Meal Replacement Bars

Does anyone here object/support the meal replacement bars?  I just recently tried Shaklee Cinch meal replacement bar before I worked out today and I felt I had so much energy.  Not only that, I'm not hungry nor am I craving foods like I usually do after a workout.  The bar had 20 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber along with other vitamins.  I'm so clueless when it comes to any sort of supplements and usually stay away from them.  I've always follow the rule of "if God didn't make it, I shouldn't eat it."  Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

I am a fan of meal replacement bars for various reasons.  I am sometimes too lazy to cook supper for myself.  They are a quick fix after a workout.  And also a quick fix if I am traveling and cannot get to a decent restaurant. That said, I realize I rely upon them too much at times. 

Thanks for the quick reply.  Would you recommend eating one before a workout or after?  Or doesn it even matter? 

My son and I both eat protein and/or fiber bars often.  They are an excellent way for us to get our nutrients when we are in a hurry and don't have much time.

As far as when....I eat when I'm hungry.  Before or after a workout has never mattered to me.  You'll hear some people insist that you eat before, some say after.  I say eat when you are hungry. 

It is recommended that you eat (or have a protein shake) after a good workout. 

Personally, I like to eat something about 1.5 hrs before I workout and then again after.

I'm a new devote of the Zone Perfect bars. Delicious and nutritious and SATISFYING!!

Just be careful what bars you’re getting. Make sure they are actually good for you! There  are lots of bar-brands out there (Esp. when you get into the cereal bar kind of stuff) that are just fluff… Sugar and empty calories. Might as well be eating a Snicker’s.

I OBJECT

most are 250 - 300 cals, and taste like CRAP
its actually torterous eating them

i personally rather have a big saled, with 120 cals worth of grated cheese and lowfat dressing (30 cals per tbsp)
fills me up and is delicious for 300 cals. :D

Original Post by akela9:

Might as well be eating a Snicker’s.

They make Snickers protein/energy bars.... lols

I used to eat the South Beach chocolate peanut butter granola bars, 180 cals and lots of protein....then I became addicted to them and would eat a whole box...hmmm...not so good for weight loss lol. luckily i'm not trying to lose anymore because those things certainly wouldn't help me.

Hmmm....interesting.  So all in all, meal replacement bars don't have any negative health effects with the right ingredients besides from personal peferences in taste. 

Thanks all for your great responses!

Just make sure to keep an eye out for ingredients (some have hydrogenated oils, HFCS, malitol syrup... things you might like to avoid). And also make sure that you have a balanced diet around the bars - if you eat a bar for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and both snacks, you'll be missing out on nutrients from other foods.

Original Post by blackout:

I OBJECT

most are 250 - 300 cals, and taste like CRAP
its actually torterous eating them

i personally rather have a big saled, with 120 cals worth of grated cheese and lowfat dressing (30 cals per tbsp)
fills me up and is delicious for 300 cals. :D

 Absolutely untrue.  Special K protein bars, South Beach, Zone Perfect bars, Fiber One Bars are all absolutely delicious, and are a great source of protein and/or fiber, depending on the bar.  I also like Kashi Go-Lean Bars, but I will agree they are an aquired taste. :-)  I guarantee that any of these will be far more nutritous than a bowl of lettuce with cheese.  I lvoe my salads too, but when time is an issue, you simply cannot beat these bars.

I am a big fan of actual food. I don't think anyone, except maybe elite athletes, needs those bars.

To illustrate my point check out some of the videos about nutrition and recipes on this website:http://www.saris.com/athletes/PermaLink,guid,3f7ce7ef-2b0e-4e b6-98c2-f6e2b04f3845.aspx

The guy is a nutritionist for a team that competed in Tour De France!

UD

I am partial to the slim fast optima meal bars. The oatmeal raisin one is my favorite, its delish. I don't eat them everyday, just when I am on the go and don't have time to make something.

Original Post by umneydurak:

I am a big fan of actual food. I don't think anyone, except maybe elite athletes, needs those bars.

To illustrate my point check out some of the videos about nutrition and recipes on this website:http://www.saris.com/athletes/PermaLink,guid,3f7ce7ef-2b0e-4e b6-98c2-f6e2b04f3845.aspx

The guy is a nutritionist for a team that competed in Tour De France!

UD

"Actual food"?  Ha!!   I have a recipe for granola/protein bars.  Does the fact that I make them at home, mean they are "actual food" to you?  What a notion.  Perhaps we shouldn't buy ANYTHING that is premade in the grocery store???  Yeesh.

I don't think anyone here has said that a person "needs" to eat a protien or fiber bar...that wasn't the point.  The point IS, if you are a person that tends to overeat, if you don't have a good sense of nutrition, if you are hungry but short on time, these can ALL be reasons why a meal bar might work for you. My son is 16 and loves them - we eat them regularly. They definitely contribute to our healthy diet.

Original Post by fitmom4life:

"Actual food"?  Ha!!   I have a recipe for granola/protein bars.  Does the fact that I make them at home, mean they are "actual food" to you?  What a notion.  Perhaps we shouldn't buy ANYTHING that is premade in the grocery store???  Yeesh.

I don't think anyone here has said that a person "needs" to eat a protien or fiber bar...that wasn't the point.  The point IS, if you are a person that tends to overeat, if you don't have a good sense of nutrition, if you are hungry but short on time, these can ALL be reasons why a meal bar might work for you. My son is 16 and loves them - we eat them regularly. They definitely contribute to our healthy diet.

Just a bit over reacting to my post, don't you think?

UD

Original Post by umneydurak:

Just a bit over reacting to my post, don't you think?

UD

 Not one bit.

I'm lazy.  I eat the Special K protein Meal replacement bars for breakfast.  180 cals and 12 grams of protein.  They taste fine to me. 

I also like South Beach protein bars, and Fiber One fiber bars. I usually have a fat-free yogurt for a mid-morning snack.

I don't see anything at all wrong with eating them.  It's a lot better for me than the McD's sausage, egg, cheese biscuit I used to eat for breakfast every morning. 

I'm a big fan of the slim fast meal replacement bars and shakes. I pretty much drink a shake every morning (the powder mixed with non-fat milk), and maybe once a week I'll have a bar instead. They are both really tasty. I like the shakes because it's a good way to get some dairy, and I don't usually have a big appetite in the morning so I like to drink something more than eat something.

If you looking for meal replacement bars and suppliments and such why not just skip all of the junk and hype and go with the best which would be neutralite products.  Neutrailte has an awsome selection of meal bars as well as all natural suppliments.  Check out my website on this at

http://jcant.qhealthbeauty.com/

Send me an email at ravin13524666@rocketmail.com of you have any questions comments or concerns

Man... Special K protein bars, South Beach, Zone Perfect bars, Fiber One Bars, Yogurt bars, peanut butter crunch, then there's nutella (they are coming out with an energy bar) - it's all just calories - mostly empty - though some have high protein (and fat ans sugar)... all a little on the sweet side - but then again - apples are on the sweet side right?  And chicken breast ground down and pressed into shape would make an excellent protein bar except with it would taste like ****... errr... chicken... errr... chicken ****.

I think the bars are cool - and if you're into maintenence calories - they are an excellent way to work out while preseving the sugar levels in your body, keeping the nirtogen high...  they are a little on the high calorie side - but hey - that's the nature of sugar and fat.

Also, except bananas, fruit and food tend to be messy and require utensils - not an option in the gym or on a run.