Are protein bars healthy?
LuckyMe2017
Posts: 454 Member
When I up my protein calories, If I don't eat protein bars during the day, I have to eat 8-10oz meat for dinner to reach my goal. The protein bar is easier because I can eat it at anytime and don't feel like I am stuffing myself. Are bars healthy?
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Replies
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Spread the protein out over the day and have a meal for dinner instead of a protein bar for dinner, or at least add a side of vegetables and a nice sauce to that protein bar.0
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How high is your protein goal? I get about 120 grams of protein a day and I don't have to eat 8 ounces of meat for dinner.
I work in protein throughout the day though.
I do have a protein bar or a shake four or five times a week. Usually just if I don't have time to cook or shop. Bars and shakes can be really convenient. Some of them taste really good so if a craving hits I swap candy and sweets for a protein bar.0 -
ibamosaserreinas wrote: »How high is your protein goal? I get about 120 grams of protein a day and I don't have to eat 8 ounces of meat for dinner.
I work in protein throughout the day though.
I do have a protein bar or a shake four or five times a week. Usually just if I don't have time to cook or shop. Bars and shakes can be really convenient. Some of them taste really good so if a craving hits I swap candy and sweets for a protein bar.
Mine is 30%/112g0 -
I'm addicted to protein bars and shakes. I have a hard time hitting my goals (160g) even when I'm eating them. I'm not a big fan of meat so I have to get it any way I can. Cottage cheese and eggs are my favorite non-meat options other than the bars/shakes.0
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How many grams of protein are in your bars? I have not had any this week but last month I ate 1 Met-Rx per day.0
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Pure Protein Bars have 20 grams each. (They are not as expensive as some of the tastier options. Quest Bars are super tasty and tend to have about 20 grams each but cost quite a bit.)
I have not tried Met-Rx.0 -
They're just as healthy as any other processed food. It's not the best thing you could be eating but it's convenient and better than caving to that raspberry danish at Starbucks. Pick one that doesn't taste horrible and watch the sugar content. If you're eating more than one a day to hit your goal then take a look at where you could add protein in your diet. For example, instead of snacking on carrots or celery try edamame. Try to use whole milk dairy products instead of skim (the increase in fat will not hurt you). Eat eggs. Lots of eggs. And spread that 8 - 10 oz of meat across the day instead of cramming it into dinner.
Also, don't feel like you absolutely have to hit that protein goal. Unless you're doing competitive iron sports you won't notice a difference.0 -
ibamosaserreinas wrote: »Pure Protein Bars have 20 grams each. (They are not as expensive as some of the tastier options. Quest Bars are super tasty and tend to have about 20 grams each but cost quite a bit.)
I have not tried Met-Rx.
Ok. I think I have seen quest brand. Mine have 28-30g. I have not thought about the quality in terms of pureness?0 -
I don't think Pure Protein Bars are actually more pure or higher quality or anything. They are just more reasonably priced. They are like $1.50 each compared to $2.50 for other types.0
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I'm having a hard time finding ones that aren't loaded with sugar or artificial sweeteners.0
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I personally love Quest Oreo bars. (180 cals, 21g carb, 7g fat, 21g protein). Or Power Bar I eat post workout also about the same macros. I've been finding Powerbar at places like Vons 10 for $10 and I like to order Quest from Amazon $24 a box.0
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Read the list of ingredients on the labels and decide for yourself.0
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ibamosaserreinas wrote: »How high is your protein goal? I get about 120 grams of protein a day and I don't have to eat 8 ounces of meat for dinner.
I work in protein throughout the day though.
I do have a protein bar or a shake four or five times a week. Usually just if I don't have time to cook or shop. Bars and shakes can be really convenient. Some of them taste really good so if a craving hits I swap candy and sweets for a protein bar.
