Eating a protein bar is one of the fastest ways to have a quick protein fix. This is why this healthy snack becomes one of the favourites among athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and people on the go. Protein bars are tasty, easy to eat, and can give you a good amount of protein whenever you need it. But how do you choose a good protein bar?
First, you need to remember that protein bars cannot replace the whole foods that you eat every day. However, it is safe to eat these bars every day provided that you are still eating a well-balanced diet.
Here is what you need to look for:
Ingredients
Before eating something, you surely want to know what it is made of. Most protein bars are packed with ingredients that you don’t even know how to read. So always check the ingredients. Fewer ingredients make the protein bar better.
Calories
If you are eating a protein bar as a snack for your workout, the number of calories is one thing you need to check before eating one. Some products contain a whopping 250 calories per serving. This is especially true with protein-style cookies with two servings per pack, giving you 500 calories in total. Always choose the one with lower calories. After all, you are eating a snack.
Fat
Always check the fat content of your protein snack and see how much calories are coming from protein or fat. Protein bars that are made of seeds, nuts, and nut butter contain more calories and fat. These are healthy fats, though, and can keep you from feeling hungry for a longer time. However, it slows down the absorption of protein and carbohydrates your body needs. Choose a protein bar with lower fat content the next time you buy.
Sugar
Much low-carb protein snack uses sugar alcohols such as mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, and sorbitol. These can cause gas and bloat as these types of sugar are not digestible by a human. A good protein snack has less than 5 grams of added sugar and at least 5 grams of fibre.
Protein
Most nutrition bars that are being marketed as “protein bars” are energy bars that are full of calories. While these snacks can give you a nice kick of energy, its protein content is not enough to be considered as a protein bar. A good protein bar contains at least 10 grams of protein, which could give you a decent snack. For athletes and gym-goers, they should look for a protein bar that has 15-30 grams of protein. If you need to increase your protein intake; you should go for a snack that can give you at least 10 grams of protein for every 100 calories.
Protein is essential in muscle growth, which makes protein bars the best snack for athletes, bodybuilders, and those trying to lose some weight. Moreover, people who are always in a hurry can eat it as an instant energy-giving snack without the guilt of consuming too many calories.
This protein snack is best for a quick breakfast, along with yogurt or fruit. You can also chew a bar before and after a workout if you don’t want to bring a protein shaker to the gym.
