Protein bar trickery
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MoiAussi93 wrote: »magnusthenerd wrote: »MoiAussi93 wrote: »There is no magic to protein bars, and many are loaded with sugar. If you want to avoid sugar and have a healthy snack, try almonds. You can bring them anywhere, and they taste good and are good for you.
Another suggestion is plain greek yogurt...lots of protein, no added sugar. You can mix in some natural peanut butter or berries if you prefer flavor.
If the idea is to get in protein, I don't see almonds working out very well. To get 20 grams of protein like a lot of protein bars, it will take roughly 95 grams, with 547 calories. Even a Luna Bar (which isn't really a protein bar) is going to get more protein per calorie at 2.5 bars to get 2 grams for 500 calories.
He didn't say the main goal was to get more protein. He said the idea was to eat healthy and, specifically, to find a snack that was compatible with that goal. He also expressed an interest in avoiding high amounts of sugar. A serving of almonds has 164 calories and 6 grams of protein...not bad at all for a snack. They meet both of his stated criteria, and are useful in supplementing protein.
The Luna bars you mention don't have much more protein than a single serving of almonds...looks like several listed in the mfp database only have 8-10 grams and are close to 200 (several seem to be 180) calories. At least almonds don't have all the sugar!
She said "I really need help finding protein bars that taste like actual food and are good for the body. " So tell me again how an almond is a kind of protein bar since you're going to tell me what the goal was? I think it is pretty fair to interpret the request for protein bars as looking to fit a protein goal. Getting in 6 grams of plant based protein isn't going to be that great for 164 calories. Depending on if the protein is for satiety, the almond is fine, but if it is based around a muscle building or preserving goal, plants based sources are going to pack less punch for their grams.
As for the 8-10 grams for close to 200, I'm aware. Notice I said to get 20 grams, you'd be at 500 calories from Luna bars? I actually used one of the worse protein to calories ones. I'm not going to dispute the sugar levels, and with Luna already meeting newer label guidelines, it looks like 7 out of 8 grams is just added sugar, so probably not great. I fail to see the relevance to what I said as I wasn't making a claim on their sugar content.6 -
magnusthenerd wrote: »She said "I really need help finding protein bars that taste like actual food and are good for the body. " So tell me again how an almond is a kind of protein bar since you're going to tell me what the goal was.
Beat me to it!
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dulcitonia wrote: »Rx bars don’t have any crazy unpronounceable junk in them
Just because a person can't pronounce an ingedient doesn't mean it's "junk". It means the person can't pronounce a word.29 -
OP, depends on why you decided to add protein bars to your diet. Do you think you need more protein?
Are you seeking an alternative to candy bars that feels more healthy to you? Do you want a snack that provides some nutrients? Something else?
I don't care for protein bars. Used to eat them occasionally and then just stopped liking any of them (and the ones I ate before I found just so so). Mainly I ate them as a quick breakfast or lunch on the go, as I travel a lot and you can generally find them in airports.
If your goal is more protein, consider something like greek yogurt or cottage cheese or perhaps a hard boiled egg (although that will have less protein). If just a healthy/filling snack, there are tons of options -- veg, fruit, nuts are all easy enough to carry around. (Protein bars have the benefit of being portable.)0 -
I've made some of my own protein balls in the past - protein powder, oats, powdered peanut butter w/ a little water, and almond butter. I divide them up into an appropriate portion size for me based on typically calories available.0
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Have you tried Quest bars? No protein bar is going to taste like “regular food,” they are all highly processed. Maybe eat something else for snacks that actually is real food?
I LOVE Quest bars. I have one nearly every day as part of my lunch. The ones I eat have 20 g of protein. Some people like to soften them in the microwave, but I like them just they way they are in the package. I bought lots of individual bars in various flavors at the grocery store. Now I subscribe to my favorite flavors on Amazon.1 -
neugebauer52 wrote: »Whenever I see those "healthy" ads I try to imagine if those products grow on trees or on soil in some way. If not, I am not interested.
This is relevant if you define "healthy" to mean "vegan." Otherwise, there are many things people may consider "healthy" that don't come directly from plants.6 -
I make my own. i make a batch of like 16 at a time. the only "issue" is they are not shelf stable (there may be some that are, the ones i like making are not). this way i have full control of ingredients and can adjust to the taste to my liking.0
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magnusthenerd wrote: »MoiAussi93 wrote: »magnusthenerd wrote: »MoiAussi93 wrote: »There is no magic to protein bars, and many are loaded with sugar. If you want to avoid sugar and have a healthy snack, try almonds. You can bring them anywhere, and they taste good and are good for you.
Another suggestion is plain greek yogurt...lots of protein, no added sugar. You can mix in some natural peanut butter or berries if you prefer flavor.
If the idea is to get in protein, I don't see almonds working out very well. To get 20 grams of protein like a lot of protein bars, it will take roughly 95 grams, with 547 calories. Even a Luna Bar (which isn't really a protein bar) is going to get more protein per calorie at 2.5 bars to get 2 grams for 500 calories.
