The Truth about Energy Bars:
What are
the real facts about energy bars? There are so many on the market it takes up
an entire isle in the supermarket. But, are they really good for you?
Will they
give you the energy you need to make it through that morning or afternoon slump?
Will eating
an energy bar help you to power and pump up your workout?
If you eat
an energy bar, will you loose weight?
Or are they
just a “natural and healthy” substitute for a snickers candy bar or a handful
of m&m’s?
I have found that energy bars fall roughly into the
following categories: 1) bars geared toward the average consumer, usually
fortified with extra vitamins or minerals; 2) natural bars, comprised of
organic or whole foods; 3) and bars that contain a little more protein for more
stringent exercisers or hard-core athletes.
What should you look for in an energy bar? It can change,
depending on individual needs -- whether you are eating a bar for sustained
energy or simply a snack. For instance, if you need a quick energy boost before
an intense workout, you should select a bar that's high in carbohydrates and
low in fiber and fat. Unlike quick-burning, energy-fueling carbs, fiber and fat
take longer for your stomach to digest, which can make exercise uncomfortable.
Additionally, fiber slows the rate at which carbohydrates are burned for
energy, which can hinder a person's get-up-and-go. On the other hand, if you simply
want a snack, you should select energy bars with higher levels of fiber, since
heftier amounts of this nutrient make foods more filling.Ok, so a quick “cheat sheet” re: what should you look for in a “bar”?
An ideal bar should have:
· A ratio of 3:1 (carb:protein), for
example if a bar has 36 grams of carbs: 12 grams of protein. Protein slows the
rate at which carbs are burned.
· At
least 3 grams of filling fiber, which satisfies hunger
· Less
than 3 grams of saturated fat
· No
more than about 18 grams of sugar
· Absolutely
no trans fat
Some
good bars to look for include:
Cliff bars
Powerbar Harvest
Powerbar
Nut Natural
Promax Bar
Protein
Plus
Luna Bar
Pria Bar
Kashi TLC
Soy Joy Bar
Cliff Kid Z
Bar
Larabar
Cliff
Nectar Bar
ProBar
Jocalat Bar
For more
information, contact Rachel@livehealthynyc.com
