Are protein bars actually not that healthy?

[DisastrousQu33n]

I read stuff about then containing saturated fat and sugars and aren't good unless you're really in a hurry

[HikerDude]

No, they're essentially candy bars fortified with protein. I just went through a process of losing about 90 pounds, and my nutritionist told me to avoid those things like the plague because they're high-GI foods with marginal nutritional value. Real food is better for you. I don't even used protein shakes because they don't fill me up and they're ultimately a processed food laden with artificial sweeteners. As my trainer says, you have to eat clean foods if you want a clean physique.

[DisastrousQu33n]

Yeah, that's what I read and I'm Luke nuuu so I stopped having them (I used to have about four a week) for two weeks and lost five additional pounds just doing what I always do

[HikerDude]

I love the Met-Rx cookie dough bar, but I have to be honest with myself about what it is. It does get boring eating the same foods constantly, but the results aren't boring, though!

[DisastrousQu33n]

Definitely not

[electrollama]

Why would you eat protein bars? They're designed to help build muscle. It's not meant to be a daily snack food. I guess it's okay though because teens need protein anyway (for general growth). You could just look at the nutrition facts for the saturated fats and sugars.

[DisastrousQu33n]

Because I run track and go to the gym six days a week, I'm not just eating them to quench munchies

[electrollama]

That's good. I know a lot of people do though.

[Kiwedin]

Yeah, they're pretty pointless. It's basically fat, sugar, and some protein. Not saying protein's bad, it's just that you really don't need that much. As long as you're eating a calorically sufficient diet, it's physically impossible to become protein deficient. It's fine for when you're in a hurry, but there's better options out there. Like a few bananas or something.

[labelleviolette]

Generally those kinds of bars are designed for people doing very intense workouts. The high level of protein IS good if you've just played a soccer game, for example, or finished a hockey practice (or whatever else kind of workout). For just day to day eating, they aren't the best thing for a quick snack.

[BertMacklinFBI]

they shouldn't be consumed probably more than once a day. and some manufactures really cheat the consumer on overall ingredients, they will say like 15g protein per bar, but that protein is probably soy protein, or milk protein, which isn't the best kind of protein you can get for your body. so you really gotta do your research and find a bar worth consuming that actually provides decent quality nutrition.

[Illusive_Man]

There isn't really a sort of "unhealthy" food so to speak as long as they fit in your daily macro-micro-nutrient budget.

So protein bars are a good source of energy when you're in a hurry and need some energy pre-workout or need to recuperate post-workout but as a SNACK... there are better choices.

[mistninja314]

i1127.photobucket.com/.../ezgif.com-add-text_8.gif this is a good question ^_^

[kheserthorpe]

I make my own.

My own have more fat then the store bought ones. Less chemicals though

[thewanderingme]

fat is healthy! (well, maybe. it depends on where it comes from).

what ingredients do you use?

[kheserthorpe]

Nuts (ground to nut butter), dried whey with no additives, plain Greek yogurt. A bit of raw honey, vanilla and cinnamon. Then dip the bars in a semisweet dark chocolate.

[epiman94]

Those sound good!!!

[thewanderingme]

you use a nut butter maker or coffee grinder? I used to use a coffee grinder but the blade recently snapped ;/

[kheserthorpe]

@Thewanderingme I use a food processor or buy the nut butter. I like to use an almond/cashew/brazil nut mix when i'm feeling energetic, and i can't buy brazil nut butter. But I can get almond and cashew butter so sometimes just use those and skip the grinding nuts for 10 minutes step.

[thewanderingme]

10 MINUTES? wow! my coffee grinder only took 2, although it came out more powdery than buttery depending on what nuts were used, and it couldn't grind brazil nuts.

I thought about getting a small food processor but figured having a blender and a grinder made it unnecessary. not sure what else to use it for.

[kheserthorpe]

@thewanderingme you're not grinding long enough. First they go powdery, then they turn into a ball getting smashed around in the machine, and then it turns to a butter.

See the pictures in this blog for instance:
www.kitchentreaty.com/how-to-make-almond-butter/

[thewanderingme]

hmm, ok. I guess I do need a food processor then, no point in getting another coffee grinder. thanks! ;)

[kheserthorpe]

By the way asker: I would say protein bars are not a great 'snack in a hurry'. If all you want is a snack, they're likely packing way more then you need.

What protein bars have going for them is they pack a fair bit of protein and other macronutrients into a portable form. They're quite filling. It's more something you'd use as a small portable meal, as a post workout food source, etc.

[RandomStudent]

They aren't healthy but they'll help you gain muscle and weight if that's what you're looking for. Most don't claim to be healthy, after all they have to make protein taste good with high fructose corn syrup and what not.

[DisastrousQu33n]

*never eats one again* high fructose corn syrup = nope

[RandomStudent]

I'm sure you can find some brands without it, but they all have shit like that in them.

[thewanderingme]

no they don't. get them from a health food store instead of a regular supermarket.

[maiez]

Most of them are basically candy, they just have a high amount of protein for you if you dont eat enough.

[Anonymous]

Some people, like myself, need to take in a decent amount of fat and carbs. Obviously, it depends on which brand the bar comes from but the "in a hurry" comment leads me to believe you eat them as a snack?

[DisastrousQu33n]

I have, not regularly. But I sure af won't anymore lolol

[Opinion Owner]

Well unless you're trying to pack on some muscle and don't get enough protein from your diet, they're not even made for you in terms of goals lol

[JackKerouac77]

Depends what else is in them and how much protein you intake vs. physical activity levels. Do some research.

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

I would think GNC can give some advice on protein bars
you can consult them but your own doctor is the best advice.

[kheserthorpe]

Asking GNC for advice is like asking a car dealer if you should buy a car or keep taking the bus.

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

GNC might not give the best advice but they know about what type of things they sell
and what their customers buy the most of but my opinion is talk to your own personal doctor

[Drooogie4]

They're good sometimes if you need a lot of protein and fat.
But generally healthy, not especially.

[kittyd7015]

there gud soon after u exersise. im a personal trainor xxx

[ihatethiswebsite]

I would say no since basicallly every single one I've seem is loaded with sugar.

[BertMacklinFBI]

them cookies... :o

[ihatethiswebsite]

@BertMacklinFBI
The cookies were good too lol

[BertMacklinFBI]

they look so good! ahhh I want my butter/sugar induced coma this weekend hahaa

[matheus_mb]

Useful question. I had never thought about it...

[Juspham]

I love protein bars, eat one everyday :)

[p0rtis26]

Depends on the sugar amount