Do you are feeling overwhelmed by what number of protein/vitality bars there are in the marketplace?! What components it’s best to search for? Which do you have to attempt to steer clear of? Listed here are some tricks to make your buying a complete lot simpler, together with 10 protein bar choices we’d advocate!
Navigating The Vitamin Details Label
NUTRITION FACTS – That is the place macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats) and their quantities are listed on the again of the label. Whereas all three of those macronutrients are necessary, the required quantities fluctuate from individual to individual relying on well being standing, life-style, and exercise degree. Sure micronutrients (nutritional vitamins and minerals) are additionally listed on the meals label. If a meals comprises 10-19% of the every day worth of a nutrient, like Vitamin C, it’s thought of to be a “good supply”. If it comprises 20% or extra, it’s thought of an “glorious supply”.
Search for bars with at the least 10 grams of protein and should you plan to make use of it as a pre or post-workout snack, at the least 20 grams of carbohydrates.
THE INGREDIENT LIST – Earlier than I take a look at the diet details, I first examine the components. It will let you know the place these grams are coming from. For instance, are the grams of sugar coming from entire meals sources like dates? Or from refined sugar and corn syrup? And are the fat coming from entire meals sources like nuts and seeds? Or hydrogenated oils?
I like to recommend avoiding bars marketed as being ‘low carb’ or ‘low sugar’ earlier than exercises as they usually comprise synthetic sweeteners, sugar alcohols (maltitol, erythritol, xylitol), and artificial fibers that may trigger GI points (bloating, gasoline, diarrhea) mid-workout. Tolerance degree of synthetic sweeteners and sugar alcohols will fluctuate relying on the athlete.
Components are listed so as by weight. Heavier, denser components will likely be listed first adopted by lighter components. For instance, ½ cup of brown rice syrup or honey weighs the identical as 2 cups of oats, so even when a product makes use of extra oats than honey, the honey will likely be listed first resulting from weight.
Look For Complete Meals Components
What’s it imply once I say search for ‘entire meals’ components? Listed here are some examples:
CARBOHYDRATES – Dates, dried unsweetened fruits, whole-grain sources like oats, brown rice
PROTEIN – Pea protein, brown rice protein, eggs/egg whites, lean animal protein sources, whey protein isolate
HEALTHY FATS – Nuts, nut butters (ex: peanut butter, almond butter), seeds, sunflower butter
