Protein bars
Jeepguy0225
Posts: 7 Member
I’m looking for suggestions on what brand/type of protein bars are the healthiest to eat after a workout. But won’t make me gain weight as I’m currently trying to lose roughly 25lbs the bulk up on muscle. Any help greatly appreciated!
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Replies
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How do you define "healthy"? This will probably help you get better recommendations, as "healthy" can mean almost anything to various people.
Protein bars will only make you gain weight if they lead to you overall consuming more calories than your body is using.7 -
janejellyroll wrote: »How do you define "healthy"? This will probably help you get better recommendations, as "healthy" can mean almost anything to various people.
Protein bars will only make you gain weight if they lead to you overall consuming more calories than your body is using.
All of that ^^5 -
ditto.0
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My initial suggestion would be to compare the grams protein (and any other macros/etc you may tend to come up low on - possibly fiber or fat) to the number of calories in that item, then compare amongst available products and stuff you already eat.0
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I really like Quest protein bars - the flavor is pretty good and they are very high protein (~20 grams) without adding on a lot of extra calories (generally they are 170-200 calories each). The smores flavor is my favorite so far. I'm working on losing a few pounds and have found these helpful as they are both tasty and very filling, enough that they can be used as meal substitutes (i.e., for breakfast on the go).2
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would you consider a powder? often powders contain about half the calories with about the same amount of protein. I make mine with skim milk for added protein, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
This... I definitely prefer powders for post workout protein. I like protein bars as a easy meal replacement when Im lazy and don't want to prepare real food though. I like to compare the amount of protein in the bar to the calories and determine if its worth eating it. My new favorite is grenade carb killa (still has higher carbs than many other bars lol) but it tastes like a chocolate bar. Super yummy0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »How do you define "healthy"? This will probably help you get better recommendations, as "healthy" can mean almost anything to various people.
Protein bars will only make you gain weight if they lead to you overall consuming more calories than your body is using.
Something that is light on fat and calories and high on protein. Basically something that I can eat after my workouts that will benefit me so I can keep loseing weight because I workout in the evening so I don’t want to eat a whole lot then go to bed.
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"light" and "high" are relative terms. Beef jerky might be a good option for you.1
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would you consider a powder? often powders contain about half the calories with about the same amount of protein. I make mine with skim milk for added protein, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
As long as I don’t gain weight from it and it benefits me sure lol as I said before I only have time to workout in the evening so something to eat/drink between my work out and bed is what I need.
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Jeepguy0225 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »How do you define "healthy"? This will probably help you get better recommendations, as "healthy" can mean almost anything to various people.
Protein bars will only make you gain weight if they lead to you overall consuming more calories than your body is using.
Something that is light on fat and calories and high on protein. Basically something that I can eat after my workouts that will benefit me so I can keep loseing weight because I workout in the evening so I don’t want to eat a whole lot then go to bed.
If I wanted something that was low fat, low calorie, and higher in protein, I would probably go with a shake rather than a bar. You can generally keep the calories lower with a protein powder and you can choose what you mix it with to adjust the calories.
Just to clarify though, you will continue to lose weight even if you eat a *lot* before going to bed as long as you're in an overall calorie deficit. Eating before bed is only a problem if it gives you trouble while you're sleeping (like heartburn or discomfort).5 -
Since it is late evening when you workout, about how many calories do you usually have left and how short on protein are you usually?5
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Kirkland brand (Costco) are low in sugar, high in protein. A moderate 190 calories so ok for a light breakfast or big snack.0
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I really like Quest protein bars - the flavor is pretty good and they are very high protein (~20 grams) without adding on a lot of extra calories (generally they are 170-200 calories each). The smores flavor is my favorite so far. I'm working on losing a few pounds and have found these helpful as they are both tasty and very filling, enough that they can be used as meal substitutes (i.e., for breakfast on the go).
The Quest bars I have are 20g protein, 200 calories and 16g of fiber which is listed as 64% of the daily fiber requirements per the label. Fiber = Filling. The do taste good.2 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Jeepguy0225 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »How do you define "healthy"? This will probably help you get better recommendations, as "healthy" can mean almost anything to various people.
Protein bars will only make you gain weight if they lead to you overall consuming more calories than your body is using.
Something that is light on fat and calories and high on protein. Basically something that I can eat after my workouts that will benefit me so I can keep loseing weight because I workout in the evening so I don’t want to eat a whole lot then go to bed.
If I wanted something that was low fat, low calorie, and higher in protein, I would probably go with a shake rather than a bar. You can generally keep the calories lower with a protein powder and you can choose what you mix it with to adjust the calories.
Just to clarify though, you will continue to lose weight even if you eat a *lot* before going to bed as long as you're in an overall calorie deficit. Eating before bed is only a problem if it gives you trouble while you're sleeping (like heartburn or discomfort).
You know your stuff lol, So basically as long as I eat fewer calories then this app tells me too I’ll keep losing fat weight? Just not dangerous less, I’ve had myfitnesspal for almost 2 months and I’ve never went over my set calorie goal.
