Should I be using protein bars??

Tubbyangel
Tubbyangel Posts: 25
edited September 22 in Food and Nutrition
Hey everyone, I am guessing this has already been discussed but I went through the old posts and only found people recommending brands of bars.

I am trying to lose alot of weight and am having some sucess, I go to the gym at least three times a week and am eating a healthy but somewhat carb light diet. I see a personal trainer once a week and he mentioned that if in a hurry I could eat a protein shake or bar and a banana. I have been struggling with snacks and am often finding myself starving when walking home from the gym.

Should I be having the odd protein bar after work outs or when I dont have time to eat a regular meal.

any suggestions??

Replies

  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    I wouldn't recommend protein bars, many companies pack them with sugar to improve taste.
    I recommend BSN lean dessert protein shake. It is low carb (8 grams), has 21 grams protein, and 150 calories per scoop. You can find it at Vitamin Shoppe or online @ www.bodybuilding.com
  • lessertess
    lessertess Posts: 855 Member
    I wouldn't recommend protein bars, many companies pack them with sugar to improve taste.
    I recommend BSN lean dessert protein shake. It is low carb (8 grams), has 21 grams protein, and 150 calories per scoop. You can find it at Vitamin Shoppe or online @ www.bodybuilding.com

    I have to agree. Most of them are just glorified candy bars or milk shakes. But, I do use them occasionally as a meal substitute when I'm in a hurry or don't have time to pack something. I also use them occasionally to satisfy a candy craving. They do have a lot of sugar but, unlike a candy bar or milk shake, at least I get the benefit of additional protien.
  • HIzara
    HIzara Posts: 187
    I wouldn't recommend protein bars, many companies pack them with sugar to improve taste.
    I recommend BSN lean dessert protein shake. It is low carb (8 grams), has 21 grams protein, and 150 calories per scoop. You can find it at Vitamin Shoppe or online @ www.bodybuilding.com

    :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: BSN Lean Dessert! They are delicious!!!
  • superwmn
    superwmn Posts: 936
    I usually carry a Larabar for those 'in case of emergency' situations. If you're STARVING after the gym, a snack bar might be just what the doctor ordered.

    But if you're aiming for a certain amount of protein, a Larabar likely won't cut it.

    My husband is really into protein bars and considers any bar containing under a billion grams of protein to not contain enough protein. His bars are too high-cal for me and don't taste as good as my Larabars.

    Depends what your goal is: satisfying hunger or packing in a ton of protein (or both).

    Charmagne
  • 35again
    35again Posts: 46 Member
    I did some research on protein bars since many of them are, like others here said, basically a glorified candy bar with a ton of sugar. I came down to deciding to purchase these: http://2to1proteinbars.com/whitecrispycrunch.html ... they are basicaly a meal replacement, but low carb and low cal with tons of protein. And they don't taste too bad :) If there is a day I know I'm going to run low on protein and I have enough calories I'll grab one of them.
  • lordofultima
    lordofultima Posts: 293
    protein bars are full of junk, ya don't need'em! Just make a protein shake and you're good to go. You can get whey isolate protein which is completely lean protein, no additives, carbs, sugars or anything like that.
  • T_R_A_V
    T_R_A_V Posts: 1,629 Member
    I think protein shakes are more beneficial...plus they taste much better
  • 2bFitNTrim
    2bFitNTrim Posts: 1,209 Member
    I save the protein bars when I'm about to lose control and wolf down some candy or something similarily bad for me. They have lots of sugar in them, so not good for regular use. :noway:
  • lisa451999
    lisa451999 Posts: 84
    I would avoid them whenever possible. I do like Clif bars when I am in a hurry because of the all-natural ingredients but they do have around 20g of sugar. I recommend Optimum Whey Protein for shakes. You can't go wrong with shakes. Add peanut butter and a banana and you are ready to rock!
  • bikerbiz
    bikerbiz Posts: 179 Member
    Ever have a kidney stone? Not fun. My doc says eating TOO much protein contributes to their development. Try a 90-calorie single pack cottage cheese...it's great for after workout with enough protein and calcium. Unless you're going for bodybuilding (and putting on weight), I would skip the protein bars.
  • bikerbiz
    bikerbiz Posts: 179 Member
    ...peanut butter and celery. :-)
  • jojoworks
    jojoworks Posts: 315 Member
    I don't think protein bars are the answer; too much crud in them, not enough bites to satisfy you. I get really hungry in the after noon and I have a rather nasty rush hour commute, so in the mornings when I pack my lunch I started packing an extra baggie of veggies for my car ride home. It makes the ride go faster and then I'm not starving when I walk in the house with that MUST-EAT-NOW feeling.

    good luck and happy eating!
    JoJo
  • lordofultima
    lordofultima Posts: 293
    Doctors say a lot of things, most of them can't even take care of their own body. Antiquated "knowledge" spread across decades. Unless you eat a ridiculous amount of protein, you're not going to have kidney problems.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    MUST-EAT-NOW feeling.

    I kind of like that feeling after an awesome workout. I get in touch with my animal side. LOL
  • MisdemeanorM
    MisdemeanorM Posts: 3,493 Member
    there are tons of things you can eat if you are in a hurry.

    I would have Cliff Bars sometimes because on Sat I go to the gym to Zumba, then swimming, and eat one in between because it's portable and easy. I did notice the high sugar levels though so only had them sometimes. A lot of them can be good replacements for junk food snacks if you are trying to wean yourself.

