Protein bars: Good or bad?

[amazonchick]

Ok, a lot of the protein bars out there are a glorified Snickers bar. I get that. What about higher quality bars like the Clif bar? Is there any merit or value in them whatsoever? Yes, it is a convenience thing and that is why I like them, but it seems more and more like convenient eating= bad for training. Is there any place for them in a clean diet? If not, are they unclean then? LOL (that sounds so biblical!)

[kramer73]

Ok, a lot of the protein bars out there are a glorified Snickers bar. I get that. What about higher quality bars like the Clif bar? Is there any merit or value in them whatsoever? Yes, it is a convenience thing and that is why I like them, but it seems more and more like convenient eating= bad for training. Is there any place for them in a clean diet? If not, are they unclean then? LOL (that sounds so biblical!)

I eat 2-3 bars a day. Better than chips and beer thats for sure.

[Ravenous_T]

Even the better quality ones are pretty much crap. If you truly want to eat clean, they have no place in your diet. If you don't mind eating dirty, want a treat once and a while, or are dirty bulking, then they're fine.

[amazonchick]

Dirty bulking.....I love all these new terms. Thanks for all the advice ladies!

[kramer73]

Even the better quality ones are pretty much crap. If you truly want to eat clean, they have no place in your diet. If you don't mind eating dirty, want a treat once and a while, or are dirty bulking, then they're fine.

I couldn't disagree more with that statement.

[BodyBuildinBrat]

YUCK! Treat?! Geez, if I was going for a treat I'd be all over the Snickers candy bar! Most of those taste like crap, even with the high amounts of sugar they usually contain. I do like the Snicker's Marathon Protein bars, and those aren't too bad. If I include them in my diet, I do it in the morning....they have about 36g of carbs with 13g of sugar, but 7 of those are fiber. It has 26g of protein and 7 grams of fat. Which fit well into my diet. The sugar is somewhat high, but that is why I have it in the morning.

[imperfectly_lou]

Even the better quality ones are pretty much crap. If you truly want to eat clean, they have no place in your diet. If you don't mind eating dirty, want a treat once and a while, or are dirty bulking, then they're fine.

I agree to a certain extent.... I agree that excessive protein bars have no place in a truly clean diet, but 1-2 a week is probably OK... 2-3 bars a day is ridiculous! All those cals, sugar and hydrogenated fats for a whole, what, 90g of protein??? Go grab a can of tuna and save your $$$

[kramer73]

I agree to a certain extent.... I agree that excessive protein bars have no place in a truly clean diet, but 1-2 a week is probably OK... 2-3 bars a day is ridiculous! All those cals, sugar and hydrogenated fats for a whole, what, 90g of protein??? Go grab a can of tuna and save your $$$

Oh yes I'm going to sit at my desk at my job and eat a can of tuna?

[imperfectly_lou]

Oh yes I'm going to sit at my desk at my job and eat a can of tuna?

why not? Most of us do! :)

There are plenty of healthier snacks! Actually, with the amount of cals in most protein bars, you could have a decent meal!

Cottage cheese mixed with high protein cereal or almonds/walnuts
A protein shake and a serving of nuts

I could go on and on...

[someday]

why not? Most of us do! :)

There are plenty of healthier snacks! Actually, with the amount of cals in most protein bars, you could have a decent meal!

Cottage cheese mixed with high protein cereal or almonds/walnuts
A protein shake and a serving of nuts

I could go on and on...


exactly!

this is the difference between people who say they eat healthy and the people who actually do!

[imperfectly_lou]

exactly!

this is the difference between people who say they eat healthy and the people who actually do!

and the difference between those people who choose bodybuilding as a lifestyle, as opposed to those who just want big biceps

[kramer73]

exactly!

this is the difference between people who say they eat healthy and the people who actually do!

ok don't get all snobbish -- post your pics if your such a 'healthy' eater.

[imperfectly_lou]

someday's pics:

Nice work by the way girl... you are HOT :)

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=157012

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=157014

[kramer73]

someday's pics:

Nice work by the way girl... you are HOT :)

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=157012

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=157014

wow! impressive! I STAND CORRECTED!!!!!!!!! she looks better than me!

[someday]

ok don't get all snobbish -- post your pics if your such a 'healthy' eater.


i'll be honest, when i first started out i ate them all the time, they got me into the habit of eating small portioned meals. now, they are a treat!

[kramer73]

i'll be honest, when i first started out i ate them all the time, they got me into the habit of eating small portioned meals. now, they are a treat!

cool cool - i just positive repped you.

[mussy]

Yea, honestly I used to eat them all the time, at least one or two a day. It wasn't till I started traing for my first comp that I realized what a truly healthy diet is (not that I dont have slip-up or cheats now and then). I can't remember when the last time I had a bar was. Plus-they are so expensive.

