Protein Bars

Does anyone recommend a favorite bar?  I've been working out/weigh training for a few months now and I'm trying to increase my protein without adding too many calories.  I want to continue to lose weight (fat) and build muscle. Any suggestions?  Thanks:)

I like pureprotein ras- 180-190 cals, with 19-20g protein. The peanut butter marshmallow eclipse and smores are best IMO.

Also like balance bars (200-210 cals, 15g protein)- cookie dough is amazing! Trio-plex cookies are good too- they come in a 2 pack and are between 140-180 cals each depending on flavor, and 9-11g protein per cookie. I also really like the atkins bars that come in a box- cinnamon bun is my favorite (150 cals and 12g protein). South Beach cereal bars are also good- 140 cals, 10g protein and 10g fiber I think.

Don't forget protein shakes too!  They are tasty and delicious and you can make them even more tasty and delicious by doing fun stuff like adding PB and ice and blending them...mmmmm...

Mixed with water they can be as low as 100 - 120 calories, plus the protein (assuming we're talking whey protein) is predigested so it immediately goes to aid in recovery.

There are lots of posts about protein shakes, so do a search and I'm sure you'll find some great info!  I like them better than bars because I feel like the bars have less protein and more sugar and thus more calories.  But that's only my opinion - bars probably fill you up longer too!  Shakes may also seem inconveneint at first, but they arent'.  Get a small empty water bottle, pour in a scoop of protein and put the cap on.  After your workout, add 4 to 6oz of water, recap and shake.  Done!

pure protein is good, also think thin bars.  The creamy peanut butter flavor is the best.  240 cals 20 grams of protein.

I have been trying to eat less processed food though, I used to make my own bars and stopped but today I think I will make some, they are easy to make.  I cut the recepie below into 16 servings.  128 cals and 11 grams of protien.  Just mix everything together, spray a square dish with cooking spray, press the mixture in there and put it in the fridge for a few hours and cut up the bars.  They keep in the fridge for about a week and are really good!

3/4 cup steel cut oats 6 tbs peanut butter (You could also use PB2 to have even less cals) 1/2 cup mixed nuts or dried fruit 1 cup dry skim milk 6 scoops protein powder

You're much better off going with a whey powder, the low cal protein bars don't have enough protein, and the higher ones have alot of cals & fat. They are also full of preservatives. They are fine everyonce and awhile, but I wouldn't use them for your daily workouts. You can get about 25g of protein from Whey isolate powder for about 120 cals, it's also much cheaper.

I recently started having one of the Atkins Advantage ones in between lunch and dinner. They have 17-19g/protein and taste like a delicious candy bar! Just be careful if you're sensitive to sugar alcohols...

But I agree on the whey protein- I do a lot of those too- I have a chocolate flavored one that I blend with 1/2 cup milk, 1 cup ice and a banana- delicious! And it's only 200 cals or so. 

Maybe skip the protien bars/shakes and just eat more protien - this is the best solution. 1/2 cup cottage cheese has only 100 calories and is much better for you than any protien bar.

Thinking that a 'protien bar' is a good source of nutrition is a mistake and a lot of wasted calories. Bars are good for a snack, not a nutitional suppliment, Lara bars have no preservatives and whole ingredients. If you still need to suppliment protien, I agree with the above posters - a whey protien powder is the best way to go.  The only time I use 'protien bars' is if I'm running a half marathon or further.

Original Post by morganbclaw:

pure protein is good, also think thin bars.  The creamy peanut butter flavor is the best.  240 cals 20 grams of protein.

 

I have been trying to eat less processed food though, I used to make my own bars and stopped but today I think I will make some, they are easy to make.  I cut the recepie below into 16 servings.  128 cals and 11 grams of protien.  Just mix everything together, spray a square dish with cooking spray, press the mixture in there and put it in the fridge for a few hours and cut up the bars.  They keep in the fridge for about a week and are really good!

 

3/4 cup steel cut oats 6 tbs peanut butter (You could also use PB2 to have even less cals) 1/2 cup mixed nuts or dried fruit 1 cup dry skim milk 6 scoops protein powder

  

um sorry I forgot to mention to add water!  haha, won't be very good without that.  Add about 1/2 cup water and mix everything.. it makes a really thick paste like consistency.

Choco-lite...they are high in fiber & low in calories, not to mention delicious!!. :)

You know what I would recommend?! Hard boiling EGGS and eating those after a work out! Eggs are a perfect fuel food after a work out because they have healthy fats (omega-3 enriched even better) and are full of rebuilding protein! Honestly, consider making a whole bunch and munching on them after work outs, etc because they are better than ANY processed energy/protein bar!