Opinions on protien bars? Okay for every day?

I need a protein snack for that in between lunch & dinner time. I don't want to do another shake & I need a break from tuna & egg whites, yogurt & cottage cheese is usually saved for my desert lol. So I was thinking a protein bar might be good & simple? I have heard Quest bars are one of the best because they are made from more natural ingredients & low in carbs. I would be consuming one a day & I don't know if that's to much? If not, I am open to suggestions on what I could eat for that mid afternoon snack.

Replies

  • Hirgy03
    Hirgy03 Posts: 332 Member
    I'd be interested in hearing the responses to this as well. Right now, I have one each mid-morning and mid-afternoon for my snacks. I've been doing this for about 2 months. I look at it more as a "calorie thing" than anything else. Not only that, but the Nature Valley protein bars are something I found that I really like and they are "dense" enough that I actually feel like I ate something worthwhile.
  • Bump
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Read the dietary content very carefully. Most protein bars are nothing more than thinly disguised candy bars. "Less processed" or "lower carbs" doesn't automatically equate to being beneficial. If you can find one with a decent nutritional profile, I wouldn't see anything wrong with having one daily - they're food, just like any other food - but I don't find any of them to be particularly satisfying/satiating as a snack.
  • ihateroses
    ihateroses Posts: 893 Member
    I reeeeeally like quest bars. Some flavors taste a bit like play doh though so be careful.

    The chocolate-peanut butter one tastes like a tootsie roll and is super filling. (DONT get the Cinnamon Roll flavor...pure cardboard...with a hint of cinnamon ;) )

    http://www.questproteinbar.com/
  • SyStEmPhReAk
    SyStEmPhReAk Posts: 330 Member
    <
    eats a protein bar EVERY DAY!!
  • ihateroses
    ihateroses Posts: 893 Member
    <
    eats a protein bar EVERY DAY!!

    What's your brand! Doesn't look like you're eating the candybar types haha
  • NaurielR
    NaurielR Posts: 429 Member
    I like Quest protein bars. Lots of protein for relatively few calories. Just be sure that you have a day or two to yourself when you first try them, unless you already eat A LOT of fiber. each bar has 17-18 grams of fiber, which is quite a bit. It certainly won't be a problem if your body is accustomed to fiber, but if you're not you could have some "digestive problems" (to put it delicately)

    Also beware the sugar alcohol. This could also cause digestive problems. Some people can handle sugar alcohols well or have built up an immunity, and with other people even a couple grams will have them running to the bathroom every couple minutes.

    One major downside to Quest bars is that they are quite expensive. If you plan to eat one a day, it will really add up.

    I don't mean to put you off Quest bars with these warnings. I eat them occasionally, and think they are some of the best protein bars around. They pack a lot of protein and fiber. They're definitely not the glorified candy bar that most protein bars are, and they taste pretty decent. If you like tootsie rolls, you'll love the chocolate brownie flavor (its my favorite)
  • otrlynn
    otrlynn Posts: 273 Member
    I like Kashi Go Lean Chocolate Caramel Protein and Fiber bar--150 calories, 8 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber. They are reasonably priced and provide enough protein for a decent snack. I don't see why one in the afternoon would be a problem if it fits within your goals.
  • SyStEmPhReAk
    SyStEmPhReAk Posts: 330 Member
    <
    eats a protein bar EVERY DAY!!

    What's your brand! Doesn't look like you're eating the candybar types haha

    Pure protein.
  • ashleybreuer
    ashleybreuer Posts: 51 Member
    I eat 2 quest bars a day. Brownie is by far my favorite and I find that if I warm them in the microwave they taste amazing.
  • annepage
    annepage Posts: 585 Member
    I like the Nature Valley Protein bars. Looking into making my own though. Currently looking at:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/355126-diy-protein-bars/
  • Thanks for the suggestions :-)
  • treisch
    treisch Posts: 13
    Make sure they are low in sugar/carbs and they are fine! I like Pure Protein bars
  • I eat a Questbar everyday, and love them! If you want a "desert" heat your oven to 400 degrees and put a questbar in it for 4 and half minutes. I bake my apple pie and chocolate cookie dough flavors all the time, and they're delicious! Quest is also coming out with a cookies and cream bar in the next couple of weeks :D
  • lseed87
    lseed87 Posts: 1,105 Member
    I've only tried one Quest bar before. It was ok. Kind of expensive and never really see them around.

    I enjoy clif bars and kind bars.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    I find Quest bars to be disgusting but better tolerated if you microwave them for 5 to 10 seconds. They appear to be better nutritionally than most protein bars.

    Many of the protein bars available at common stores are a hodgepodge of various ingredients which generally include lots of added sugar. Not that that is an issue, but something to be aware of...