[squat-thrust]

When I do opt to have a bar, I stick with PowerBar Protein Plus No Sugar Added Mocha Almond, EHN (maker of Greens+) Protein+ Vital Vanilla bar or the Nitro-Tech Carb Control Chocolate Peanut butter chunk bar. They have less than 200 calories and 5 grams of fat each, and have anywhere from 14 to 20 grams of protein, which isn't a lot for a protein bar, but for the calorie content, it is pretty good.

The Weider bars are also a good try, too. I've had them once or twice before, and they are pretty good. The LifeBrand High Protein Bar here at Shoppers in Canada is also alright. It's cheap and doesn't taste too bad.

[featherz]

I make my own bars. Not perfect but good for when you need bars.

3 cups oats (save out 1/3 cup from this)
8 scoops protein powder (flavor of choice)
1 cup hood low carb milk
1 small package FF/SF pudding (flavor to match)

Mix together, divide into 8 bars, roll bars in remaining oatmeal.

248 cals, 4 fat, 27 carb, 28 protein, 3 fiber.

Even my husband will eat them and he's really finicky.

[mhschiefs97]

try the new detour energy/protein bars. they have smores and peanut butter flavor. peanut butter flavors better. i eat 1 half hour b4 every workout.

[VanillaBean_21]

If I have to go somewhere and I do not have time to pack something or have to eat something quick. I will get a protein bar. I normally do not eat them. If I do, it's less then one per week(except for this week I completely messed up).

[ms_mac]

I really love Tri-o-plex bars. Still not great, but one of the better protien bars around. They have some yummy flavors, too. Smores and cookie dough are my favorites. These are really high in calories - about 450- so I usually have one for 2 meals.

[ali35]

I confess that I eat them. I used to eat nothing but cereal and bagels so it's an improvement, but I know they aren't the best...

[someday]

I make my own bars. Not perfect but good for when you need bars.

3 cups oats (save out 1/3 cup from this)
8 scoops protein powder (flavor of choice)
1 cup hood low carb milk
1 small package FF/SF pudding (flavor to match)

Mix together, divide into 8 bars, roll bars in remaining oatmeal.

248 cals, 4 fat, 27 carb, 28 protein, 3 fiber.

Even my husband will eat them and he's really finicky.

these sound great!
i'm cutting for a show so i can't have them right now, but i'm gonna remember this recipe.

[Hibiscus09]

I never eat them anymore. I just prefer real food and think it's much better for me. A little over a year ago, however, I was addicted to DeTour Bars. LOL Nothing but a candy bar.

[VanillaBean_21]

I really love Tri-o-plex bars. Still not great, but one of the better protien bars around. They have some yummy flavors, too. Smores and cookie dough are my favorites. These are really high in calories - about 450- so I usually have one for 2 meals.

Ive had the smores one before. It was really good!

[StlBarbie]

Hello.. My name is Barb and I am addicted to protein bars!

However, that recipe looks fantastic and I can't wait to try it! It could be the best of both worlds........lol!

[MissKristi]

just make sure your looking at the sugar....many of those bars are total s*it! anything over 12g is definelty not a good choice...u may as well eat a candy bar and take some vitamins.

[imperfectly_lou]

just make sure your looking at the sugar....many of those bars are total s*it! anything over 12g is definelty not a good choice...u may as well eat a candy bar and take some vitamins.

Agreed!

[Thuirwyne]

I tell you what; I was eating a Trioplex bar every day for about 2 months, and I stopped about 3 weeks ago. I didn't change anything else in training or diet and I'm already leaner!

[Alinasmommy]

I like having a couple in the house for emergencies....last night for instance I was craving something sweet. Instead of binging on half a box of cereal or my 4 year old's ice cream sandwhiches in the freezer, I had a Pria bar. It is not chock full of protein as the others, but it is only 110 calories (can't remember the other nutrient breakdowns but it is low in sugars) and totally took care of my sweet cravings.

[jeni5.0]

i use them for sweet cravings also, but i eat luna bars. i have 2 a week max, but usually just one a week or none at all. they arent really protein bars, but there are 10 grams of pr in them, and they arent high in sugar.

[luckee001]

http://www.jayrobb.com/jayroorpebub.html


check out these... they are EXTREMELY clean
i dont see any problem with having one of these daily.

[amazonchick]

thanks Luckee....there seems to be a wide variety of protein bars available with a wide range of ingredients. Clif bars seem pretty darn clean too! I just have to work out early before my kids wake up, and can't run a blender to do whey (and shaken whey in the morning doesn't agree with my belly!). They are quick for me to feed on before I hit the gym, and I can find them online for good prices if I buy by the box.They have a 4-1 ration of carbs to protein. Maybe they would be a better recovery snack?

[Ripped85]

You're better off making your own protein bars...get oatmeal, natty peanut butter, whey protein...smoothe it in a pan and throw it in the fridge over night...it should be hard the next day..then cut it into squares..tastes good and there's no junk in it.

[StlBarbie]

I am determined to try this and get all natural............. commercial protein bars are my last bastion of rebellion lol.....!!!! I like the peanut butter and oat thing... I think I could really sink my teeth into that! :D

[Ripped85]

and if you wanna bulk..throw some honey in there ^_^