How to Choose A Protein Bar at the Grocery Store
I thought we should share a great tip from our friend, Meg, the Corporate Nutritionist @ My Fit Foods. It applies to so many of us!
When you are grocery shopping and you hit the protein bar aisle, you probably just sit and stare at the endless variety for a moment. Or maybe you have a favorite that you always choose but wonder if it’s really just a somewhat healthier version of a candy bar. I often tell people that if you are stuck traveling or without a snack to get a protein bar at a convenient store for an emergency snack, but which ones are actually healthy and which ones are not?
Compare these two bars:
Protein Bar A: Protein Bar B:
Calories: 200 Calories: 190
Saturated Fat: 4 grams Saturated Fat: 2 grams
Carbohydrates: 25 grams Carbohydrates: 23 grams
Fiber: 3 grams Fiber: 5 grams
Sugar: 16 grams Sugar: 8 grams
Protein: 14 grams Protein: 14 grams
Many of you would pick up these two bars and looking at the Nutritional Facts think that they were both quite similar. You might go for Protein Bar B because it has less sugar and a little more fiber. If you are a label reader you would read these ingredients next:
Protein Bar A:
Caramel (Corn Syrup, Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil, Glycerine, Milk Protein Concentrate, Cream, Natural Flavor, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Disodium Phosphate), Soy Protein Nuggets (Isolated Soy Protein, Tapioca Starch, Salt), Milk Chocolate Flavored Coating (Sugar, Palm Kernel Oil, Nonfat Dry Milk Solids, Cocoa Powder, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Natural Flavor), Corn Syrup, Gum Arabic, Guar Gum, Sodium Caseinate, Glycerine, Peanuts
Protein Bar B:
Boundless crunch(tm) whey Protein [whey protein crisps (Whey Isolate, whey protein concentrate, tapioca starch), whey protein concentrate (rBGH-free), Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic oats, Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla), Inulin (Chicory Root Fiber), Vegetable Glycerin, Molecularly Distilled Fish Oil (Anchovy, Sardine, Talapia gelatin), Sunflower Oil, almond butter, natural flavors, Natural Cocoa Powder, milk minerals, antioxidant blend (Green Tea Extract, Lo Han Fruit Extract, and Natural Vitamin E),non-GMO soy lecithin, sea salt.
If you read closely you will now know which Protein Bar is really just a candy bar in disguise. Protein Bar A (which is a Zone Perfect Bar) lists sugar and corn syrup both twice and although it shows zero Trans-fats, it really does list “fractionated palm kernel oil” which means you are dealing with a damaged oil and it is a Trans-fat. You should also look for “hydrogenated oil” when looking for these deadly oils. Avoid them at all costs in packaged products.
Protein Bar B is the Oatmega Bar by Boundless Nutrition.
This is not only the cleanest bar you can find out there but it’s Whey based (much better then soy protein) and contains 300 mg of Fish oil (you won’t taste it!) and also the equivalent of 4 cups of the active powerful component of Green Tea (EGCG) without the caffeine. It also has as much fiber (5 grams) as a large apple. What you won’t find is any hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, or sugar. Oatmega Bars taste so fabulous and crunchy too because they are sweetened with Organic Brown Rice Syrup (which is a low glycemic index sweetener). With both sugar and corn syrup used to sweeten the Zone Bar, you can bet that it’s high glycemic index which is only going to send your blood sugar soaring just like that candy bar you were avoiding.
We love our Oatmega Bars! Thank you to Trevor Ross, the found of Boundless Nutrition, for designing such a healthy, clean, nutritious and yet delicious bar for those of us on the go!
To Your Health!
Meg McCall
My Fit Foods Corporate Nutritionist
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I have been buying protein bars for years and these are by far the VERY BEST on the market for taste and quality. I cycle quite a bit and these bars are great on rides, provide a good boost of energy and don’t melt in my pocket. I am hooked and won’t buy any other brand. Thank you so much for creating a quality product right here in my own backyard!!
16.02.2012, 10:30 am