Protein Bars
jadu1536
Posts: 114 Member
So I've recently signed up with a nutrition specialist with the goal of losing 10 lbs and becoming more lean. My calorie goal is between 1300-1450 and I was at around 1600-1700. I am using our community board as a way to think through things. I find it so funny that protein bars are around 200 calories but have like 1/2 the protein that a protein shake would provide. For those who are watching calories/macros - do you have a hard time with drinking a shake in place of eating a protein bar? I usually have a protein bar around 4 pm (having had lunch at 12) and I am trying to make the switch of having a protein shake instead.
I had a protein bar today and was thinking it was almost 100 more calories, half the protein, and way more in fat then the shake...
I had a protein bar today and was thinking it was almost 100 more calories, half the protein, and way more in fat then the shake...
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Replies
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I've never had a protein bar in my life. My preference is just to consume my protein through whole foods...I eat a lot of fish and chicken and some lean cuts of pork and beef. If/when I supplement I have a shake or I get whey protein in a smoothie at the gym.5
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As far as I'm concerned, while protein bars do make for convenient snacks, they are just candy bars in gym clothes
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cwolfman13 wrote: »I've never had a protein bar in my life. My preference is just to consume my protein through whole foods...I eat a lot of fish and chicken and some lean cuts of pork and beef. If/when I supplement I have a shake or I get whey protein in a smoothie at the gym.
I am thinking I am going to have to give up the protein bars - 100 calories out of 1300 is a lot
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If I eat a protein bar, it's as a yummy snack that also has some extra protein in it as a bonus.
If I'm just having one of those days where my protein will be super low, I'll drink a shake, but it doesn't fill me up at all.
In a perfect world, I just get enough protein from food.11 -
I view protein bars differently than a shake.. they are not liquid, they have different convenience factors, some may have high fibre content, they can be more filling, they can be a higher source of energy etc.13
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I’ll eat a protein bar (gomacro) if I’m not able to get away for real food or not able to make a protein smoothie.1
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Sometimes I will eat a mini Luna bar in the afternoon simply because they taste good and do have protein. I'm really picky about how I make my shakes and it would be too difficult to do at work so I'll grab a bar instead.
*Edited to note that I don't eat protein bars that often but I DO have a protein shake almost every morning.0 -
I don’t find liquid filling or satiating at all so I’m never going to choose a shake no matter what it has in it (because I’ll still be just as hungry after).
I do sometimes eat “protein” bars as a snack or to up carbs and calories before a race (the ones I eat have normal sugar). The protein content helps stabilize that a little for me.
Outside that-I get protein from my regular food. As it is, my normal intake is around 1600 calories a day and I would struggle with hunger if I devoted 200+ calories to a shake or a snack bar.
But I guess if I found a shake satiating in some way, maybe it would be more doable.3 -
Well you have to put a lot more yummy goodness to make the protein taste good in a bar than in a shake. That's where all the extra stuff comes from. But it depends on the bar. Some are more protein heavy than others. Some can push close to 50% of total cals from protein. I don't think they are just candy bars with some protein in them.
To me they serve a different purpose than a shake. I see them more as a (small) meal replacement than a protein shake. In that case, having some carbs and fat is a good thing. There is a special K protein bar that I like that I'll have sometimes for a light breakfast or mid afternoon meal. It's macros are about 45-30-25 which hit my personal macros almost exactly. And it's never going to be a main meal, but it fits right for when I want something small.
Ultimately like most of the others, I predominately get my protein from food. I will have a bar sometimes for the reasons mentioned above, and on a rare ocassions, a shake. But I get plenty normally from my diet.2 -
I eat a protein bar as a meal, and with 20g of protein and 200 calories, it keeps me full for several hours.2
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I eat home made protein bars on days when I need my *dessert* to have at least 15g of protein. I also keep a couple in my office at work for days where I forget my lunch or accidentally grab a kale salad instead of a chicken broccoli salad (that was two days ago) and have to compensate to cover my macros on the fly. I also have whey protein all over for protein shakes, but especially in the winter time, I find the protein shakes too cold to be enjoyable when I can barely feel my fingers and toes as it is. A protein bar and a cup of hot tea is much more soothing in cold weather.2
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cwolfman13 wrote: »I've never had a protein bar in my life. My preference is just to consume my protein through whole foods...I eat a lot of fish and chicken and some lean cuts of pork and beef. If/when I supplement I have a shake or I get whey protein in a smoothie at the gym.
I am thinking I am going to have to give up the protein bars - 100 calories out of 1300 is a lot
How quickly are you trying to lose that 10 pounds? If you slow your rate of loss, you will get more calories.
Also, if you exercise you will get more calories. Do you and your nutrition specialist understand how MFP works in terms of exercise calories?
Unlike other sites which use TDEE calculators, MFP uses the NEAT method (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis), and as such this system is designed for exercise calories to be eaten back. However, many consider the burns given by MFP to be inflated for them and only eat a percentage, such as 50%, back. Others, however, are able to lose weight while eating 100% of their exercise calories.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/818082/exercise-calories-again-wtf/p13 -
I prefer to not drink my calories, I drink mostly water and black coffee.
