What do you think of protein bars?
- Thread starter amy_b
- Start date
4
40something
Guest
Well, what I think is that protein bars taste like dog food!
Seriously, the theory behind them is great...it's just finding one that you can actually stand to eat that is difficult. I have been buying every brand of bar that I can find in the hopes of hitting on one that has some taste to it...nadda so far. And like you said, so many of them are so loaded with sugar that you might as well just eat a Milky Way and be done with it.
I'll be interested to see if anyone can recommend a protein bar that actually tastes good.
Seriously, the theory behind them is great...it's just finding one that you can actually stand to eat that is difficult. I have been buying every brand of bar that I can find in the hopes of hitting on one that has some taste to it...nadda so far. And like you said, so many of them are so loaded with sugar that you might as well just eat a Milky Way and be done with it.
I'll be interested to see if anyone can recommend a protein bar that actually tastes good.
Try Balance bars, the Caramel Nut Blast flavour.
It's the only one I can stand and it flies off the shelf in my local wholeffoods store.
I use these when I am on the run and do not have time for a sit down breakfast, usually before teaching. I'll have one of these and a banana and decaff coffee and I'm raring to go, with way more energy than my students can muster!
I also use them as an after workout snack, especially if I have worked out prior to taking a daughter to either judo or soccer class and I have to run.
I keep one in my handbag at all times so that I am never caught out without some food on me that's half way decent. I can only take so many bagels and I like the fact that the Balance bar gives me 40 30 30 nutrition with 15 gs of protein.
Clare
It's the only one I can stand and it flies off the shelf in my local wholeffoods store.
I use these when I am on the run and do not have time for a sit down breakfast, usually before teaching. I'll have one of these and a banana and decaff coffee and I'm raring to go, with way more energy than my students can muster!
I also use them as an after workout snack, especially if I have worked out prior to taking a daughter to either judo or soccer class and I have to run.
I keep one in my handbag at all times so that I am never caught out without some food on me that's half way decent. I can only take so many bagels and I like the fact that the Balance bar gives me 40 30 30 nutrition with 15 gs of protein.
Clare
amy_b
Cathlete
Well....Avid soy protein is pretty good w/ 7 grams of sugar, 16 carbs, and 40? protein, I think. Reminds me a bit of a Baby Ruth candy bar. There is a little of bit of sugar in this bar. GenSoy was pretty tasty and I checked the nutrition content but its been too long and I can't remember what it was. I've had a couple of bad ones and I've seen several that are LOADED w/ sugar. You might as well eat a couple of snickers bars. Like I said, I don't know if they are a good idea or not.
Maybe a piece of chicken would be better.
Maybe a piece of chicken would be better.
Amy --
Some of the bars that are marketed as protein bars ARE just glorified candy so you have to look at the nutrition info.
But some of the bars out there ARE a good choice for a snack or meal-replacement. I personally won't eat a bar that doesn't have at least 15 grams of protein.
Unfortunately, I am lazy and won't make my own lunch for work. So I rely on protein drinks and protein bars for my day-time food. The best bars I've found are "Tri-o-plex" bars by Chef Jay. The chocolate chip peanut butter flavor is absolutely fantastic. They fly off the shelves at local health food/supplement stores so I've resorted to buying them online by the box. Here is the nutritional breakdown:
Cals: 358
Fat: 10g
Carbs: 34g/net carbs: 9g
Sat Fat: 2g
Fiber: 6g
Cholesterol: 0
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 220mg
Protein: 33g
I eat one as a meal since they are pretty high in calories. The amount of protein is great. The fiber is great too (they are made with oatmeal).
I haven't found another bar that comes close.
Shonie
Some of the bars that are marketed as protein bars ARE just glorified candy so you have to look at the nutrition info.
But some of the bars out there ARE a good choice for a snack or meal-replacement. I personally won't eat a bar that doesn't have at least 15 grams of protein.
Unfortunately, I am lazy and won't make my own lunch for work. So I rely on protein drinks and protein bars for my day-time food. The best bars I've found are "Tri-o-plex" bars by Chef Jay. The chocolate chip peanut butter flavor is absolutely fantastic. They fly off the shelves at local health food/supplement stores so I've resorted to buying them online by the box. Here is the nutritional breakdown:
Cals: 358
Fat: 10g
Carbs: 34g/net carbs: 9g
Sat Fat: 2g
Fiber: 6g
Cholesterol: 0
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 220mg
Protein: 33g
I eat one as a meal since they are pretty high in calories. The amount of protein is great. The fiber is great too (they are made with oatmeal).
I haven't found another bar that comes close.
