Question #2 for Protein Bar Snobs

Carpaydeeum
Carpaydeeum Posts: 116
in Food and Nutrition
So while researching protein bars I realized that two or three (or even four) string cheese sticks tend to have less cals & sugar and more protein than many "high protein" bars. They also are much cheaper. Please tell me why i should spent more for protein bars or consume more sugar?

Kraft String Cheese - four pieces

Calories 80 Sodium 190 mg
Total Fat 6 g Potassium 0 mg
Saturated 4 g Total Carbs 0 g
Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 0 g
Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 0 g
Trans 0 g Protein 7 g
Cholesterol 20 mg
Vitamin A 4% Calcium 15%
Vitamin C 0% Iron 0


Power Bar Protein Plus 20

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 bar
Calories 210
Calories from fat 45
* Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Amount/Serving % DV*
Total Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol less than 5mg 2%
Sodium 120mg 5%
Potassium 80mg 2%
Total Carb 27g 9%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Sugars 13g
Protein 20g 40%
• Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 0% • Calcium 8% • Iron 6%

Replies

  • Carpaydeeum
    Carpaydeeum Posts: 116
    (For the record my "snob" title is to provoke responses...not provoke protein bar snobs :) )
  • navyrigger46
    navyrigger46 Posts: 1,301 Member
    Not sure why this couldn't be done in one post, but hey, no problem. The answer is, you shouldn't, String cheese is awesome, and some of us like both.

    Rigger
  • heatherloveslifting
    heatherloveslifting Posts: 1,428 Member
    Because string cheese is not chocolate flavored. :wink:
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    It's not nearly as cool to eat string cheese. Think about it!
  • FitterTerri
    FitterTerri Posts: 91 Member
    So while researching protein bars I realized that two or three (or even four) string cheese sticks tend to have less cals & sugar and more protein than many "high protein" bars. They also are much cheaper. Please tell me why i should spent more for protein bars or consume more sugar?

    Kraft String Cheese - four pieces

    Calories 80 Sodium 190 mg
    Total Fat 6 g Potassium 0 mg
    Saturated 4 g Total Carbs 0 g
    Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 0 g
    Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 0 g
    Trans 0 g Protein 7 g
    Cholesterol 20 mg
    Vitamin A 4% Calcium 15%
    Vitamin C 0% Iron 0


    Power Bar Protein Plus 20

    Nutrition Facts

    Serving Size 1 bar
    Calories 210
    Calories from fat 45
    * Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
    Amount/Serving % DV*
    Total Fat 5g 8%
    Saturated Fat 3g 15%
    Trans Fat 0g
    Cholesterol less than 5mg 2%
    Sodium 120mg 5%
    Potassium 80mg 2%
    Total Carb 27g 9%
    Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
    Sugars 13g
    Protein 20g 40%
    • Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 0% • Calcium 8% • Iron 6%

    4 string cheese have 7g of protein and 1 protein bar has 20g of protein. Not sure if you made an error some where but by these numbers, string cheese do not have more protein than a protein bar.

    Having said that, have you tasted Swiss Recover Choc Coconut protein bars? They are absolutely delicious!
  • jhalton
    jhalton Posts: 85
    Because the cheese sticks don't taste like candy bars.
  • ecka723
    ecka723 Posts: 148 Member
    Your sodium levels would go through the roof. If they are 190 mg in sodium each (which, is actually decent for cheese/cheese sticks), then you are consuming 760 mg of sodium in just cheese per day.
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    Cheese sticks are for when you want to eat cheese, and protein bars are for when you want a candy bar. Plus they're usually easier to find at gas stations. And if you're in the habit of packing all your food everywhere you go, they're more shelf-stable. So there are reasons to eat them, but if those aren't things you're looking for, there's no rule that says you HAVE to eat them.
  • arcticfox04
    arcticfox04 Posts: 1,011 Member
    I need carbs after working out as much as protein. Normally a protein bar can fill that void if I can't eat a meal after the gym due to time reasons. Simple Carbs > Complex Carbs after you done working out since your body needs to replace the depleted glycogen levels in the muscle. Simple carbs work better then complex carbs in that respect. Also most protein bars will have a fast working protein like Whey to help recovery.

    If your not lifting or doing a crazy amount of activity then Mozzarella sticks are perfectly fine but it has 80% casein & 20% whey. It'll keep you full longer but without carbs its not as good for post workout unless you combine it with something else with carbs.
  • ostrichagain
    ostrichagain Posts: 271 Member
    More sodium, less fiber, goes nasty in my gym bag.

    String cheese is good, I don't think I want four though.
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    ..... Can you not do simple math? The calculations you have there are for ONE piece of string cheese. So, four pieces is 320 cals and 21g protein.