I really like Built Bars. Good sized, 110 calories per bar, 15 grams of protein, dark chocolate covered, chewy, a lot of different flavors. I’ve been hitting my protein goals every day since I started buying these.4 -
I used to live on protein bars, but I wasn't eating enough protein, so I had to supplement daily. Now, I only supplement on days that I lift with a protein shake. I like to have a warm chocolate cookie with it, so it's like I'm having milk and cookies for a bedtime snack, which is fun for me.
I use the Fairlife Protein Shakes b/c they're 26g or 42g of protein for 170 or 240 calories. Compared to the Zone Perfect bars I used to love which were 12g or 14g of protein for 190 or 220 calories. The shakes just make much more sense.
On days that I don't lift, I aim for the lower end of my protein needs, so I don't need the protein shake. On days that I lift, I aim to reach the high end of my protein needs. I normally end up getting somewhere in the middle of the range that I need.0 -
I never ate them until recently. I took a box on a trip for “emergency” nutrition, liked
them- a lot- and started eating them daily for a couple of weeks.
I also noticed I was swollen and bloated but chalked that up to the international flight. I was a little puzzled why it was hanging on so doggedly, but figured it would eventually go away.
It was my dietician who put two and two together after I mentioned adding the bars to my daily diary and then later mentioned my clothes getting tight and being irregular. She said some people don’t handle the sugar alcohols well, and may not digest the proteins used in them well, either. She suggested taking them out.
I stopped eating them, and two or three days later the bloating was all gone and everything started moving. It was a drastic difference in waistline.
But boy, I was in love with those chocolate peanut butter bars. It just about killed me to take all the open boxes to the gym and leave them on the counter.
I figure I was probably on a path back to candy bars with those things, though, so they are well out of the house. Too sweet and too tempting.6 -
springlering62 wrote: »I never ate them until recently. I took a box on a trip for “emergency” nutrition, liked
them- a lot- and started eating them daily for a couple of weeks.
I also noticed I was swollen and bloated but chalked that up to the international flight. I was a little puzzled why it was hanging on so doggedly, but figured it would eventually go away.
It was my dietician who put two and two together after I mentioned adding the bars to my daily diary and then later mentioned my clothes getting tight and being irregular. She said some people don’t handle the sugar alcohols well, and may not digest the proteins used in them well, either. She suggested taking them out.
I stopped eating them, and two or three days later the bloating was all gone and everything started moving. It was a drastic difference in waistline.
But boy, I was in love with those chocolate peanut butter bars. It just about killed me to take all the open boxes to the gym and leave them on the counter.
I figure I was probably on a path back to candy bars with those things, though, so they are well out of the house. Too sweet and too tempting.
Same experience here. A few years ago when Quest bars were all the rage, I tried them out and they stopped me up like nothing else. Interestingly, I tried some One bars a couple weeks ago and they didn't cause me any issues.1 -
To answer the OP, I don't think protein bars serve the same purpose as a shake, to me. I like bars because they fill me up and it's a (somewhat) yummy snack to have in the middle of the afternoon. It's like having a candy bar, that isn't as tasty, but fills me up and has some protein.
A shake I would drink because I just need more protein and don't want to spare too many calories. It helps curb my hunger a little but nothing like a bar would.3 -
springlering62 wrote: »I never ate them until recently. I took a box on a trip for “emergency” nutrition, liked
them- a lot- and started eating them daily for a couple of weeks.
I also noticed I was swollen and bloated but chalked that up to the international flight. I was a little puzzled why it was hanging on so doggedly, but figured it would eventually go away.
It was my dietician who put two and two together after I mentioned adding the bars to my daily diary and then later mentioned my clothes getting tight and being irregular. She said some people don’t handle the sugar alcohols well, and may not digest the proteins used in them well, either. She suggested taking them out.
I stopped eating them, and two or three days later the bloating was all gone and everything started moving. It was a drastic difference in waistline.
But boy, I was in love with those chocolate peanut butter bars. It just about killed me to take all the open boxes to the gym and leave them on the counter.
I figure I was probably on a path back to candy bars with those things, though, so they are well out of the house. Too sweet and too tempting.
Same experience here. A few years ago when Quest bars were all the rage, I tried them out and they stopped me up like nothing else. Interestingly, I tried some One bars a couple weeks ago and they didn't cause me any issues.
These are the reasons that when I have protein bars, I have ones that have real sugar in them. The calorie count/protein gram is high (relative to the bars made with sugar alcohols) but no stomach issues.
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Duck_Puddle wrote: »springlering62 wrote: »I never ate them until recently. I took a box on a trip for “emergency” nutrition, liked
them- a lot- and started eating them daily for a couple of weeks.
I also noticed I was swollen and bloated but chalked that up to the international flight. I was a little puzzled why it was hanging on so doggedly, but figured it would eventually go away.
