Protein And/Or Energy Bars

I'm just off to the store in a bit, and I thought that I might check out the energy bar section. I've read both good and bad about it (basically that it's only good if you're a long distance walker/runner, but I am so maybe it'll be good for me) but I thought I'd at least try it out because it would be easier for me to eat while in class than real food.

But I have a few questions. Forgive me if these have been asked and answered before. 

What's the difference between a regular energy bar and a protein bar, aside from one of them having lots of protein, while I assume the other one doesn't?

Are energy bars bad, in the sense that they are high in calories but don't actually do much of anything but give you a sugary boost to keep you awake a while longer?

How high in calories should a bar be - energy and protein both - to be considered not too bad?

There must be good and bad brands of bars, but since I live in Sweden without most of the brands available in the US (for example, as most people here seems to be from there, unless I'm wrong) I'd appreciate some general tips of what to look for.

Any and all help appreciated.

Hey reetinkerbell,

I don't know much about the good/bad of energy/protein bars. However, I have eaten quite a few in the past. What I find is that because I tend to digest food fairly quickly (I need to eat every couple hours at least) those energy bars don't last too long in my stomach. Sometimes it only has me feeling full for 15 minutes. Given the high calorie count, that's not a very good thing. They do have some really healthy ones that are just basically pure fruit (and maybe some nuts). Those might be good, since you're not just shoving your body full of icky calories - they're good-for-you calories!

Hope that helps?

I think I'm going to wait a while before I start thinking about buying some and trying them out. I should probably look it up more carefully first, at any rate.

I too have to eat fairly often, and then try and keep from eating too much, so chances are it'd work the same for me. Or similar enough.

 

I stick to real food... the only time I ever have protein bars is if I am out shopping or something, and don't have any thing better to eat and need something fast if I'm hungry (most malls here don't have very good choices for food in the food court, and a 250cal protein bar is a lot better choice then a 800cal slice of pizza, or 1000cal plate of chinese food!)

protein bars= more protein, and usually fewer carbs

energy bars= more carbs (mainly sugars) and lower protein

meal bars= balance of protein, carbs, fat and vitamins

Energy bars are good pre-workout or during a workout, as your body needs fuel for going on a long run or training session... key-word there: "LONG", most people do not need a sugary bar unless they are working out for an extended period of time and need extra fuel

Protein bars are good for post workout to help repair damaged muscle tissue and aid recovery. Many Protein bars are low in carbs, which usually means that they contain artificial sweeteners (I'm not sure of your thoughts on fake sugars, but I feel that they should be avoided/limited)

Meal bars are just that; meal replacements. A few common ones are Slim-Fast bars or Nutribars... these are okay if you are on the go and need something quick, but I would not reccomend eating them on a daily basis. They are mainly composed of sugar with added vitamins and some protein and fat, and usually contain little fiber. The ingredient's list on Meal bars is usually a paragraph long, which is not a good thing.

all in all, I think that the best protein or energy bar is the one with the most natural ingredients and the least amount of ingredeints... such as Larabars which contain less then 5 ingredients, are around 200 calories, and all the ingredients are natural (only fruit, nuts, and seeds) they taste good too, but be aware that they are typically higher in fat and carbs then they are protein (because of the fruit and nuts) They are a good energy bar or a snack bar

Personally though, I think that you're just better off buying REAL food. Most energy bars are a waste of money and calories... for examply you can have fruit before a workout, have a protein source like eggs, fish or poultry after a workout, and always carry around "go-to-snacks" with you, in case hungry strikes (like cut up veggies, an apple with natural peanut butter, hard boiled eggs...etc) that way you can satisfy your hunger pangs until your next meal

If you do want to invest in supplements, then I would invest in a good protein powder.. that way you have something quick and easy to make to refuel after a workout, or make an easy breakfast shake if your in a hurry

Oh, very informative, thank you. The only reason I even thought of any sort of bar was because I can't eat real food while in class, as easily as I could probably get away with eating a bar of some kind, but I'm going to really try and sneak past fruits and veggies.

 

I've had my share. I used to go from class to the gym, which makes a meal hard, and also I don't want a lot of food sitting in my stomach while I workout, so a protein bar is a nice compromise: enough calories to be a mini-meal, but I can work out an hour later with energy without feeling full. I ate snickers protein bars just because they tasted the best, a lot of them taste horrible.

If you can cook, I recommend you google some homemade recipes. I switched to homemade, and they were delicious. I don't use a recipe, just peanut butter, oatmeal, protein powder, a little honey or sugarfree syrup, and choc. chips. Heat it up to make it stirrable (add a touch of milk if its still too thick), then spread it out on a baking sheet. You can pop them straight in the fridge, though they will stay a little 'sticky' or you can bake them to make them more travel-able, but you run the risk of drying them out.

Original Post by minda_spk:

If you can cook, I recommend you google some homemade recipes. I switched to homemade, and they were delicious. I don't use a recipe, just peanut butter, oatmeal, protein powder, a little honey or sugarfree syrup, and choc. chips. Heat it up to make it stirrable (add a touch of milk if its still too thick), then spread it out on a baking sheet. You can pop them straight in the fridge, though they will stay a little 'sticky' or you can bake them to make them more travel-able, but you run the risk of drying them out.

 That is a great idea, I'll have to look into that for sure. :) Thank you.