    That being said, I like protein bars sometimes but enjoy string cheese more. Honestly though, if you're going to get uppity about it at least make sure your facts are correct.
  • ElsaVonMarmalade
    ElsaVonMarmalade Posts: 154 Member
    Where are you getting all this peer pressure to eat protein bars? Nobody has ever tried to get me to eat a protein bar (even while tri training and doing Crossfit). I don't like them and there are lots of other good protein sources out there so . . .
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    Love my cheese and Quest bars. :heart:
  • Lissa_M
    Lissa_M Posts: 131
    Your sodium levels would go through the roof. If they are 190 mg in sodium each (which, is actually decent for cheese/cheese sticks), then you are consuming 760 mg of sodium in just cheese per day.

    This
    Because the cheese sticks don't taste like candy bars.

    and this.

    I don't consider myself a protein bar snob, but I eat 2 a day. I :heart: cheese, but 4 cheese sticks aren't going to fill me up like a protein bar does.
  • fivethreeone
    fivethreeone Posts: 8,196 Member
    String cheese is good, but I would rather just get my protein without using up equal fats for the day as well.

    Personally, I like Quest bars. 200 calories, at least 20 g protein and only 5-10g fat. They taste way better than string cheese, too.
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    Where are you getting all this peer pressure to eat protein bars? Nobody has ever tried to get me to eat a protein bar (even while tri training and doing Crossfit). I don't like them and there are lots of other good protein sources out there so . . .

    Right..... still not sure if srs

    Also - going out on a limb and assuming this is what OP is all about, but if you're having trouble hitting your protein macro, why not just try changing the percentages? There is more than one way to make 100 and if you're really not into protein you don't have to consume high quantities of it. It won't kill you to eat more carbs or fat instead, promise.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    String cheese is good, but I would rather just get my protein without using up equal fats for the day as well.

    Personally, I like Quest bars. 200 calories, at least 20 g protein and only 5-10g fat. They taste way better than string cheese, too.

    some have only 170 calories!
  • EmilyEmpowered
    EmilyEmpowered Posts: 650 Member
    My kids eat string cheese, and at least in my area, there is no way that eating 4 a day would be cheaper than a protein bar. I can find good deals at my local grocery store & can protein bars $5/5 or $5/10

    Also, not the same amount of protein

    Also, not chocolate flavored :wink:
  • Aparz1
    Aparz1 Posts: 949
    I think protein bars should be skipped. They have too much sugar and carbs. I drink a 0 carb 0 sugar protein shake... Fills me up and tastes decent :) prob cheaper than the other options too
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    you're comparing a low quality bar to the string cheese.

    any high protein bar is going to be full of fillers to make it taste good. I'd prefer bars with all real ingredients and less protein every day of the week (I currently use Pure Organic bars, not to be confused with Pure Protein bars)

    that said, string cheese is a decent alternative if dairy isn't an issue for you.
  • james6998
    james6998 Posts: 743 Member
    So while researching protein bars I realized that two or three (or even four) string cheese sticks tend to have less cals & sugar and more protein than many "high protein" bars. They also are much cheaper. Please tell me why i should spent more for protein bars or consume more sugar?

    Kraft String Cheese - four pieces

    Calories 80 Sodium 190 mg
    Total Fat 6 g Potassium 0 mg
    Saturated 4 g Total Carbs 0 g
    Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 0 g
    Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 0 g
    Trans 0 g Protein 7 g
    Cholesterol 20 mg
    Vitamin A 4% Calcium 15%
    Vitamin C 0% Iron 0


    Power Bar Protein Plus 20

    Nutrition Facts

    Serving Size 1 bar
    Calories 210
    Calories from fat 45
    * Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
    Amount/Serving % DV*
    Total Fat 5g 8%
    Saturated Fat 3g 15%
    Trans Fat 0g
    Cholesterol less than 5mg 2%
    Sodium 120mg 5%
    Potassium 80mg 2%
    Total Carb 27g 9%
    Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
    Sugars 13g
    Protein 20g 40%
    • Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 0% • Calcium 8% • Iron 6%
    Simple make your own.
    4 scoops of protein power (whey)
    4 tablespoons of low fat or organic PB.
    2 cups of oats
    1/2 cup of milk,
    =YUM

    Roughly =
    1612cal/8= 201.5 each
    carbs= 22.57
    fat = 4.95
    protein= 19.50
    sodium=58.37
    fiber= 16
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    String cheese is good, but I would rather just get my protein without using up equal fats for the day as well.

    Personally, I like Quest bars. 200 calories, at least 20 g protein and only 5-10g fat. They taste way better than string cheese, too.

    All of this.

    Until string cheese tastes like cookie dough I'm not seeing one as an alternative for the other. I like string cheese and I eat it but I eat it for the joy of having string cheese, not when I need a protein boost/want something chocolaty and delicious.
  • Carpaydeeum
    Carpaydeeum Posts: 116
    oops didn't multiply my posted numbers for string cheese times four...sorry for the error..

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