High Protein Energy Bars

High protein energy bars are everywhere. You can see different varieties of these bars being sold in gyms, supermarkets, or gas stations. They have become a popular meal replacement for active people and serve as a healthier snack for those looking to add a few extra calories.

Generally, there are two types of these bars being sold. Those that contain a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates and fat, and the other group are those that contain mostly protein and fat, with very little or no carbs.

The bars that are balanced with protein, fat and carbs are more of an energy type bar and are popular with active people. The bars that are mostly protein and fat are popular with people looking to lose weight and those who are following a low carb diet. But, what are the benefits or the drawbacks of these bars and how can they fit into your diet as part of a healthy eating plan?

Advantages

Energy bars have one big advantage, they are very convenient. They fit into your briefcase, purse or pocket making them easy to take with you anywhere and easy to eat them anytime. A lot of them have a good amount of protein without the high cholesterol and saturated fat contained in other protein sources. They are usually full of vitamins and minerals making them a healthier choice than a fast food option or a convenient store meal.

Disadvantages

Despite popular beliefs, energy bars do not take the place of a well-balanced, nutritious meal. While a lot of these bars contain all the vitamins and minerals commonly found in fruits and vegetables, they don’t contain the phytochemicals, bioflavonoids and fiber that fruits and vegetables have. That’s exactly why their benefits are not quite the same. A lot of these bars also contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated palm oil, meaning that the saturated fat content of these bars can be as much as 50% of the fat content.

The bottom line

You are better off with one of these bars versus a trip to the nearest fast food place, but they still don’t have the same health benefits as fresh fruits and vegetables and other whole foods. If you do like to use these bars, you can make them part of a healthier meal by adding a piece of fruit or a raw vegetable, as opposed to making the bar itself the meal. They are alright by themselves as a pre or post workout snack but always try to keep in mind that they should be considered a snack rather than a meal. Look at the labels and choose only the bars that are low in saturated fat and have no palm oil or any hydrogenated fats or at least have very little of these. Look for bars that contain vitamins and minerals. Most importantly, try not to use them often as a meal replacements. Keeping all this in mind, protein bars are indeed a good thing.