Protein Bars
- Thread starter LizC7
- Start date
desertambrosia
Cathlete
A co-worker recommended Quest bars to me. Stated they were "so good." I didn't like them at all. All I tasted was that funky artificial aftertaste that I can't stand. I like Kind Bars. Filled with nuts and seeds. Not really low calorie, but, sometimes you just have to scratch an itch.
A while back, I ate PR Bars. They were delicious. Loved the chocolate peanut butter. May have to try them again. Only downside, they are expensive.
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nckfitheart2009
Cathlete
I do not have any favourite industrial protein bar. I make my own containing maximum 5 ingredients.
It has been about 2-3 years since I have cut out any industrial bar and I am feeling better. There are pros making protein bar and/or ball
by myself: I can control and know what I am consuming, cost effectiveness and better taste IMO. Also industrial bar were trigger food
to me!!!
Sorry for not recommending any brand!!!
LasVegasFitGirl
Cathlete
It may be because they're so chocolatey, but I like Robert Irvine's bars. They're about 190 calories and he has two flavors.
jamie vaughn
Cathlete
Nathalie, do you have a recipe posted somewhere for your bars? I don't like the taste of the store brands myself but if yours are only 5 ingredients I can handle that kind of baking.
Jamie
Jamie
I just got those at Costco..pretty Good!! 200 cal, but that's good for me!!
I usually get Zone Perfect- about 200 calories, 14 grams of protein and loaded with vitamins and minerals, no nasty aftertaste. I also get Pure Protien-200 calories, 20 grams of protein and also has a lot of vitamins and minerals. I'm usually on the hunt for others but these 2 have been my go to bars.
complik8td
Cathlete
I'm with Nathalie. I make my own. It's so easy, quick, I have ultimate control over the ingredients, and it's cost effective. I'm currently making these Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter No-Bake Protein Bars with some modifications to curb the carbs and eliminate the sweetener.
My adaptation (organic, gluten-free, preservative-free, etc.):
1-1/2 cups oats
1/2 cup ground flax
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup protein powder
1 cup almond/hazelnut butter
1 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup cacao nibs
1/3 cup raw, shelled hemp seeds
Pinch of salt
My adaptation (organic, gluten-free, preservative-free, etc.):
1-1/2 cups oats
1/2 cup ground flax
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup protein powder
1 cup almond/hazelnut butter
1 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup cacao nibs
1/3 cup raw, shelled hemp seeds
Pinch of salt
~Elsie
Cathlete
Homemade is best of course to avoid over processed whey, soy, pea etc and high sodium ingredients masked as 'natural'.
Although, when I haven't had the energy to make my own (they don't take long of course, I'm just being lazy), I like Whole Earth & Sea Organic Greens Protein Bar. One of the more real food - less processed ones around, although still too much sugar IMO. Hard to avoid in anything packaged cause it is probably the most natural preservative (besides spices like cloves etc.) there is.
Carol, your recipe looks pretty awesome!! Thank you.
Although, when I haven't had the energy to make my own (they don't take long of course, I'm just being lazy), I like Whole Earth & Sea Organic Greens Protein Bar. One of the more real food - less processed ones around, although still too much sugar IMO. Hard to avoid in anything packaged cause it is probably the most natural preservative (besides spices like cloves etc.) there is.
Carol, your recipe looks pretty awesome!! Thank you.
lisa_la_machina
Cathlete
Same here. Maybe I was expecting too much from the Quest Bars because of the rave reviews, but they just tasted like chalk. KIND bars, on the other hand, are terrific. Some of the Kind Bars are "protein plus" with added protein, others are just the protein from the nuts and seeds. I've yet to find a Kind bar I don't like.
I also like to make my own protein bars. It's really quite easy and cheap! Peg, my fitness pal has a free recipe calorie calculator. Just plug in the ingredients to get an idea of the nutrient profile of your recipe.
Lisa
nckfitheart2009
Cathlete
Thanks Lisa for posting this. Very useful.
@jamie vaughn
Yes I do have one, you will need to convert from grams to ounces or cup I am afraid. Carol's recipe is great too
I remember making one with similar ingredients. Here my No-bake recipe:
- 250 gr oat
- 50 gr Acacia honey --- Maple syrup
- 40 gr Almond Butter --- Peanut
- 80 gr isolate protein whey ---Casein
- 10cl water or Almond/coconut milk
in my kitchen. Sometime I do make my own oat flour, then mix all ingredients, pour on baking sheet, flatten
the batter, put in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes. I then cut bars and wrap them. I do not store them for
more than a week. I like them fresh. The ingredient I need the most is some nut and seeds---Almond. It keep me full
for good 2-3 hours. There is literally no artificial after taste in homemade bars. Feel free to add some flax powder.
I do not use peanut --- Can only have almond nut due to allergy. You can tweak the recipe as you want. I have not used maple syrup recently, I have substituted it with apple and pear organic syrup which I can easily in store here. Plus it is good to change sometimes.
I prefer a maximum 5 ingredients. Less calories.
Please keep us all informed once you have ventured in the kitchen!
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nckfitheart2009
Cathlete
Thanks Carol for sharing this link above, I will try your recipe's. Shame the nutrition box is too quiet. I wish we could
discuss more about nutrition. It is certainly worth discussing as it it's 70-80% of the hard work!
Let's all stay tune
nckfitheart2009
Cathlete
Here is another 5 ingredients recipe for you Jamie @jamie vaughn
http://cathe.com/healthy-recipe-gluten-free-fruit-cinnamon-protein-bars
http://cathe.com/healthy-recipe-gluten-free-fruit-cinnamon-protein-bars
JeanneMarie
Cathlete
The Pure Protein Bars are what I eat also. I have to qualify and say that I don't eat a lot of protein bars, but if I'm out and about and don't have time to eat before a bootcamp class or workout at the gym, I'll eat one of these. My faves are: Chocolate Peanut Caramel -- 20 g protein, 2 g sugar, 190 calories; Chocolate Deluxe -- 21 g protein, 3 g sugar, 180 calories; and Chocolate Peanut butter --20 g protein, 2 g sugar, 200 calories.
Hats off to you ladies who make your own. I should do that myself!
JeanneMarie
Cathlete
This is not a protein bar, but I've found a pretty decent Protein recovery drink. It was recommended to me by a personal trainer. It's called "Coco Protein" (made by MusclePharm) and it's coconut water and protein. For those who don't like the taste of coconut water straight (that would be me!), this does not taste like that. It's pretty good.....kind of a watered down pina colada taste. It has 20 g of protein, and is gluten and lactose free for those that need that. One bottle is 120 calories with 1 g of fat and 5 g sugar.
They also have a chocolate flavor that is pretty good.
They also have a chocolate flavor that is pretty good.
nckfitheart2009
Cathlete
We do not have this brand here in continental europe but I do, when I am doing hypertrophy, make a coconut + protein shake
from organic coconut water and it is refreshing. Low calorie
I love it
jamie vaughn
Cathlete
nckfitheart2009
Cathlete
I do feel overwhelmed sometimes --- That is why I , well we need minimal ingredients 5 maximum for a protein bar is
enough IMO