Do you’re feeling overwhelmed by what number of protein/power bars there are in the marketplace?! What substances it’s best to search for? Which do you have to attempt to avoid? Listed below are some tricks to make your procuring 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 essential, the mandatory quantities differ from individual to individual relying on well being standing, way of life, 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-about to be a “good supply”. If it comprises 20% or extra, it’s thought-about an “wonderful supply”.
Search for bars with a minimum of 10 grams of protein and for those who plan to make use of it as a pre or post-workout snack, a minimum of 20 grams of carbohydrates.
THE INGREDIENT LIST – Earlier than I have a look at the vitamin details, I first examine the substances. This may let you know the place these grams are coming from. For instance, are the grams of sugar coming from complete meals sources like dates? Or from refined sugar and corn syrup? And are the fat coming from complete 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 include synthetic sweeteners, sugar alcohols (maltitol, erythritol, xylitol), and artificial fibers that may trigger GI points (bloating, fuel, diarrhea) mid-workout. Tolerance degree of synthetic sweeteners and sugar alcohols will differ relying on the athlete.
Substances are listed so as by weight. Heavier, denser substances might be listed first adopted by lighter substances. 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 might be listed first attributable to weight.
Look For Entire Meals Substances
What’s it imply after I say search for ‘complete meals’ substances? Listed below 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
