Is It Bad To Eat A Protein Bar Everyday?
Protein bars are a popular and convenient way to add more protein to your diet: They're a great source of vitamins and nutrients and can easily be eaten on the go. But are they actually good for your health?
Most protein bars contain dried fruit, dates, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and other sources of protein like yogurt powder and egg whites. They also tend to be around 150 to 200 calories each and contain 10 to 20 grams of protein. Protein bars can be a good source of calcium, potassium, vitamin B, fiber, and iron. They can also help you gain muscle mass and can even promote weight loss. In addition, protein bars can be a good meal replacement or post-workout snack. Sounds good, right? Maybe not.
Since the nutritional composition of protein bars varies across different flavors and brands, it's a good idea to check the list of ingredients before you make any purchases: some protein bars are so high in calories and added sugar or even high-fructose corn syrup that they might as well be in the candy aisle. This can potentially increase your risk of diabetes, fatty liver disease, and obesity when consumed in excess! Additionally, while the fat in some protein bars often comes from whole nuts and seeds, others use highly processed plant oils, like palm, canola, peanut, or soybean oil.
The verdict? Eating one protein bar per day is perfectly fine as a supplement to your daily protein intake, especially after a workout. But they should not replace actual food. Here's what to look for if you're going to eat one:
Protein Bar Checklist
CALORIES: Some protein bars ontain two servings per package and about 500 calories total. Make sure that if you're eating a protein bar as a snack, it actually has a "snack-size" number of calories.
INGREDIENTS: The fewer the ingredients the better.
PROTEIN: If you're eating protein bars to up your protein intake rather than just as a convenient snack, then this one is key. So make sure you are not eating an energy bar…that’s different! The ideal bar is going to provide at least 10g of protein for every 100 calories.
FAT: Be sure to check the fat content and see if more of the calories are coming from fat or protein.
SUGAR/CARBS: Look for a bar that has at least 5 grams of fiber and less than 5 grams of added sugars.
What’s your favorite protein bar? Let us know in the comments below.