It was my dietician who put two and two together after I mentioned adding the bars to my daily diary and then later mentioned my clothes getting tight and being irregular. She said some people don’t handle the sugar alcohols well, and may not digest the proteins used in them well, either. She suggested taking them out.
I stopped eating them, and two or three days later the bloating was all gone and everything started moving. It was a drastic difference in waistline.
But boy, I was in love with those chocolate peanut butter bars. It just about killed me to take all the open boxes to the gym and leave them on the counter.
I figure I was probably on a path back to candy bars with those things, though, so they are well out of the house. Too sweet and too tempting.
Same experience here. A few years ago when Quest bars were all the rage, I tried them out and they stopped me up like nothing else. Interestingly, I tried some One bars a couple weeks ago and they didn't cause me any issues.
These are the reasons that when I have protein bars, I have ones that have real sugar in them. The calorie count/protein gram is high (relative to the bars made with sugar alcohols) but no stomach issues.
I agree. I buy the Clif Builders bars. 20g protein, but almost 300 calories. No sugar alcohol and no stevia (which doesn't agree with me either). I eat then usually in situations where I can't easily get a meal. 300 calories isn't bad for a meal replacement.
I use shakes occasionally as an afternoon snack (150 calories with cashew milk) when I need more protein.0 -
Thanks for the input everyone!0
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Protein bars are okay in a pinch if you're not diabetic. Most of them are loaded with sugar.2
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springlering62 wrote: »I never ate them until recently. I took a box on a trip for “emergency” nutrition, liked
them- a lot- and started eating them daily for a couple of weeks.
I also noticed I was swollen and bloated but chalked that up to the international flight. I was a little puzzled why it was hanging on so doggedly, but figured it would eventually go away.
It was my dietician who put two and two together after I mentioned adding the bars to my daily diary and then later mentioned my clothes getting tight and being irregular. She said some people don’t handle the sugar alcohols well, and may not digest the proteins used in them well, either. She suggested taking them out.
I stopped eating them, and two or three days later the bloating was all gone and everything started moving. It was a drastic difference in waistline.
But boy, I was in love with those chocolate peanut butter bars. It just about killed me to take all the open boxes to the gym and leave them on the counter.
I figure I was probably on a path back to candy bars with those things, though, so they are well out of the house. Too sweet and too tempting.
Yes, I would personally never have a Snickers bar every day, but thought nothing of having a chocolate peanut butter protein bar or two per day, because protein. For some time, I ignored the fact that these just didn't fit in my calorie budget, Finally, I got a grip and now limit myself to one small box during my TOM.1 -
just_Tomek wrote: »Treat a protein bar like a snickers bar, with benefits. Nothing else.
I had these when I visited London. The only place I found them in the US was on Amazon but they were super expensive -
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I stash protein bars at work for a treat when the office gets treats (usually donuts) brought in. That way I can partake with the social aspect and still get my own treat with them. I log everything.I agree that it's like a candy bar with benefits.1
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springlering62 wrote: »I never ate them until recently. I took a box on a trip for “emergency” nutrition, liked
them- a lot- and started eating them daily for a couple of weeks.
I also noticed I was swollen and bloated but chalked that up to the international flight. I was a little puzzled why it was hanging on so doggedly, but figured it would eventually go away.
It was my dietician who put two and two together after I mentioned adding the bars to my daily diary and then later mentioned my clothes getting tight and being irregular. She said some people don’t handle the sugar alcohols well, and may not digest the proteins used in them well, either. She suggested taking them out.
I stopped eating them, and two or three days later the bloating was all gone and everything started moving. It was a drastic difference in waistline.
But boy, I was in love with those chocolate peanut butter bars. It just about killed me to take all the open boxes to the gym and leave them on the counter.
I figure I was probably on a path back to candy bars with those things, though, so they are well out of the house. Too sweet and too tempting.
VERY interesting! I notice bloating too.0 -
To answer the OP, I don't think protein bars serve the same purpose as a shake, to me. I like bars because they fill me up and it's a (somewhat) yummy snack to have in the middle of the afternoon. It's like having a candy bar, that isn't as tasty, but fills me up and has some protein.
A shake I would drink because I just need more protein and don't want to spare too many calories. It helps curb my hunger a little but nothing like a bar would.
Same. I basically have them occasionally in the afternoon when I used to have a candy bar, and now instead can have something that is more filling, slightly less sugar, and slightly more protein. I never use them as a meal replacement or anything like that. Basically just an extra snack if I want something chocolate.0 -
just_Tomek wrote: »Treat a protein bar like a snickers bar, with benefits. Nothing else.
I had these when I visited London. The only place I found them in the US was on Amazon but they were super expensive -
Have you checked the quality of protein they use? When I had tried it, a UK version bought in Canada, most of the protein was from collagen (= low quality protein). HOWEVER, I notice that the US version ingredient list currently on Amazon doesn't list collagen. So there may exist regional differences.0
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