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If you have set your goal in MFP to lose weight, then you can eat all the way up to the number of calories the app tells you to eat. You don't have to go under that number because the calorie goal already has a deficit built in.3
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If you have set your goal in MFP to lose weight, then you can eat all the way up to the number of calories the app tells you to eat. You don't have to go under that number because the calorie goal already has a deficit built in.
And if you are exercising, log and eat those calories back too. You need to fuel your workouts.
If you are not losing as expected increase or decrease your exercise cals, they are estimates and may need adjusting.
Cheers, h.1 -
I prefer Pure Protein bars.
They provide 20g protein in 180-200 cals and only cost 90 cents/bar (a box of 21 for $19) at Costco compared w/about $2.50/bar or & $30/box of 12 for Quest.0 -
@sgt1372, I get the 'pure protein' bars from Costco too. Have you tried their 'smart for life' bars? They are a bit like rice crispy squares covered in chocolate.
I alternate the 2.
Cheers, h.1 -
Jeepguy0225 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Jeepguy0225 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »How do you define "healthy"? This will probably help you get better recommendations, as "healthy" can mean almost anything to various people.
Protein bars will only make you gain weight if they lead to you overall consuming more calories than your body is using.
Something that is light on fat and calories and high on protein. Basically something that I can eat after my workouts that will benefit me so I can keep loseing weight because I workout in the evening so I don’t want to eat a whole lot then go to bed.
If I wanted something that was low fat, low calorie, and higher in protein, I would probably go with a shake rather than a bar. You can generally keep the calories lower with a protein powder and you can choose what you mix it with to adjust the calories.
Just to clarify though, you will continue to lose weight even if you eat a *lot* before going to bed as long as you're in an overall calorie deficit. Eating before bed is only a problem if it gives you trouble while you're sleeping (like heartburn or discomfort).
You know your stuff lol, So basically as long as I eat fewer calories then this app tells me too I’ll keep losing fat weight? Just not dangerous less, I’ve had myfitnesspal for almost 2 months and I’ve never went over my set calorie goal.
If you set your goal on MFP to lose weight, you don't have to eat under your calorie goal. You just have to meet that goal -- it's designed to put you at a deficit to lose weight.0 -
My evening go-to if I'm trying to get more protein in on minimal calories is usually cottage cheese (which I love).
I tend to buy the lower protein (but still added protein) food bars (generally Clif or Special-K or the Aldi generic) since they are cheaper and have additional fiber (most protein bars are $2+ and have only 1 g fiber) (I normally have 1/2-1 with either greek yogurt or peanut butter which also have a fair bit of protein) for breakfast and post-workout snack.1 -
I’ve been using the Quest bars for the protein to calorie ratio combined with the fiber. Find what works for you. Losing fat while maintaining muscle can take longer, it’s worth it if you can be patient enough.2
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Jeepguy0225 wrote: »I’m looking for suggestions on what brand/type of protein bars are the healthiest to eat after a workout. But won’t make me gain weight as I’m currently trying to lose roughly 25lbs the bulk up on muscle. Any help greatly appreciated!
I like Garden of Life peanut Butter chocolate bars. They are pretty tasty and 200 calories $25 for 12.0 -
Ditto on Quest. Also Fitjoy and Grenade make tasty protein bars for about 200 calories.0
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Another vote for Quest. Of the protein bars I've tried, they have the best taste but are a bit too sweet for my palate (though they have that wood putty texture that seems to be a feature of most protein bars).0
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Jeepguy0225 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Jeepguy0225 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »How do you define "healthy"? This will probably help you get better recommendations, as "healthy" can mean almost anything to various people.
Protein bars will only make you gain weight if they lead to you overall consuming more calories than your body is using.
Something that is light on fat and calories and high on protein. Basically something that I can eat after my workouts that will benefit me so I can keep loseing weight because I workout in the evening so I don’t want to eat a whole lot then go to bed.
If I wanted something that was low fat, low calorie, and higher in protein, I would probably go with a shake rather than a bar. You can generally keep the calories lower with a protein powder and you can choose what you mix it with to adjust the calories.
Just to clarify though, you will continue to lose weight even if you eat a *lot* before going to bed as long as you're in an overall calorie deficit. Eating before bed is only a problem if it gives you trouble while you're sleeping (like heartburn or discomfort).
You know your stuff lol, So basically as long as I eat fewer calories then this app tells me too I’ll keep losing fat weight? Just not dangerous less, I’ve had myfitnesspal for almost 2 months and I’ve never went over my set calorie goal.
If you eat fewer calories than you burn you will lose weight. Some of that weight will be fat and some will be muscle. Lift weights to help maintain the muscle.
Best of luck.0 -
“Healthy” - take your pick of the protein bars.
Light - eat half. I pre-slice and repackage in ziplocks so I am not tempted to overeat.
Or you can go the direct route and get pure protein powder like whey protein isolate, PB2, or brown rice protein (I have all three in my cupboard.) Try a mix with a little cocoa powder and some Splenda in milk.0 -
Tried both Pure and Kirkland in the last days.
Kirkland wins hand down.0
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