Our beginner’s guide to protein bars contains information regarding the importance of protein bars, the type of bar you should buy, as well as how they should be incorporated into your diet.
What Makes Them Valuable Additions to My Diet?
Protein bars are a great addition to your diet. While they contain protein, they also provide you with other necessary vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, protein bars fill you up, so you avoid constant snacking.
Let’s say you’re packing a lunch for work and you set aside a protein bar as your snack. You’ll feel more inclined to eat the protein bar and lunch you bought—that’s it. You’re controlling your intake, as you can only overeat if you bring more than what’s necessary.
What Type of Protein Bar Should I Buy?
There are a variety of protein bars on the market ranging in calorie intake, amount of sugar, and vitamins. All these factors can make it easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing a brand.
To help you through the process, we’ve put together a list of recommendations on how to choose the right bar for you.
Choose a bar with a reasonable balance of carbs, fat, fiber, and protein. Typically, fruit- and nut-based bars provide an array of nutrients. However, you should also look to avoid ingredients such as trans fats and palm oil, which cause more harm than good.
If you’re not someone who drinks protein shakes, consider buying bars with more than ten grams of protein to act as the proper supplement.
Many protein bars taste sweet but contain far less sugar than you may imagine. However, it’s still important to be wary of the amount of sugar in protein bars. If sugar (in any form) is the first ingredient, it’s probably not going to be very beneficial to you. Strive to find a brand of protein bar that uses healthy primary ingredients such as nuts and seeds.
When Should I Eat Them?
Below you’ll discover opportune moments throughout the day when you may want to consider having a protein bar.
When you want an on-the-go breakfast
While not everyone considers themselves a morning person, it’s still important to eat breakfast. If you’re in a rush, a protein bar is one of the best ways to start off the day.
Before a workout
It’s an age-old secret that protein improves athletic performance. Many athletes will eat a smaller meal, such as a protein bar, up to an hour before exercise to prepare for the ultimate workout.
After a workout
Your body craves energy and nourishment after long rounds of exercises. Repair and enhance your muscles with a protein bar within 45 minutes of finishing your workout.
When you need a healthy snack
When you’re on the go, it’s easy to reach for a candy bar or chips. However, if you keep a couple of protein bars in your bag, you won’t feel tempted to give in to your unhealthy cravings. We recommend indulging in a bar that’s between 300 and 400 calories.
Remember that protein bars shouldn’t act as a replacement but as a supplement. We recommend eating real, whole foods that are rich in protein every opportunity you have.
