Meal replacement/protein bars

L

LizC7

Cathlete
I recently tried the special k meal bars - very good. I was wondering what people thought of meal replacement or protein bars/shakes. I enjoy a yogurt mixed with protein whey shake with fruit sometimes. Are there really benefits? I'm looking more to tone and have muscle def rather than lose weight right now. I saw that Beachbody has recovery bars but is that really needed? Does it really work?
What's a good/tasty suggestion for hunger control/muscle toning or workout recovery and hopefully not too expensive....
 
It really depends on the ingredients in the bars and the nutrient breakdown. I prefer whey protein isolate for my protein supplements (although I don't use them that often). I make sure the bar doesn't include high fructose corn syrups, hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated fats, sugar alcohols (really makes you bloat and hurts the tummy), a lot of chemicals or additives, etc.

I also look at what I'm trying to get out of the bar: is it supposed to be a meal replacement, which I would expect to be high protein, low carb; or is it supposed to be an energy bar, which I would use for exercise purposes and want it to include carbs and less protein? Are the nutrients in the bar worth the calories? Will it keep me not-hungry long enough? In general, I find Special K to be a very poor product line, with minimal nutrients. They may taste good, but that is the extent of it. I use meal replacement bars only when I'm in all day meetings and can't have a "real-food" snack.

Whether or not you need recovery drinks depends on your goals and the intensity of your workouts, really. If you are an athlete looking to improve performance, absolutely, some form of recovery drink is optimal (mostly simple carbs with a little protein is best; chocolate milk is an excellent choice). If you don't care too much about performance, I'd say just have a lot of smaller complete meals throughout the day, and make sure one of those meals is soon after your workout and includes carbs and protein. If you've gone running for two hours, make sure your electrolytes are in balance.
 
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I carry Kashi bars for emergency meal replacements on business travel - there's a good balance of nutrients and fiber, and the calories aren't too high. It's not a real meal replacement. Kashi products are usually good but they do vary in nutrition/calories so you'll want to read the label. There's a trail mix bar I particularly like! And, another with cherries and very dark chocolate ... That one, I like so much I've decided it is entirely off limits except when I am travelling :) :) :)

For recovery drinks I normally don't need one as I like to work out prior to meals, and I get my carb/proteins that way. But during summers, I'll make a smoothie out of fruit and plenty of low fat yogurt, and in the winter - cocoa in low fat milk! Greek yogurt is another favorite. You can make your own greek yogurt inexpensively by purchasing plain lowfat yogurt and using a strainer overnight.

Most of my workouts are 90 minutes or less, but summers, for long bike rides or long hikes over two hours, I'll bring an apple and eat that/drink water rather than purchase a special recovery drink.

BTW, I treat heavy duty outdoor chores the same as a regular workout. I warm up first, pay attention to calories burned, stay hydrated, and use my meals/snacks to rejuvenate, and stretch. That goes for snow shovelling too!
 
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thank you both...good tips to follow...generally I like small meals throughout the day. It's nice to have a tasty snack here and there!
 
I use Muscle Milk - regular for meal replacement. A lot of people think it is too high fat/calorie, but I have a hard time reaching daily protein needs without it. And yummy!!! It is tasty!!!!:D
I use the light Muscle Milk for recovery. It's also delicious.
It's the only brand I've found where I enjoy all the flavors and I can use it daily without choking it down after the 2nd day!
JMHO and what works for me!:cool:

Becky
 
horseshowmom said:
I use Muscle Milk - regular for meal replacement. A lot of people think it is too high fat/calorie, but I have a hard time reaching daily protein needs without it. And yummy!!! It is tasty!!!!:D
I use the light Muscle Milk for recovery. It's also delicious.
It's the only brand I've found where I enjoy all the flavors and I can use it daily without choking it down after the 2nd day!
JMHO and what works for me!:cool:

Becky
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I'm with you Becky - Muscle Milk all the way!! I love the stuff. I buy online at allstarhealth.com $30 includes shipping. I use mine for pre-workout meal & occassionally for my proein source at breakfast when in a hurry.
I mix 1/4 serving (1/2 scoop) with 1/2 serving plain greek yogurt. Tastes like choc pudding to me - very good! :D
 
MAYNARDSMOM said:
I'm with you Becky - Muscle Milk all the way!! I love the stuff. I buy online at allstarhealth.com $30 includes shipping. I use mine for pre-workout meal & occassionally for my proein source at breakfast when in a hurry.
I mix 1/4 serving (1/2 scoop) with 1/2 serving plain greek yogurt. Tastes like choc pudding to me - very good! :D
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agree with the muscle milk. it tastes amazing!
 
