Energy Bars: How Do They Stack Up?

By Nutrition
Expert

Monday, August 13, 2012.

They’re
everywhere. You walk into a supermarket or corner shop and your senses are
assaulted by colourfully wrapped bars that promise you everything from energy
to weight loss.

But are these hyped treats handy health foods or
little more than candy in fine clothing? Mr. Bad Food decided to go bar hopping
– with a little help from a few nutritionally savvy friends.

Before parting with your pennies, bear in mind that
the word ‘energy’ on any label simply means that the food supplies calories,
not that eating it will make you more energetic.

Those in the know suggest you stick to eating
healthy, whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Why? Well, for one thing,
natural foods contain the good stuff not added to most bars. Our nutritionist,
registers a split decision.

“I’m of two minds when it comes to meal
replacement bars and shakes,” she tells me. “On one hand, they are
convenient, they are portable, they are portion-controlled, and they are
effective when used as part of a balanced eating plan”

“But all meal replacement bars are not created
equal. Some contain enough sugar and fat to be called candy bars. Others are
extremely high in protein and that’s unnecessary for all but the uncommon
person who’s expending so many calories in exercise that more protein,
carbohydrate and fat are called for.

“For some people, dieting is easier when
including these sweetened snacks, but often they’re too low in calories to be
true meal replacements.”

“As part of a healthy diet, meal replacement
bars can satisfy your occasional craving. They can also help people maintain
their prescribed calorie allotment for the day, whether they’re trying to lose
weight or maintain their weight.

“Most bars won’t provide all the nutrition
necessary for good health, so think about drinking a glass of semi-skimmed milk
with that bar, or grabbing a very portable low-fat yogurt too.

“And always read the nutrition information on
the label before buying a meal replacement. Some bars are coated with sugar
mixed with hydrogenated fat. When you’re constantly on the go it can be
difficult to stick to proper weight loss nutrition needs. Many people turn to
nutritious bars for quick energy, snacks or meals, but which should they
choose? It depends on your nutritional needs.

Energy bars

Developed in the 80s for people engaged in
high-endurance activities such as hiking or sports involving running, energy
bars usually have a mix of simple and complex carbohydrates. Some have
moderate-fat levels, while others contain quite a bit of fat. Many are vitamin-
and mineral-enhanced, but those levels can vary widely between brands.

Generally speaking, this is not a good choice for
people trying to lose weight unless they’re doing it combined with high
intensity exercise.

Nutrition bars

The line is fuzzy between energy bars and nutrition
bars, but often nutrition bars have a bit less sugar and a little more vitamin
enhancement. They can be used for meal replacements, but it’s important to also
incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into meal planning.

The best advice for purchasing a nutrition bar is
to read the nutrition information on the label. If it has more sugar or fat
than you’re comfortable with, there are many other bars from which to choose.
Also, many nutrition bars could not be considered a low-calorie or low-fat
snack choice, although there is an increasing amount of low-carb nutrition
bars.

If you’re tempted by a low-carb bar, have a quick
look at the length of the ingredients list. You probably won’t even have heard
of three quarters of the ingredients so it’s probably better to arm yourself
with something a little more familiar.

If you want a snack and a nutrition bar seems to be
the best available choice, try eating just half of one and saving the other
half for the next snack.

Meal replacement bars

The name is self-explanatory. These are designed to
replace a meal so they contain a meal’s worth of calories. However, they’re
easily digested so it’s a good idea to pair them with a piece of fruit so
you’re not ravenous before the next meal.

In conclusion, it’s best to not rely too heavily on
any of these types of bars for snacks or even entire meals. Having them a
couple of times a week is ok as long as you don’t allow them to stand in the
way of a healthy balanced diet.

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