Match Your Energy Bar to Your Needs

Posted Wed, Jul 30, 2008, 11:51 am PDT

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Energy bars, granola bars, snack bars, nutrition bars, diet bars, protein bars, meal- replacement bars...whatever you call them, the bar you want depends on what you want it to do for you. Since the ingredients, calorie counts, fat grams, vitamins, and mineral values are all over the map, to get what you need you have to know what to look for. Here's a cheat sheet:

To Fuel a Long Workout Energy bars were originally invented to deliver a massive concentration of carbs to fuel marathoners or replenish a runner afterward. Yes, you could carry a potato in your pocket, but a bar that's high in complex carbs and fiber, too (at least 3 grams) will create less havoc in your blood sugar, and the benefits will last longer. Look for one like the Oatmeal Raisin Clif Bar, which attributes 70 percent of its 240 calories to carbs, plus 5 grams of fiber.

To Help Build Muscle First, look for 15 to 35 grams of high quality protein -- from whey, soy, casein and/or egg -- to give your body the building material needed to repair muscle fibers. Skip bars containing "hydrolyzed proteins," made from mysterious animal parts. Next, check the fat, especially the saturated fat. You want the least possible saturated fat, and definitely no more than 3 grams. One good choice: Nutrilite Trim Advantage Caramel Vanilla Protein Bars, with 22 grams of protein but only 1 gram of sat fat.

To Replace a Meal The built-in calorie and portion control of meal-replacement and diet bars can help you lose weight, say researchers ... as long as you really do replace one meal with one bar. As for nutrients, most meal bars have plenty of carbs and are usually fat-conscious, but check their protein. You need 50 grams or more a day, depending on how active you are. Some low-cal meal bars don't have much -- for instance, Slim-Fast Meal Options Breakfast & Lunch Bars (140 calories) have only 5 grams of protein. For about 100 more calories, you can get three times the protein (15 grams) in a Nutrilite Trim Advantage Meal Replacement Bar.

To Have a Healthy Snack Think "small is beautiful." A snack bar should be smaller than a meal-replacement bar, and you need to watch the fat and sugar (stay below 18 grams). Steer clear of those made with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which has all sorts of health and weight-gain issues. Some snack bars are as calorie-packed as a candy bar, so it's worth searching out a truly low-cal one, like PowerBar 110 Plus Pria. The various flavors weigh in at only 110 calories.

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13 Comments

1. Posted by Daniel Z on Thu, Jul 31, 2008, 1:13 pm PDT

Has anyone ever heard of Ostrim? I just tried one and they are great nutritionally.
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2. Posted by Vikie on Thu, Jul 31, 2008, 4:31 pm PDT

I like the Odwalla Food Bars...any flavor is good but the Choc-Walla bar is the best and it's all organic! :)
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3. Posted by t_jalyn on Wed, Aug 06, 2008, 2:01 am PDT

nothin
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4. Posted by Xocolate on Sat, Aug 09, 2008, 7:01 pm PDT

Ok, by now everyone knows my favorite. Xocai has an awesome protein bar, and if you aren't a protein bar fan add a little peanut butter to it and I guarantee you will love it. And the peanut butter adds more protein and healthy fats. And if it's high fiber you're looking for, get the all natural X PowerHouse cookie. Double chocolate chip with a hint of cinnamon. And all healthy, feel good about it stuff inside. Visit the MyFitChocolate website to try some.
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5. Posted by Kelly on Tue, Aug 12, 2008, 1:38 pm PDT

The Kashi bars taste really good-not like chalk! Also Luna bars are excellent, and not too high in calories.
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6. Posted by ihcuids on Tue, Aug 12, 2008, 4:50 pm PDT

I like Worldwide Sport Pure Protein bars. Lots of protein and very little sugar if any. And taste pretty good too.
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7. Posted by Dan on Sat, Aug 23, 2008, 1:44 pm PDT

my personal favorite is the kashi there pure organic, nothing fake, my second choice would be the cliff bars, there the next best thing
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8. Posted by Tassellady on Sun, Aug 24, 2008, 9:36 am PDT

All of the comments have good suggestions. Sometimes I use energy bars as a dessert at times, because I know exactly how many calories is in it, and I can work it into my diet plan. Ostrim sounds good. Maybe I can give it a try.
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9. Posted by wize.n.witty@att.net on Sun, Aug 24, 2008, 9:48 am PDT

The Kashi bars are best. They are all organic, with all the proper ingredient portions.
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10. Posted by amandapanda@flash.net on Sun, Aug 24, 2008, 9:59 am PDT

notin to say me jus a kid who dont eat breakfast!!
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11. Posted by dee s on Sun, Aug 24, 2008, 10:25 am PDT

myfitchocolate website looks like a "pyramid" sales deal to me. i just was interested in trying the product, not pushing it. great, now i will be contacted about this. the ostrim looks interesting, will get some at GNC and try it!
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12. Posted by elizamarkowska on Wed, Sep 03, 2008, 4:01 pm PDT

I like the ones from Herbalife. You can only get them through distributors but I think it is so much better in proteins, calories and its natural! I usually get the citrus flavor.
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13. Posted by elizamarkowska on Wed, Sep 03, 2008, 4:01 pm PDT

I like the ones from Herbalife. You can only get them through distributors but I think it is so much better in proteins, calories and its natural! I usually get the citrus flavor.
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