I'm not really sure, but the Fiber One Oats n Caramel bars taste far too much like desert to be good for you. Unfortunately I may already be addicted. :] I've tried making my own but I need to find a better recipe because I cannot get the sugar down...

Original Postsugar free  by upsidedownkitten:

I'm not really sure, but the Fiber One Oats n Caramel bars taste far too much like desert to be good for you. Unfortunately I may already be addicted. :] I've tried making my own but I need to find a better recipe because I cannot get the sugar down...

 those fiber one bars are not good for you... I am actually replused by the fact that fiber one, makers of the Fiber One cereal which is SUGAR FREE and super high in fiber (14 grams) and low in calories, would actually make a bar that is mainly sugar, refined white puffed rice and chocolate.

the only fiber in those bars comes from inulin, yes, the same stuff that composes Metamucil powder

eating one of those bars is basically just eating a chocolate covered granola bar, then washing it down with a glass of Metamucil or Fiber Sure powder...

 

always read nutrition labels and the ingredients list... avoid products that contain hydrogenated oils, added sugars, stabolizers, thickeners, artificial sweeteners... etc

most packaged foods are loaded with unnessary ingredients... you'll be surprised by how much hidden garbage is in these so-called "health" foods

 

Original Post by minda_spk:

f you can cook, I recommend you google some homemade recipes. I switched to homemade, and they were delicious. I don't use a recipe, just peanut butter, oatmeal, protein powder, a little honey or sugarfree syrup, and choc. chips. Heat it up to make it stirrable (add a touch of milk if its still too thick), then spread it out on a baking sheet. You can pop them straight in the fridge, though they will stay a little 'sticky' or you can bake them to make them more travel-able, but you run the risk of drying them out.

 This sounds very delicious and very simple! Can you share the measurements? I tried looking for simple protein bars and I thought I had found the one on stumptous but the link did not take me there?

I LOVE the Balance protein bars. I you look them up on the food log, I think all of them have an "A" nutrition rating. They acutally taste decent too. I don't generally eat them to replace a meal, but they are a good hold-over food if I need a little something before a workout or if I'm running from meeting to meeting at work and don't have time to eat anything else.

There are also the SoyJoy bars that have fruit/nuts. I'm not sure of the calorie counts or protein %.

The Special K bars are okay too. I've tried both the meal bars and the snack bars.

hope that helps

It does cmpoth, thank you. I think we have the Special K ones here, not so sure about the other ones. :) I'll check them out.

hi I read your question regarding energy at one time I was a huge fan of these I was a distance runner and the protein was what I was in it for since then I don't run anymore :( I have gone to the high fiber bars MUCH better anything high in fiber is usually lower in calories and fat and holds you much longer fyi there is a new Fiber One Bar on the market in lots of new flavors I think they are very good

Original Post by bruta:

hi I read your question regarding energy at one time I was a huge fan of these I was a distance runner and the protein was what I was in it for since then I don't run anymore :( I have gone to the high fiber bars MUCH better anything high in fiber is usually lower in calories and fat and holds you much longer fyi there is a new Fiber One Bar on the market in lots of new flavors I think they are very good

 I don't know if they have them here, but I'll certainly have a look. :) Thank you for the tip.

Hi,

I find I have to be careful with this kind of food.  When I eat anything that has sugar or corn syrup in it, I get cravings for more foods with sugar.  I bought a box of protein bars to keep in my office and one stressful day, I ate all of them within 8 hours.  I have Type 2 Diabetes and need to eat often but I've switched to snacks like vegetables, hummus and whole wheat pita wedges, or fruit like apples or grapes, or meat and cheese.  I just can't trust myself not to get derailed with bars that either taste like candy or cookies.  Good Luck!

oh yes I agree, these bars can be dangerous hehehe

I limit myself to one treat in the evening with a glass of ff milk when I crave something sweet, the fiber one is pretty good cause it is filling the Special K ones are so light and airy I could eat a whole box no problem

Good luck to you as well.

I like the Kashi GOLean Crunchy Protein and Fiber Bars.  I eat them as a snack after work, before I go work out.  It helps tide me over until dinner.  

I agree with making your own energy\protein bars so you know exactly what's in them.

I found a simple recipe:

1 cup crush bran flakes, corn flakes, ricecrispies, 1/2 cup ea sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, 1/4 cup slivered almonds, 2Tbs milled flax seed. mix together set aside. boil 1/2 cup honey for about 5 minutes and pour over dry mixture and press into an 8x8 pan. I put them in the fridge or freezer to firm up and then cut into 12 bars, approx 150 cal ea.  I buy it all at the natural foods store so there are no additives and the taste great, take less than 10 minutes to make.

 

I have a Clif Bar for lunch daily.  They are a substantial size and chewy enough to make me feel as though I've eaten something. There is a wide variety to choose from and they are all well under 200 Calories. Additionally, I like the fact that they can spend hours in a car or saddle bag without getting melted and stuck to the wrapper, even in Atlanta's summer heat. Their ingredients are natural and devoid of preservatives (I think, read the label. I don't have one handy at present). I've tried them all, and this is my choice,and no, I don't have any connection to them other than that of a customer.

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Try dried fruit. One oz. equals about 100 calories. For my morning snack i have one oz. of dried fruit and one serving of whey protein.