Protein Bars - Yes or No?

markedbyawolf

Hey all! So I wanted your opinions about proteins bars. I'm eating clean, which means I am *trying* to cut out sugar & alcohol. I have totally cut out bread, I'm keeping true wheat {no processed stuff} I have totally cut out butter, totally cut out soda, etc.

Anyway, all that being said all of these protein bars boast muscle building abilities and 25 grams of protein, but their label touts trans fats, additives, and other such none sense where as my KIND nut bar is just that. Nuts held together by honey.

So my question is are those big ole protein bars part of your workout and eating healthy regime or do you cut them out?

Amy_Andrews

You have to be really careful with protein bars, just like with boxed breakfast cereals. You have to look at calories, fat, and sugar to see if the grams of protein they deliver are worth it. I personally get my protein from other sources. You can do a google search for best protein bars and it lists them based on calories, fat & sugar. The KIND bars make the list Good luck

JenMc14

I don't eat the ones that are super high in calories and fat. And, they will only help you build muscle if that's your goal, you'd also have to be taking other steps like eating at a surplus and lifting truly heavy. Protein bars alone aren't just going to make your muscle grows. So, if you prefer the ingredients in KIND bars, go for it, but they are a ton lower in protein, don't most have only 4 or so grams? I like the Clif MOJO bars, they mostly have 8 or 9 grams, so a little more, which I prefer. I'm not sure how their ingredient list compares to Kind bars, but I do know they sell them at Whole Foods which has some pretty restrictive "product cannot contain" rules. But, you really can't compare the Kind bars to the big protein bars since they don't have anywhere near the same amount of protein.

LoraF83

A protein bar will only help build muscle if the rest of your diet and exercise routine is also geared towards that goal.

I eat protein bars and drink shakes sometimes.....not every day, but a few times a week. It's an easy way to help me meet my protein goal. Could I meet my goal by eating plenty of meat and dairy? Yes, but that's not always possible for me. So, a protein bar or shake it is.

The same rules you apply to the rest of your intake should apply to a bar - does it fit in your calorie and macro goals? Does the inclusion of that item require to leave out something else that you also need? Could you sub something else in that would fit better?

supermodelchic

I prefer to get my protein from food/shakes, I do not eat protein bars..

jasonp_ritzert

I eat them primarily as a treat, not a normal part of my diet.

markedbyawolf

Well I am for sure working out quite a bit, 60 minutes 5 days a week with a 1850 calorie intake {unless I workout it goes up}. I'm just wondering if those big ole bars are truly worth it or fit into my clean eating. Because it's not looking like it, which is too bad because I can't afford meat. So all of my protein I get from eggs. {technically right now I can't afford any groceries but lol}

krhn

Pretty much what everyone said, if you want to build muscle you must have a certain amount of protein and some from the other macros as well... It doesn't really matter where you get the protein from if I'm honest. Protein bars are good that most do have high protein counts but unfortunately like most yummy bars, they have just as much calories, fats and sugars as chocolate bars just with additional protein in it - not forgetting that bars do tend to have a higher price tag than the rest of the other foods!

joleenl

If you don't mind whey (or other) protein powder with your clean eating then there are tons of homemade protein bar recipes online. I haven't tried them yet because I haven't found a good non-dairy glutten free protein shake that is affordable.

krhn

Well I am for sure working out quite a bit, 60 minutes 5 days a week with a 1850 calorie intake {unless I workout it goes up}. I'm just wondering if those big ole bars are truly worth it or fit into my clean eating. Because it's not looking like it, which is too bad because I can't afford meat. So all of my protein I get from eggs. {technically right now I can't afford any groceries but lol}

I think you get more bang for the buck on protein powders than any other foods... If the goal is muscle building priority would be to get a quality protein powder in which you can incorporate daily!

nycgirlie87

I had a trainer who really pushed protein bars on me

they're only great if you dont have time to make a full meal. look for bars that have a good ratio of proteins to calories. 20grams of protein and 200 calorie bars is a good ratio. I liked thinkthin and quest bars for its high protein, low cal and low sugar. just some advice if you were to go that route.

protein no matter how you get it is great for right after the gym to build muscle and for recovery but im huge advocate for whole foods and making meals

markedbyawolf

Yeah, they are totally more expensive than the other options which is another reason why I tend to stay away, it seems like a good meal replacement but often I'm left wondering 'how could this chocolate and caramel have that much good in it for me?' which probably means it doesn't! Thanks for hte opinions guys!

joleenl

Yeah, they are totally more expensive than the other options which is another reason why I tend to stay away, it seems like a good meal replacement but often I'm left wondering 'how could this chocolate and caramel have that much good in it for me?' which probably means it doesn't! Thanks for hte opinions guys!

Not sure if you are Canadian or if you can get this product where you are, but I have been experimenting with a product called Prairie Naturals. The one I currently have is dark chocolate. The ingredients list is reasonable. It's sweetened with stevia. It's organic. Its an ancient grains protein powder. I don't have the container in front of me, but I think it's rice, hemp, quinoa, and pea protein. It doesnt taste that great. I been mixing it with unsweetened almond milk (vanilla). It's fairly expensive. I use it only when I'm hard pressed.

melsinct

Most are glorified candy bars, so check ingredients and the nutrition label. As already noted above, there are better and worse options in the protein bar world.

SwimSoccerTaxi

QUEST Protein Bars....few ingredients (all of which you can easily define what it is) and wheat and soy free. They are unlike other bars that are full of chemicals and sugars. I only like a few flavours though....Coconut/Cashew is #1, Chocolate Peanut Butter/Chocolate Brownie are tied for #2 and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is #3. They are available @ GNC in the States (and usually they have a buy 3 get the 4th free....works out to $25.00/box which is 12) and at Nutrition House in Canada ($40.00/box which is also 12). They have 160-190 calories and 20-22 grams of protein.

Good luck which ever way you go!!!