He didn't say the main goal was to get more protein. He said the idea was to eat healthy and, specifically, to find a snack that was compatible with that goal. He also expressed an interest in avoiding high amounts of sugar. A serving of almonds has 164 calories and 6 grams of protein...not bad at all for a snack. They meet both of his stated criteria, and are useful in supplementing protein.
The Luna bars you mention don't have much more protein than a single serving of almonds...looks like several listed in the mfp database only have 8-10 grams and are close to 200 (several seem to be 180) calories. At least almonds don't have all the sugar!
She said "I really need help finding protein bars that taste like actual food and are good for the body. " So tell me again how an almond is a kind of protein bar since you're going to tell me what the goal was? I think it is pretty fair to interpret the request for protein bars as looking to fit a protein goal. Getting in 6 grams of plant based protein isn't going to be that great for 164 calories. Depending on if the protein is for satiety, the almond is fine, but if it is based around a muscle building or preserving goal, plants based sources are going to pack less punch for their grams.
As for the 8-10 grams for close to 200, I'm aware. Notice I said to get 20 grams, you'd be at 500 calories from Luna bars? I actually used one of the worse protein to calories ones. I'm not going to dispute the sugar levels, and with Luna already meeting newer label guidelines, it looks like 7 out of 8 grams is just added sugar, so probably not great. I fail to see the relevance to what I said as I wasn't making a claim on their sugar content.
I'm not sure why you are being hostile about this. Relax, everybody here is just trying to add in anything that might be helpful.
She started off by saying she was trying to eat more healthy (not defined, so we are free to interpret that the way we think most likely) and decided to eat protein bars for snacks. You may assume the only goal is to maximize protein. You made all kinds of assumptions about her primary goal being muscle building or preserving that I didn't make. I viewed it simply as OP thinking that protein bars are an especially healthy snack idea and not liking the taste...or sugar content...of any she has tried.. So I gave options that, in my view, taste good, are healthy (my definition) and certainly have less sugar...which she clearly stated was a goal. That's it...she can take or leave my suggestions. I don't get paid if she eats an almond as a result of my post, so I'm good either way!!!
As to the SHE you bolded, I saw no picture and didn't know OPs gender. Frankly, since I don't use this as a dating site and gender is irrelevant to her question, I did not see the need to investigate gender before replying and usually go with a default "he". I am sorry if you are offended by this...but it seems silly to me.8 -
I love Built bars. They are best refrigerated or frozen, but they taste like a candy bar.0
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Edit: Looking through the replies I see that I wasn’t very clear. I travel ALOT I’m rarely home and for meals I would just get junk food. I’m trying to combat that in different ways. I figured protein bars would be a good substitute to a small meal/snack.
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MoiAussi93 wrote: »magnusthenerd wrote: »MoiAussi93 wrote: »There is no magic to protein bars, and many are loaded with sugar. If you want to avoid sugar and have a healthy snack, try almonds. You can bring them anywhere, and they taste good and are good for you.
Another suggestion is plain greek yogurt...lots of protein, no added sugar. You can mix in some natural peanut butter or berries if you prefer flavor.
If the idea is to get in protein, I don't see almonds working out very well. To get 20 grams of protein like a lot of protein bars, it will take roughly 95 grams, with 547 calories. Even a Luna Bar (which isn't really a protein bar) is going to get more protein per calorie at 2.5 bars to get 2 grams for 500 calories.
He didn't say the main goal was to get more protein. He said the idea was to eat healthy and, specifically, to find a snack that was compatible with that goal. He also expressed an interest in avoiding high amounts of sugar. A serving of almonds has 164 calories and 6 grams of protein...not bad at all for a snack. They meet both of his stated criteria, and are useful in supplementing protein.
The Luna bars you mention don't have much more protein than a single serving of almonds...looks like several listed in the mfp database only have 8-10 grams and are close to 200 (several seem to be 180) calories. At least almonds don't have all the sugar!
Even if that's what the OP said (it isn't), "healthy" is very subjective.3 -
RainbowLemon wrote: »Edit: Looking through the replies I see that I wasn’t very clear. I travel ALOT I’m rarely home and for meals I would just get junk food. I’m trying to combat that in different ways. I figured protein bars would be a good substitute to a small meal/snack.
Honestly in terms of bars, I like (and find satiating as a snack) some flavors of RXBars, clif bars, and perfect bars (though those are best refrigerated). I also like kind bars and I used to love Luna bars (I haven't had one in years - I'm sure there are flavors I still like). Unless you have a reason to limit the amount of sugar you're consuming, there isn't a need to avoid any of those due to sugar content. My main "eh do I really want to buy this?" in relation to bars has more to do with cost than anything.2 -
RainbowLemon wrote: »Edit: Looking through the replies I see that I wasn’t very clear. I travel ALOT I’m rarely home and for meals I would just get junk food. I’m trying to combat that in different ways. I figured protein bars would be a good substitute to a small meal/snack.