    Alternatively why not use an alternate protein source like tuna in the packets or beef jerky or lunch meat etc etc. They are still rather portable and easy to eat on the run.
  • codycsweet
    codycsweet Posts: 1,019 Member
    I just tried the quest bars this week flavor so love white chocolate raspberry, brownie, and chocolate chip cookie dough. I went and got a few others t try this week. Ones with the sugar alcohol have the after taste but not too bad for me anyway.
  • Davelh1976
    Davelh1976 Posts: 140 Member
    Moderation Is everything! Just be careful some people are overdosing on protein in which can elevate ketone levels and damage kidneys.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I just go for the ones that have 20g of protein. Quest are the best because they have a lot of fiber too. Pure protein is ok (the soft baked ones are excellent) but have more sugar. All the 'protein' bars that have less than 20g of protein or are over 210 calories are pretty much candy bars though, still good (I love Luna and Cliff Bars) but harder to fit in a diary I think...
  • I was shocked when I found that one of my favourite proteinbars made it almost impossible for me to git my sugar goals - Every time I'd eaten one I was waaaay over.
    So as long as you're aware of the sugar content I don't think anything bad could happen.
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  • wannakimmy
    wannakimmy Posts: 488 Member
    I eat a protein bar before I work out. Either a cliff bar or a kellogs protein bar. I don't know if this is good or not, but it is what I do...
  • AmykinsCatfood
    AmykinsCatfood Posts: 599 Member
    They're often pretty high in sugars and carbs. Edited to say that neither are bad if you don't have a medical condition that requires you to watch those macros, but it's totally your choice.

    I think you'd be better off with a pre-made protein shake. Less sugar and probably more protein.
  • lebbyloses
    lebbyloses Posts: 133 Member
    I have a quest bar for breakfast pretty frequently. Yesterday I had one for breakfast and one for lunch, and was faced with the pleasant problem of having met my macros with a lot of calories still to eat. I don't think it will physically be bad for you as long as you are also eating your veggies, etc.

    That said, they are expensive, and I'm trying not to rely on them because I need to teach myself real foods that fit my needs, since I don't think daily quest bars are a feasible life choice for me.
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    I don't really like protein bars. I prefer protein drinks.
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    I try to stay away from them.. but I just bought some yesterday. I've upped my workouts for a few weeks and am falling ridiculously short of my goals now.

    I bought pure protein and simple truth because they were on sale and i'm currently broke. Maybe they are the candy bar type, but they have 20g of protein each and they taste decent.

    I used to eat them everyday. for months and months.. I prefer toe at real food, but until I can figure out how to up my calories/macros with real food this is what i'm doing again..

    I also do a protein shake or protein pudding everyday.
  • jetskiaccidents
    jetskiaccidents Posts: 1 Member
    I eat Detour bars (available at Costco for roughly $20-25 for 20 bars). They're snack-sized bars at only 170 calories, and I don't eat them every day... but I definitely end up resorting to them a few days a week when it's not feasible to carry cottage cheese around with me!

    Nutrition Facts
    43g Bar
    Serving Size 1 Bar
    Amount Per Serving %DV*
    Calories 170
    Calories from Fat 45
    Total Fat 5g 8%
    Saturated Fat 3g 15%
    Trans Fat 0
    Cholesterol 5mg 2%
    Sodium 240mg 10%
    Potassium 140mg 4%
    Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
    Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
    Sugars 3g
    Sugar Alcohol 12g
    Protein 15g 30%
    Calcium 8% 15%
    Ingredients: Detour® Whey Protein Blend [(Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein), Calcium Caseinate], GlycerLean™ [99.7% USP Glycerine, Taurine, L-Leucine, CLA], Soy Protein Isolate, Milk Chocolate Flavored Coating [Maltitol, Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil, Non-Fat Dry Milk, Cocoa Powder (processed with Alkali), Soy Lecithin, Salt, Vanilla], Peanuts [Peanuts and Spices], Sugar Free Caramel [Maltitol Syrup, Water, Cream, Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil, Milk Protein Concentrate, Natural Flavors, Salt, Butter, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Disodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid], Gelatin, Water, Whey Protein Crisps [Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Rice Flour], Inulin, Natural Flavors, Canola Oil, Mono and Di-Glycerides, Salt, Potassium Sorbate (as a Preservative), Sucralose, Natural Vitamin E (as Mixed Tocopherols), Neotame.

    Contains: Peanuts, Soy and Milk Products.
  • gemk
    gemk Posts: 22 Member
    Hi, have you ever thought of making your own. I was in the same boat as you so decided to buy some really good protein powder and make my own. I know what's in them and they aren't full of sugars and additives. Plenty of homemade recipes on the forums xx