Pros & Cons of Protein Bars

protein bars are kept on a chopping board

Protein Bars

Protein bars were considered one of the favourite supplements of those who were very bulky and muscular guys nearly turned the gym into their new home. Talking about today, more and more people who only want to stay in shape consume them every day. Women crave protein bars because they consider them as a healthier alternative to those sugar-filled candy bars that you can find everywhere.

Nowadays, protein supplements have become very popular since many men consume them for their daily protein intake while women have them in their gym bags as they are very healthy with great taste. 

But are protein bars really that healthy? Here, we will focus on their pros and cons as we will try to find out whether they are really healthy to have them or it is just a myth.

The Pros

  • The protein intake

According to some nutritionists, protein is the most important ingredient in these nutritious protein bars as it represents the key macronutrient for everyone who is looking to stay in shape. Protein keeps your metabolic rate in check, helps build lean muscle mass, and regulates hormonal levels.

It is recommended for people who want to improve their body-fat-to-muscle ratio should consume around 25 to 35 grams of protein at every meal. If you are among those people, for whom physical exercise and working out hard in the gym are essential activities.

If you are into building muscle, you should have your protein intake to 2 grams per pound of your body weight. Also, make sure to do enough push-ups, pull-ups, and chin-ups to boost quickly to your muscle mass. 

  • Protein bars are convenient

Just imagine spending an entire day cooking lots of protein-packed meals, dividing them into a separate box for each day of the week, keeping them cold, carrying them around with you where ever you go, and finally heating them up again and again. This is where protein bars win the ground. 

They are very convenient as they do not require any preparation, refrigeration, and are pretty small and easy to carry around. With busy lifestyles, these small supplements are the ideal choice when we want to make sure that we consume the ideal protein intake every day.

  • The nutrient intake

Nutrients are the very essential fuels for our bodies to function properly every day. Things like fiber, fat, and carbohydrates work significantly well when consumed along with protein. 

This mix maintains your energy levels, makes you feel full which can in turn helps in weight loss, and increases amino acid production which helps your muscles.

So protein bars are the perfect snack for before and after a difficult workout. 

  • Meal replacement

Protein bars are often seen as the quickest way to replace a meal, especially breakfast. 

While a protein bar doesn’t compare to a breakfast made with a variety of healthy whole foods, some may work well in a pinch.

If you’re looking for a quick breakfast on occasion, protein bars on the higher calorie end that don’t contain added sugar or hydrogenated oils can be a good option.

The Cons

  • Their sugar and caloric intake

Not many people who consume protein bars know that most protein bars usually contain over 30 grams of sugar. As in terms of calories, certain bars can have even more calories than a regular one. 

This is clearly not the best recipe to follow when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight and balancing your important body composition.

However, there are alternatives to those not-so-healthy protein bars and a solution would be to make them at home. 

  • The Additives

Apart from the sugar and calories, there are some protein bars that also contain lots of food additives. Some of those include partially hydrogenated oils, food colouring, artificial sugars, and high-fructose corn syrup.

To avoid these protein bars, look for some low-sugar alternatives made from the whole ingredients. You can also try vegan protein bars which are usually healthier with very little or no additives.

Replace your usual snacks with the nutritious yoga bar protein bar. Yogabar Variety is a scrumptious source of protein, filled with nourishing ingredients to replenish you with energy after a workout or during the dull hours of the day.

Features:

  • The best source of instant protein, energy and fiber
  • Contains nutrient-dense ingredients
  • Contains only natural sweetener 
  • Free of preservatives, artificial flavours or colours

Take Away

It is very important to set a goal and know exactly which protein bar is best for you. As you have seen, protein bars can have negative sides too. So, in case your bar is your main source of protein, look for one with more protein content in it. Avoid sugars by all means if you want to eat it before going to bed! The opposite of this applies if you’re looking for fuel during a difficult workout, sugar can provide that boost of energy. Finally, it’s all about finding a balance, and establishing what works best for you.

The significant purpose is to provide the body with essential protein and other nutrients, especially if you don’t get enough with food. Avoid those whose ingredients don’t differ much from a regular candy bar.

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