I'm not a nutritionist, but I think people who eat protein bars or protein drinks are making a mistake. First of all, Americans eat too much protein to begin with, and secondly, man-made factory-processed foods do not do a good job of replacing real food. I eat Larabars as snacks when I'm busy and don't have time to stop and eat, but since Larabars are made only of fruits and nuts, I figure it's close to eating real food. Even so, I know I would be much better off stopping and having a salad or a bowl of lentil vegetable soup. IMHO, you should forget the meal replacements.
 
how many calories are in muscle milk? i only get a 15 min break at work and like to do my in home pt during that time hiding in another room.
i love my CLICK expresso protein drink but it only has 120 calories and bsn lean dessert.i need more because i work sales floor

laura
 
nancy324 said:
I'm not a nutritionist, but I think people who eat protein bars or protein drinks are making a mistake. First of all, Americans eat too much protein to begin with, and secondly, man-made factory-processed foods do not do a good job of replacing real food. I eat Larabars as snacks when I'm busy and don't have time to stop and eat, but since Larabars are made only of fruits and nuts, I figure it's close to eating real food. Even so, I know I would be much better off stopping and having a salad or a bowl of lentil vegetable soup. IMHO, you should forget the meal replacements.
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I agree completely!

Especially since most protein/meal replacement bars are very processed and often are no better than candy bars (with extra vitamins and protein which, as Nancy mentioned, most Americans get too much of anyway).

That said, a smoothie with some hemp protein (minimally processed, raw) can be good for times when you don't have time to make a meal.
 
i also agree but a protein drink with milk will fill me up better than a bar. can you make a smoothe in 1 min? thats all i have time for. and it would be too expensive to buy larabars 5 days a week.

laura
 
josiespcah6ojsh said:
how many calories are in muscle milk? i only get a 15 min break at work and like to do my in home pt during that time hiding in another room.
i love my CLICK expresso protein drink but it only has 120 calories and bsn lean dessert.i need more because i work sales floor

laura
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i get the muscle milk light powder. 2 scoops has 200 cals and 4.5 grams of fat, and i think 20 grams of protein (too lazy righ tnow to get up and check).
 
nancy324 said:
I'm not a nutritionist, but I think people who eat protein bars or protein drinks are making a mistake. First of all, Americans eat too much protein to begin with, and secondly, man-made factory-processed foods do not do a good job of replacing real food. I eat Larabars as snacks when I'm busy and don't have time to stop and eat, but since Larabars are made only of fruits and nuts, I figure it's close to eating real food. Even so, I know I would be much better off stopping and having a salad or a bowl of lentil vegetable soup. IMHO, you should forget the meal replacements.
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i totally agree and for the most part eat all natural but there are some times when i'm in a pinch and i'll grab a shake. i don't think its a big deal if done every now and then. real food is always better.
 
kathryn said:
I agree completely!

Especially since most protein/meal replacement bars are very processed and often are no better than candy bars (with extra vitamins and protein which, as Nancy mentioned, most Americans get too much of anyway).

That said, a smoothie with some hemp protein (minimally processed, raw) can be good for times when you don't have time to make a meal.
Click to expand...

It might not be the BEST option, but it's a lot better than many other alternatives which people tend to grab when in a hurry...ie. vending machine snacks, fast food, etc. It's making all the difference for me in my journey towards weight loss and better health! :D I am chronically UNDER in my daily protein unless I use a shake...and not just by a few grams, but dozens!:(

To answer the calorie question...
Muscle Milk Regular
calories = 300
fat (i will agree runs high) = 12 g
total carbs = 16g
dietary fiber= 5g
soluble fiber= 5g
sugar= 4g
protein= 32g

Muscle Milk Light
calories=195
fat=6g
carbs=11g
dietary fiber=1g
sugars=2g
protein=25g

The vanilla creme is to die for IMO! :cool:
 
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