Shonie
mogambo
Cathlete
I know this isn't what was asked, but I just want to mention my healthy, inexpensive alternative to all protein bars. I mix up a baby food jar full of raw almonds, a few raisins.
That is the basic, but any of these can also be used interchangeably:
Peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, dried cherries, dried cranberries.
I use raw and unsalted, but of course, you can use roasted and salted if you must.
This is high protein, low sugar, very natural. Just my 2 cents.
That is the basic, but any of these can also be used interchangeably:
Peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, dried cherries, dried cranberries.
I use raw and unsalted, but of course, you can use roasted and salted if you must.
This is high protein, low sugar, very natural. Just my 2 cents.
terribleterra
Member
Hi,
Hardly ever post but wanted to say I found the most delicious protein bars!
Snickers Multigrain crunch - I buy them off eBay - usually $0.50-$0.60 a bar, instead of $1.20-$1.40 a bar in your local store. I buy bulk like 9 cases at a time so it's about $80.00 total.
They are so yummy. I do agree many other protein bars taste awful and I feel like I'm chewing forver just to get a little bit down my throat!
Here are the nutritional values if interested -
1 bar
calories 22
total fat 7g
sat fat 2g
cholesterol 5 mg
sodium 210 mg
potassium 125 mg
total carbs 32 g
dietary fiber 2 g
sugars 18g
protein 9g
vitamin a 35% vitamin c 100% calcium 45% iron 35% and so on so forth...
I know it doesn't have the highest protein value, but it gives me enough of a kick to get going and is filling too!!
Terri}(
Hardly ever post but wanted to say I found the most delicious protein bars!
Snickers Multigrain crunch - I buy them off eBay - usually $0.50-$0.60 a bar, instead of $1.20-$1.40 a bar in your local store. I buy bulk like 9 cases at a time so it's about $80.00 total.
They are so yummy. I do agree many other protein bars taste awful and I feel like I'm chewing forver just to get a little bit down my throat!
Here are the nutritional values if interested -
1 bar
calories 22
total fat 7g
sat fat 2g
cholesterol 5 mg
sodium 210 mg
potassium 125 mg
total carbs 32 g
dietary fiber 2 g
sugars 18g
protein 9g
vitamin a 35% vitamin c 100% calcium 45% iron 35% and so on so forth...
I know it doesn't have the highest protein value, but it gives me enough of a kick to get going and is filling too!!
Terri}(
I like Luna Bars for on the go. I've only tried the Smores, and it's pretty yummy. Not super high in protein, but has more than a cereal bar for example. I think they even came out with a new one recently.
http://www.lunabar.com
Gina
By the way, they are about a dollar each at health food stores.
http://www.lunabar.com
Gina
By the way, they are about a dollar each at health food stores.
26.2runner
Member
Personally, I think the only time they are ever a good choice is when you absolutely can't get to anything else. I would rather eat whole foods whenever possible. I do eat soy and whey protein powders because I am semi veggie and have trouble getting enough protein otherwise. Looking at all the "low carb" junk food on the shelves these days makes me ask myself just what it is Americans have against real food. To me, junk food is junk food regardless of the claims it makes.
So many of them have sugar, or corn syrup, or some other kind of syrup as the 2nd ingredient...making them, IMHO, a glorified candybar, even if they have a lot of protein. There are a few out there with lower glycemic sweeteners like sucralose, but hard to find. I have begun to read the fine print on the labels...what an eye opener as far as how much of that stuff still has so much sugar in it!!
Jen
Jen
Cathe Friedrich
Administrator
Hi Amy! Yes, I agree, some bars are definitely glorified candy bars (those are my favorite ) while others are a much healthier choice but most often not nearly as tasty.
While I am not much of a protein bar eater, I do eat them (as well as protein shakes) for those times when I simply cannot sit down to a meal (mostly around rehearsal and filming time).
I think if you are replacing a meal with a protein bar, you should really get the best and most nutritious bar out there. But if you are having it in place of a snack I think you can allow a little more "flavor" into your bar.
Or if you want to stick with real foods, I love a tart apple with a spoonful of peanut butter for a snack. MMMMMM, going go have it right now :9
) while others are a much healthier choice but most often not nearly as tasty. While I am not much of a protein bar eater, I do eat them (as well as protein shakes) for those times when I simply cannot sit down to a meal (mostly around rehearsal and filming time).
I think if you are replacing a meal with a protein bar, you should really get the best and most nutritious bar out there. But if you are having it in place of a snack I think you can allow a little more "flavor" into your bar.
Or if you want to stick with real foods, I love a tart apple with a spoonful of peanut butter for a snack. MMMMMM, going go have it right now :9