Same. I eat protein throughout the day. I can easily wind up eating more protein in my first two meals than is needed and wind up with little need for protein in the evening, or I can over-eat my goals. I ate almost 160g last night, so I'm not bothering to make sure i hit my 120g goal (which I probably will reach anyway if I do a greek yogurt + nutella or PB + frozen raspberries combo)
My diary is open if you need to see how a 120g goal is reached, OP. I eat any protein source that I like, nothing is off limits. I rarely use protein powder/bars on their own now, I will buy PowerBar ones though if I am starving on the go and need something to eat. I liked the Pure Protein ones as well, Xtreme is another decent one (300ish cals). I also will increase the amount of meat I use in recipes that call for meat, or I will add meat if htey don't (e.g. soup, macaroni).
ETA I've been ~200 short since Sunday for calories because I'm not doing my normal workout routine this week (midterms) and I use TDEE method, so I just decided to eat 200 less for the week.0 -
ibamosaserreinas wrote: »How high is your protein goal? I get about 120 grams of protein a day and I don't have to eat 8 ounces of meat for dinner.
I work in protein throughout the day though.
I do have a protein bar or a shake four or five times a week. Usually just if I don't have time to cook or shop. Bars and shakes can be really convenient. Some of them taste really good so if a craving hits I swap candy and sweets for a protein bar.
Same. I eat protein throughout the day. I can easily wind up eating more protein in my first two meals than is needed and wind up with little need for protein in the evening, or I can over-eat my goals. I ate almost 160g last night, so I'm not bothering to make sure i hit my 120g goal (which I probably will reach anyway if I do a greek yogurt + nutella or PB + frozen raspberries combo)
My diary is open if you need to see how a 120g goal is reached, OP. I eat any protein source that I like, nothing is off limits. I rarely use protein powder/bars on their own now, I will buy PowerBar ones though if I am starving on the go and need something to eat. I liked the Pure Protein ones as well, Xtreme is another decent one (300ish cals). I also will increase the amount of meat I use in recipes that call for meat, or I will add meat if htey don't (e.g. soup, macaroni).
ETA I've been ~200 short since Sunday for calories because I'm not doing my normal workout routine this week (midterms) and I use TDEE method, so I just decided to eat 200 less for the week.
Thanks. I will check out your entries0 -
be careful of the ingredients in Protein Bars. Most of them are loaded with sugar. Quest is the best in terms nutrients & protein but spendy. Pure Protein are almost a third of the cost with lots of protein and very low sugar. Good Luck!0
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tat2cookie wrote: »I'm having a hard time finding ones that aren't loaded with sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Excellent point. Some of them I could easily the ingredients and nutrient label aside a snickers and not be able to tell the difference.
I usually eat Quest bars. What do people think of those?0 -
ibamosaserreinas wrote: »How high is your protein goal? I get about 120 grams of protein a day and I don't have to eat 8 ounces of meat for dinner.
I work in protein throughout the day though.
I do have a protein bar or a shake four or five times a week. Usually just if I don't have time to cook or shop. Bars and shakes can be really convenient. Some of them taste really good so if a craving hits I swap candy and sweets for a protein bar.
Same. I eat protein throughout the day. I can easily wind up eating more protein in my first two meals than is needed and wind up with little need for protein in the evening, or I can over-eat my goals. I ate almost 160g last night, so I'm not bothering to make sure i hit my 120g goal (which I probably will reach anyway if I do a greek yogurt + nutella or PB + frozen raspberries combo)
My diary is open if you need to see how a 120g goal is reached, OP. I eat any protein source that I like, nothing is off limits. I rarely use protein powder/bars on their own now, I will buy PowerBar ones though if I am starving on the go and need something to eat. I liked the Pure Protein ones as well, Xtreme is another decent one (300ish cals). I also will increase the amount of meat I use in recipes that call for meat, or I will add meat if htey don't (e.g. soup, macaroni).
ETA I've been ~200 short since Sunday for calories because I'm not doing my normal workout routine this week (midterms) and I use TDEE method, so I just decided to eat 200 less for the week.