If you are looking specifically for portable higher protein snacks that aren't protein bars and that are easy to find, try:
jerky/meat sticks (or meatless versions, which are harder to find)
nuts
individually wrapped cheeses (string cheese, Laughing Cow, Babybel, etc.)
individual packets of nut butter
hardboiled eggs
individual containers of tuna
Greek yogurt cups (I like to mix it with protein powder and PB2)
prepackaged protein shakes (may fit your tastes better than bars)
individual bottles of milk6 -
MoiAussi93 wrote: »magnusthenerd wrote: »MoiAussi93 wrote: »There is no magic to protein bars, and many are loaded with sugar. If you want to avoid sugar and have a healthy snack, try almonds. You can bring them anywhere, and they taste good and are good for you.
Another suggestion is plain greek yogurt...lots of protein, no added sugar. You can mix in some natural peanut butter or berries if you prefer flavor.
If the idea is to get in protein, I don't see almonds working out very well. To get 20 grams of protein like a lot of protein bars, it will take roughly 95 grams, with 547 calories. Even a Luna Bar (which isn't really a protein bar) is going to get more protein per calorie at 2.5 bars to get 2 grams for 500 calories.
He didn't say the main goal was to get more protein. He said the idea was to eat healthy and, specifically, to find a snack that was compatible with that goal. He also expressed an interest in avoiding high amounts of sugar. A serving of almonds has 164 calories and 6 grams of protein...not bad at all for a snack. They meet both of his stated criteria, and are useful in supplementing protein.
The Luna bars you mention don't have much more protein than a single serving of almonds...looks like several listed in the mfp database only have 8-10 grams and are close to 200 (several seem to be 180) calories. At least almonds don't have all the sugar!
Even if that's what the OP said (it isn't), "healthy" is very subjective.
Yes, it is subjective. And I pointed that out. So what is your point exactly?2 -
Better macros than a candy bar.
And storable wherever for when you need food on a ride or after a run and have to be on the way to somewhere else.
I usually go with balance bars (<$1, about 200 calories, enough protein to count as a protein bar) (definitely sweet so probably a lot of sugar, but I don't care). Also Luna and Clif food bars (less protein than protein bars, but still serve the purpose of getting me fed while on the go between running and dancing or in the car on the way to the gym). Yep, sweet.
I personally don't know of any that aren't sweetened, whether with sugar /sugary ingredients or artificial sweetener (they would probably taste pretty bad IMO). You might have preferable options to food/protein bars if non-perishability isn't a requirement depending on your reason for eating the Luna bars.1 -
MoiAussi93 wrote: »MoiAussi93 wrote: »magnusthenerd wrote: »MoiAussi93 wrote: »There is no magic to protein bars, and many are loaded with sugar. If you want to avoid sugar and have a healthy snack, try almonds. You can bring them anywhere, and they taste good and are good for you.
Another suggestion is plain greek yogurt...lots of protein, no added sugar. You can mix in some natural peanut butter or berries if you prefer flavor.
If the idea is to get in protein, I don't see almonds working out very well. To get 20 grams of protein like a lot of protein bars, it will take roughly 95 grams, with 547 calories. Even a Luna Bar (which isn't really a protein bar) is going to get more protein per calorie at 2.5 bars to get 2 grams for 500 calories.
He didn't say the main goal was to get more protein. He said the idea was to eat healthy and, specifically, to find a snack that was compatible with that goal. He also expressed an interest in avoiding high amounts of sugar. A serving of almonds has 164 calories and 6 grams of protein...not bad at all for a snack. They meet both of his stated criteria, and are useful in supplementing protein.
The Luna bars you mention don't have much more protein than a single serving of almonds...looks like several listed in the mfp database only have 8-10 grams and are close to 200 (several seem to be 180) calories. At least almonds don't have all the sugar!
Even if that's what the OP said (it isn't), "healthy" is very subjective.
Yes, it is subjective. And I pointed that out. So what is your point exactly?
I'm not seeing where you pointed that out actually. So to repeat, my points were that a. "eating healthy" was not mentioned in the first post and b. "healthy" is subjective. A sub point is that c. sugar isn't automatically unhealthy. If you need to avoid it due to a medical condition then ok, but that hasn't been indicated by the OP.0 -
RainbowLemon wrote: »Edit: Looking through the replies I see that I wasn’t very clear. I travel ALOT I’m rarely home and for meals I would just get junk food. I’m trying to combat that in different ways. I figured protein bars would be a good substitute to a small meal/snack.
I wouldn't fret over the sugar if you are meeting recommended fat and protein and aren't getting hungry again shortly after. Peanut butter stores well. I usually have a small supply of bars and single peanut butter tubs with me when out or traveling. Along with yogurt singles for multi - day trips if it won't be anywhere too hot for too long.2 -
Single-cheeses, cottage cheese, yogurt, TV dinners, quick oats/other cereal and milk can be gotten at most quickie-marts, and they'll often have a microwave available.1
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