    Snickers makes a protein bar - let's just leave it at that! haha! :laugh:

    If you are hungry AT the gym - why not an apple, a banana, some WW crackers, etc. Even a pouch of tuna and some crackers are portable and higher in protein, and tastier I think.

    I would suggest other things first, but protein bars are not bad for filling in here and there. I would not recommend them being a staple to your gym routine 3 days a week.
  • mybutterflower
    mybutterflower Posts: 90 Member
    My husband is really into protein bars and considers any bar containing under a billion grams of protein to not contain enough protein.

    My husband is the same way :laugh:
  • hewhoiscd
    hewhoiscd Posts: 1,029 Member
    You could try having a Banana (or whatever) *before* the workout.
  • jaamarsh
    jaamarsh Posts: 2
    Occasionally, they are fine. Perfect for when you don't have time to eat because as we all know, it's crucial to eat if we want to lose weight, especially if you're bustin it out at the gym. If you're looking for lots of protein but are concerned with the amount of sugar that is often found in protein bars, try Pure Protein High Protein Bars. (you can even get them at Target) My favorite flavor in chocolate peanut butter offers 20g of protein and only 2g sugar. Plus, I think they taste great. And they really do keep you full. Best of luck! :happy: :happy: :happy:
  • jld60
    jld60 Posts: 3
    I like 'em. They work for me. I eat one every day for lunch, with a piece of fruit. Lunch is not my extreme hunger time, maybe because I am at work, thinking about other things for a change!! It is the one meal that I can't overeat. I didn't bring the food with me in the morning, it just isn't available at lunch! I am so NOT a morning person, won't get up earlier and prepare a lunch, don't want to eat one that I made the night before.

    Like I said, this just works for me. I like the amount of nutrition I see on the label--lots of the vitamins have 100%...... Also, it makes food shopping super simple. There are lots of different kids--I like variety in all things!! I buy Balance bars, Luna bars and Cliff. (I am also cheap, and these are the ones I can get for a buck a piece). Can't get excited about shakes. I did a "liquid protein shake" diet years ago, and after a while, I just missed chewing and swallowing.
  • CraftyGirl4
    CraftyGirl4 Posts: 571 Member
    I personally disagree on the protein shake action everyone seems to be crazy about. I don't think they taste good at all. Protein bars are fine if you like them, but, as those before me mentioned, try to find a few lower in sugar. I personally like the "Think Thin" Bars I buy at Whole Foods.
  • guardup
    guardup Posts: 230
    Have to side with the minority here... I love my Cliff Builder Bars. And yeah, they are high in sugar. But I lift hard... and sugar is actually *necessary* for a post workout with heavy lifting - to replace your glycogen in your muscles and aid in recovery. This is important because I need to hit that same muscle group 3 days later. And I don't want to be sore.

    It depends on your workout and your goals. I am in a muscle building routine now... so sugar is not an issue after a workout. Enough protein as fast as possible after a workout IS an issue. So a Cliff Builder combined with 20oz. of water (along with the 20oz. I drank during my workout) and usually followed up with a Skim Milk with Cocoa Powder chaser give me the protein I need. I also have Jarrow Whey Protein shakes - but they taste gross. Failing that, I do Tuna or Salmon in a can. But animal protein is harder for me to digest after a workout so thats only when I am in need of a shopping trip.

    Meghan
  • aproc
    aproc Posts: 1,033 Member
    Protein bars can be good as long as your reading the labels and picking carefully.. I Eat a bar before my workouts 3 days out of the week and my go to bars are Pure protein bars. They have 0 grams of sugar and around 20 grams of protein. The chocolate peanutbutter has been my favorite so far. The caramel peanut and smores bars are good too. :) They have quite a few good flavors.
  • camillejaneims
    camillejaneims Posts: 7
    You answered my question if eating too much protein is bad ~ new to MFP and I go over protein goal everyday... UGH

    Thanks:flowerforyou:
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    We keep the Pure Protein bars around too.. we don't eat them everyday, but good in a pinch! Detour also makes a low sugar bar that has gooey caramel!
  • Tubbyangel
    Tubbyangel Posts: 25
    Thank you all for your advice. It's seem protein bars are something to use sparingly but shakes are better. To be honest I'm not sure what to do as I dont see myself as a shake girl. I have a work "friend" who is 100% to health and fitness and has her own website and just passed her kettlebell instructor course and well she usually has one to hand, to me they seem to be for super fit people dedicated to building muscle.

    I think I will try a banana or something on my walk home from the gym. I think I would just look like a fat girl slurping on a slimfast!!!! Lol
  • dmaster555
    dmaster555 Posts: 73
    Be careful with the amount of protein you take in. Many dieters have the wrong idea about protein and think it's good for them because it makes them feel full longer or it will make them leaner , etc (and the companies who make these bars are aware of this, so they make a fortune selling you "protein *enter product name here*) . As with carbs and fat, too much of protein is turned into fat. It is also very hard on the kidneys to filter this extra protein. Only 10-20% percent of your calories should come from protein.

    The average person needs about 0.8 grams of protein for each kilogram of body weight (one pound is 2.2 kilograms). Recreational exercisers need about 1.0-1.2 grams of protein/kg.Endurance athletes need 1.2- 1.4 g/kg. And resistance-training athletes need 1.4-1.8 grams of protein per kilogram.

    I'm not saying you are one of these people, but I'm tired of people who are desperate to lose weight always being so quick to believe in these myths and are only hurting themselves.

    Yes, I am saying that protein is overrated. And to answer your question, if you are taking enough protein already, NO, you do not need protein bars. Even if you are trying to get lean.
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