Nutrition bars are filled with nutrients, protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, sugar and fat. They are individually wrapped, and it may be tempting to use nutrition bars as convenient snacks or as fuel just before exercise. While this may be a good use for the bars, be careful -- not all the bars offer the same nutrients, and some of them may not be much better nutritionally than candy bars.
Your body needs energy to fuel activity, and the energy that it uses comes in the form of calories. Nutrition bars provide calories, but little else. Some bars provide excessive carbohydrates, protein and fat, but for the most part, these nutrients mostly contribute fuel.
Rather than spending money on costly bars, focus on eating well-balanced meals, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly for energy.
Eat fruit, yogurt or nuts as a light snack to fuel your exercise.
One of the rules to remember is Sugar Content when looking at the label. TIP: Anything under 9 grams per bar IS the smart choice ! Sugar content over that is bordering on high levels.
As I mentioned the other day, Clif Bars are well marketed. The owner began making batches in his kitchen with his mother as taste tester in California. But unless you use them sparingly....you are taking in alot of calories and SUGAR.
Clif Bar
There are a variety of Clif bars available, and they vary according to your needs. Clif Bar varieties include the natural original bar, kids Z Bar, Mojo, Builder's, Crunch, Simple and Delicious and Sweet and Salty. The original Clif Bar is made from 70 percent organic ingredients, and the bars' ingredients include brown rice syrup, a protein blend, oats, flour, dried fruit, oil, salt and natural colors. One bar usually provides 200 to 250 calories, about 10 g protein and 20 g sugar.
Luna Bar
Luna bars are designed for female athletes (yes, athletes!) and source their protein from soy. The main ingredients of the bars include brown rice syrup, evaporated cane juice, oat flour, oats, soy lecithin, soy beans, whole grains, and vitamin and mineral supplements. There are approximately 20 flavor varieties for the original Luna Bar, and there are also mini bars and protein bars that increase the amount of protein to 20 grams. Smaller bar for sure and better as far as Sugar content as One original bar averages 180 calories, 13 g sugar and 9 g protein.
Kashi Bars
These are one of my favorite Go-To Bars around 3 p.m. or pre-workout....With rich, creamy peanut butter, roasted peanuts and a touch of wildflower honey, the Kashi TLC Peanut Peanut Butter granola bars have 4g of Fiber and 7g of Protein. AND under 9 grms of Sugar !!!! Most Kashi Bars come in under the Sugar allowance ! Here's how to determine what you need in a bar.
Calories:
Energy bars range in calories from about 100 to 300. If you are not using them as a meal replacement, they can sabotage your best efforts at losing weight if you don't read labels carefully. (Kashi Go Lean's cereal slimming system bars, for example, contain 280 calories and 5 grams of fat; Met-Rx bars have 320 calories). If you're having these bars as a snack, choose one on the lower range of the calorie spectrum. PowerBar Pria is an example of one that tastes great, and at only 110 calories, it won't make a big dent into your daily food budget.
Energy bars range in calories from about 100 to 300. If you are not using them as a meal replacement, they can sabotage your best efforts at losing weight if you don't read labels carefully. (Kashi Go Lean's cereal slimming system bars, for example, contain 280 calories and 5 grams of fat; Met-Rx bars have 320 calories). If you're having these bars as a snack, choose one on the lower range of the calorie spectrum. PowerBar Pria is an example of one that tastes great, and at only 110 calories, it won't make a big dent into your daily food budget.
Carbohydrates:
Carbohydrates are the main fuel source for the muscles and brain, and play an important role in the diet. Some bars have as little as 3 grams of carbohydrates, whereas others, like the Clif bar, have 41 grams. This is more carbohydrates than what you would get in 3 slices of bread. More than 30 grams is not necessary for a snack, unless you plan to engage in long periods of exercise. (Since carbs are the primary source of fuel for the muscles, they are very important during endurance events, such as marathons, or even long basketball games. The PowerBar performance bar has 45 grams of carbs and is very low in fat (only 2 grams).
Carbohydrates are the main fuel source for the muscles and brain, and play an important role in the diet. Some bars have as little as 3 grams of carbohydrates, whereas others, like the Clif bar, have 41 grams. This is more carbohydrates than what you would get in 3 slices of bread. More than 30 grams is not necessary for a snack, unless you plan to engage in long periods of exercise. (Since carbs are the primary source of fuel for the muscles, they are very important during endurance events, such as marathons, or even long basketball games. The PowerBar performance bar has 45 grams of carbs and is very low in fat (only 2 grams).
Protein:
Some like Met-Rx Protein Plus, have over 30 grams of protein--more than a deck of cards worth of chicken or meat. This much protein is generally not necessary, but it can be helpful if you are doing muscle-building exercise, to help the wear and tear of the muscles. PowerBar's Protein Plus has 4.6 grams of glutamine, which can help to rid the muscles of excess lactic acid (Lactic acid is formed during high intensity exercise, when the muscles lack oxygen, and it can interfere with the muscle's ability to contract). Some bars, like Genisoy, offer soy protein as the main protein source. Soy has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels, and possibly protect against other diseases.
Some like Met-Rx Protein Plus, have over 30 grams of protein--more than a deck of cards worth of chicken or meat. This much protein is generally not necessary, but it can be helpful if you are doing muscle-building exercise, to help the wear and tear of the muscles. PowerBar's Protein Plus has 4.6 grams of glutamine, which can help to rid the muscles of excess lactic acid (Lactic acid is formed during high intensity exercise, when the muscles lack oxygen, and it can interfere with the muscle's ability to contract). Some bars, like Genisoy, offer soy protein as the main protein source. Soy has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels, and possibly protect against other diseases.
5 Tips for Buying Energy Bars
- Watch calories and fat - up to 300 calories and 10 grams of fat is reasonable for a meal replacement, but cut that in half for a snack.
- Choose a bar with at least 30 grams of carbs if you plan to engage in long periods of exercise. (Same for protein, if you're working those muscles)
- Look for vitamins and minerals that you wouldn't get from foods (like calcium and iron)
- Limit saturated fat to 3 grams or less per bar.
- Go for bars with 3 grams of fiber, for weight control.
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Nice description provide in this post...
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