Powerbar Harvest
Powerbar Harvest
Are protein bars really that good for you?
I am wondering what is all the hype about protein bars? are they truly good for you, as a snack or a meal replacement? I recenty tried Harvest Whole Grain powerbar, it had 10g of protein, 5 grams of fiber ok all good but it also had 18 grams of sugar. Could anyone give me a little insight on benefits of these bars?
I already do pretty well with my food choices, just sometimes with 2 kids, different schedules no time I was thinking this might help here and there. Thanks to whoever responds.
For most people, nutrition bars are neither good nor bad. All foods have calories, whether it comes at fat, carbohydrates, or proteins. What differs is the way these compounds get digested and metabolized. After they are metabolized, 1 gram of carbs and proteins give you ~4 cal, while 1 gram of fat yields ~9 cal. In addition, your body is designed to break down carbs quickly, while proteins take more time. If you eat only carbs, you have a quick rise in blood sugar, but will bottom out after a few hours. On the other hand, if you only ate protein, you won't see much of an increase in blood sugar until an hour or 2 later.
Nutrition bars are a convenient way to eat if you don't have the time to sit down an eat a well-balanced meal. But you need to beware of the amount of calories in 1 bar. Also, keep in mind that most adults already consume more protein that they actually need, so a high-protein bar may unnecessary. While these bars are safe for short term use, research shows that long-term use (>6 mos.) may actually be harmful.
Finally, these bars are often expensive, costing $2 (or more) per bar. Over time, this adds up. Consider a nice peanut butter & jelly sandwich (with whole grain, not white bread), fruit, yogurt, veggies, or nuts as a quick snack.
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153 Power Bar Triple Threat Bars Chocolate Peanut Butter | US $52.00 | 2d 17h 1m |
