary is important.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Even organic doesn't mean pesticide-free. You can use certain pesticides when growing organic. They actually often use multiple pesticides instead of just one, and the ones they use are often less-thoroughly studied so who knows what the effects are.

    A hamburger from McDonald's is less processed than the Amy's organic, vegan meal I had for lunch today.
  • This is the best looking piece of food I have ever seen in my life!!! Does this flavor come in a protein bar?
  • You can almost always find a healthy meal alternative in bar form, and when you can't...

    Voodoo+Bacon+Maple+BAr.png

    OMG I hate you so much right now when i moved from the portland area i got sad because I miss Voodoo Donuts and now there is a maple bacon bar staring me right in the face <drool>

    Don't hate me just because I'm deep fried bread covered in maple flavored sugar...and bacon.

    So wrong... but oh so right!


    This is the best looking piece of food I have ever seen in my life!!! Does this flavor come in a protein bar?
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    I actually agree, but I feel the same way about most processed "healthy" foods like shakes. I'm a dirty girl love my butter, cheese, and booze.

    Plus those bars taste like candy to me and I can easily binge on a whole box.
  • bump
  • sheldonz42
    sheldonz42 Posts: 233 Member
    Cutting up carrots is a process - therefore, cut carrots are PROCESSED FOODS!!! This annoys me as much as the misuse of "chemicals" and "organic." Everything is made of chemicals. All the food we eat is, by definition, organic, or it isn't food. I know what folks actually mean when they use these terms, but these uses are simply wrong.
    Umm...so what quick, easy-to-use term do you prefer to use for food that doesn't have added pesticides or hormones?

    I don't use one because there isn't one... yet. That is why new words are created all the time - to meet a new requirement. Makes a lot more sense than trying to change the meaning of a word via continual misuse. Organic, as you want to use it is actually particularly bothersome to me - makes me want to go to the grocer's and ask where the inorganic bananas are kept.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Cutting up carrots is a process - therefore, cut carrots are PROCESSED FOODS!!! This annoys me as much as the misuse of "chemicals" and "organic." Everything is made of chemicals. All the food we eat is, by definition, organic, or it isn't food. I know what folks actually mean when they use these terms, but these uses are simply wrong.
    Umm...so what quick, easy-to-use term do you prefer to use for food that doesn't have added pesticides or hormones?

    I don't use one because there isn't one... yet. That is why new words are created all the time - to meet a new requirement. Makes a lot more sense than trying to change the meaning of a word via continual misuse. Organic, as you want to use it is actually particularly bothersome to me - makes me want to go to the grocer's and ask where the inorganic bananas are kept.

    You can also buy organic salt... which is something I would generally not want to add to my food. But it's just sodium chloride.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    My issue is not whether or not someone chooses to eat something, my issue is that something processed can out bid fresh, unprocessed food making the stuff they do less too MORE expensive. That's ridiculous.

    Processed food is cheaper because manufacturers can afford to buy the unprocessed food in bulk, whereas you can't.

    Sometimes prcoessed foods are not cheaper. For example, it's cheaper to by potatoes than it is to buy a box of "add water and butter to these dehydrated slices." You will spend more money, but save time.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I don't think they're evil but I look at the nutrition info and most of them are close to being candy bars with a lot of vitamins added in. I never buy them.

    Candy bars with extra vitamins and protein added? I'm always ready for that party! :laugh:

    Yeah, that's exactly why I eat them!

    For ~200 calories, I'd rather have a Pure Protein chocolate and peanut butter bar with 20g of protein than a couple of Reese's cups with 5g.

    I wouldn't use them as meal replacements. They're just snacks.

    I had one this morning! That was only because they were out of the chocolate peanut caramel ones at my store. :bigsmile:
  • tigerblue
    tigerblue Posts: 1,526 Member
    Ugh...it's too early for a judgemental rant.

    When you have 3 kids, a fulltime job, and the closest family member is 5 hours away, THEN I'll discuss food choices with you.

    Absolutely this!!

    I can't stand people who criticize without "walking in my moccasins". If you look at my diary on a day where I have had to work a full 8 hour day, and then provide taxi service for my kids all evening, while also attending Band concert, ball game, and providing private tutoring for my youngest, plus take at least one to the orthodontist on my lunch break, the you are going to see a protein bar or two, plus maybe a fast food lunch. These are not my first choices, but sometimes you do the best you can within your situation. So the protein bar is a better choice than a snickers, and the grilled chicken from McDonald's is better than the Big Mac, etc.

    Perhaps we over scheduled working moms would benefit from some good fast easy portable cheap suggestions for eating on those days, rather than judgement.
  • I actually just had a power bar for lunch and was thinking about how unhealthy they are--its basically a candy bar, only a little more expensive. i actually think some candy bars might be better. For me, though, I have a very different relationship with a power bar than a snickers. I can eat a power bar as something quick and easy that will keep me from feeling hungry when I don't have time to eat. That's the end of it. But if I eat a Snickers bar, that's a whole different mindset, and I have found myself eating two, or three, or even six Snickers bars; or I will follow it down with a Coke and some chips and a couple Reese's cups after. Which is a problem in itself, but I would rather eat something that won't lead into a full-on binge and self-loathing. They aren't great, but at least a little better, I think.
  • sheldonz42
    sheldonz42 Posts: 233 Member
    Cutting up carrots is a process - therefore, cut carrots are PROCESSED FOODS!!! This annoys me as much as the misuse of "chemicals" and "organic." Everything is made of chemicals. All the food we eat is, by definition, organic, or it isn't food. I know what folks actually mean when they use these terms, but these uses are simply wrong.
    Umm...so what quick, easy-to-use term do you prefer to use for food that doesn't have added pesticides or hormones?

    I don't use one because there isn't one... yet. That is why new words are created all the time - to meet a new requirement. Makes a lot more sense than trying to change the meaning of a word via continual misuse. Organic, as you want to use it is actually particularly bothersome to me - makes me want to go to the grocer's and ask where the inorganic bananas are kept.

    You can also buy organic salt... which is something I would generally not want to add to my food. But it's just sodium chloride.

    That sounds suspiciously like a chemical... has to be bad.
  • katejkelley
    katejkelley Posts: 839 Member
    I read lables before I buy/eat anything and don't see much healthy at all in energy bars. Mostly I see a HUGE amount of sugar!
  • wswing
    wswing Posts: 39 Member
    All food is nutritional within the context of a balanced diet.

    But not all things marketed as food are food! :wink:



    This
  • sheldonz42
    sheldonz42 Posts: 233 Member
    All food is nutritional within the context of a balanced diet.

    But not all things marketed as food are food! :wink:



    This

    Being serious here - what non-foods are being marketed as food?