Thanks. I will check out your entries
Np. All of the recipes though will not show ingredient info, but for e.g. the sloppy joes I've been eating are made with ground turkey breast (tastes better with beef but we just had the turkey). Things like protein pancakes or baked oatmeal have added protein powder in them. Not much else I can think of that needs clarification though.0 -
Been happy with Quest bars and they are low in sugar also.0
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I have some CNP xs protein bars.
They taste like dirty cardboard. My dog had the last one I tried to eat.
Millionaire's shortbread protein powder in porridge
Couple of chicken breast
Some wafer thin processed (EVIL EVIL) chicken
Some wafer thin processed (EVIL EVIL) turkey ham
Tuna and cottage cheese
Spicy chicken pizza with some added beef mince
Milk
Protein macros done.0 -
The protein bars are specially used by the athletes who are looking for competitive edge. But a days if anyone wants a nutrition boos or want to boost themselves with protein then they must use protein bar after consulting with your physician or doctor. Protein bars are generally for active people who are looking for something to tide over between workouts and meals.0
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AmberAntoine wrote: »The protein bars are specially used by the athletes who are looking for competitive edge. But a days if anyone wants a nutrition boos or want to boost themselves with protein then they must use protein bar after consulting with your physician or doctor. Protein bars are generally for active people who are looking for something to tide over between workouts and meals.
Protein bars can be consumed by anyone. One does not require doctor permission to consume them.0 -
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Wow! Everybody eats so much protein here! Because I weight train, my protein goal is about 0.75-1g per pound of lean body mass (NOT per pound of total weight) so for me, that's 70-94g of protein per day. I struggle to get the higher amount, but I generally get between 70-80 pretty easily. I can't imagine having to eat the 120-160 a lot of people are doing here. That's twice what I consume. That would be so expensive. I'd be in trouble for sure, since I can't use whey protein (I don't digest casein properly
)! 0 -
AmberAntoine wrote: »The protein bars are specially used by the athletes who are looking for competitive edge. But a days if anyone wants a nutrition boos or want to boost themselves with protein then they must use protein bar after consulting with your physician or doctor. Protein bars are generally for active people who are looking for something to tide over between workouts and meals.
What? Who told you that?
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I know most of them taste really good!0
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just FYI it's usually rec'd to based that off of total weight, not lean body mass! 0.8 is usually a general number given, based off of total weight. But if you find that the lower intake is okay for you with respect to your weight lifting and body composition goals then just increase if results change.Wow! Everybody eats so much protein here! Because I weight train, my protein goal is about 0.75-1g per pound of lean body mass (NOT per pound of total weight) so for me, that's 70-94g of protein per day. I struggle to get the higher amount, but I generally get between 70-80 pretty easily. I can't imagine having to eat the 120-160 a lot of people are doing here. That's twice what I consume. That would be so expensive. I'd be in trouble for sure, since I can't use whey protein (I don't digest casein properly )!
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The short answer is: No, protein bars are not healthy. Look at the list of ingredients on the average protein bar and you will undoubtedly see some sort of sugar additive.0
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just FYI it's usually rec'd to based that off of total weight, not lean body mass! 0.8 is usually a general number given, based off of total weight. But if you find that the lower intake is okay for you with respect to your weight lifting and body composition goals then just increase if results change.Wow! Everybody eats so much protein here! Because I weight train, my protein goal is about 0.75-1g per pound of lean body mass (NOT per pound of total weight) so for me, that's 70-94g of protein per day. I struggle to get the higher amount, but I generally get between 70-80 pretty easily. I can't imagine having to eat the 120-160 a lot of people are doing here. That's twice what I consume. That would be so expensive. I'd be in trouble for sure, since I can't use whey protein (I don't digest casein properly )!
Wow! LOL! I calculated it out using the 0.8 you suggested. For me, that's only like 8g more protein than using the 1g per pound of lean body mass formula. Close enough for me! Maybe that's because my lean mass is already close to 80%. Wonder how it would work for others who don't have as much lean mass... (*)0 -
Yes. I eat half at a time. I will definitely check out Quest since there seems to be a concensus that it is a good option.
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