Protein Bars

antihillmoby
antihillmoby Posts: 131 Member
edited November 11 in Food and Nutrition
I sometimes use the Sculptress Bars for a snack within my calorie count. Does anyone else have these and are they worth including in a healthy diet?

Replies

  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    This question is very subject to personal preference.

    Physiologically speaking, if you're accounting for the intake and the protein bar helps you to reach your daily totals of calories and macronutrients, then it's fine to continue eating them.

    I checked the info and most of the bars end around 200kcal and 20g/pro. In term of "bang for the buck" this is "decent", but a good protein shake would give you more grams of protein at a lower kcal cost.


    Ultimately, I would ask yourself this important question:

    "If I got rid of the protein bars, what would I replace them with that provides me roughly 200 kcal and 20g pro, and would I enjoy that item more than the protein bar?"

    I think that's what you should ask yourself.
  • snookumss
    snookumss Posts: 1,451 Member
    This question is very subject to personal preference.

    Physiologically speaking, if you're accounting for the intake and the protein bar helps you to reach your daily totals of calories and macronutrients, then it's fine to continue eating them.

    I checked the info and most of the bars end around 200kcal and 20g/pro. In term of "bang for the buck" this is "decent", but a good protein shake would give you more grams of protein at a lower kcal cost.


    Ultimately, I would ask yourself this important question:

    "If I got rid of the protein bars, what would I replace them with that provides me roughly 200 kcal and 20g pro, and would I enjoy that item more than the protein bar?"

    I think that's what you should ask yourself.

    ^^^^ I loved your answer! The last part had me smiling, because seriously thats really the only thing worth considering!
  • usc2626
    usc2626 Posts: 186
    I make my own protein bars, pretty tasty too :).
  • antihillmoby
    antihillmoby Posts: 131 Member
    Blooming good advice - will try the shakes!
  • antihillmoby
    antihillmoby Posts: 131 Member
    Could I have the recipe? !!!!
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Blooming good advice - will try the shakes!

    Check out Optimum Nutrition brand for one example. It's not very expensive relative other brands and it comes in at 120 to 130 calories and 23-24g pro for most flavors, if I recall correctly.
  • withervein
    withervein Posts: 224 Member
    I tend to have a protein bar as a mid-morning snack. I tend to have to sprint out of the house in the mornings with a small breakfast and a coffee, having a high-protein bar midmorning keeps me full until my 1 p.m. lunch and it helps me reach my protein goals.

    I tend toward Premier 30g Protein bars. They look really generic, but they aren't so bad taste-wise and for 30g of protein, they only have 280 calories. I can't eat them right before a workout though because they are kinda heavy, if you know what I mean. I just feel overfull and sluggish after I eat one.

    Last night I didn't get a late afternoon snack before my kickboxing class, so I stopped into a little nutrition shop on my way and asked them to point to something that would keep the hunger pangs off, but not make me feel like puking 20 minutes in and I got this nice little wafer-style protein/energy bar. It was called Power Crunch 13 grams of protein and 200 calories but super light. Also, it came in non-chocolate/peanut butter flavors which get kinda old after a while.
  • antihillmoby
    antihillmoby Posts: 131 Member
    Thank for the advice - will give them a look.
  • antihillmoby
    antihillmoby Posts: 131 Member
    Thank you so much for the advice.
  • Embell0830
    Embell0830 Posts: 105
    I used Designer Whey Protein for shakes because it's very low in sugar. The chocolate flavor is decent I add strawberries or banana. Sometimes I opt out the fruit and add a shot of espresso. I also use unsweetened coconut milk because there is no sugar in it. Coconut milk does have fat in it, but I rarely go over my fat. I'm always going over my sugar even if I don't count the sugar from the fruit I eat (it amazes me how many things have sugar it in)
  • Wampiress
    Wampiress Posts: 22
    I dont think its good for woman in general...its too caloric, too many fat in it...and guess why they dont reccomend to use it by pregnant mums and children? isnt it weird?:-)
  • Brilliantbritt27
    Brilliantbritt27 Posts: 66
    Ive been drinking a Special K protein shake (milk chocolate) each morning paired with either a granola or some fruit. It has 190calories, 10protein, and 5 fiber. So its an overall benefit and great way to start my morning.
  • Wampiress
    Wampiress Posts: 22
    Ive been drinking a Special K protein shake (milk chocolate) each morning paired with either a granola or some fruit. It has 190calories, 10protein, and 5 fiber. So its an overall benefit and great way to start my morning.

    shakes are fine...protein bars are caloric...
  • Kmilky
    Kmilky Posts: 8 Member
    Would you share the recipe?
  • spazwgeo
    spazwgeo Posts: 70 Member
    I would also say it's a personal choice. I really like to eat protein bars. They fill me up much better than other snacky foods. Plus they help me make my protein goals! I eat Luna and Zone brands. Love them! :)
  • lexagon
    lexagon Posts: 495 Member
    I love my quest bars, 150-170 cals for most of the bars, 20g protein. Excellent taste.

    I use them sparingly as I can normally get my levels up without them, but sometimes you just want a little "treat". Protein shakes are a good way to go as well. Myofusion makes a pretty tasty protein.
  • frugalmomsrock
    frugalmomsrock Posts: 1,123
    I love me some dark chocolate protein bars (Zone Perfect). I get a treat that is much better than eating a candy bar (as far as nutrients go). It helps me out when I have a snack attack to be able to grab one of those as opposed to eating pure garbage (which is what I typically do when I have a snack attack--I *KNOW* I should grab the apple instead, but come on. I didn't get fat by eating apples every time I wanted a snack. No no no. I got fat by grabbing the chocolate/ice cream/junk).

    When I want a milkshake, I opt for one of these: http://www.dashingdish.com/2010/03/i-cant-believe-its-not-a-milkshake/

    Much healthier... even if they aren't "healthy." Let's face it... if this is going to be a lifestyle change, we're GOING to eat treats. They may as well be versions that are more healthy...
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