What should I look for in a protein bar?

Question

I want to lose weight, gain a little muscle and I see tons of protein bars for sale with varying amounts of protein, sodium, fat, calories, etc. How many calories for a protein bar is too many? What on the label should be a warning sign to stay away (calorie-wise, fat-wise, etc.)?

Answer 1

1. Set goals for yourself. You'll be better able to make a realistic weight loss plan if you know how much weight you want to lose.
2. Lose weight safely. When losing weight you have to pace yourself or risk damaging your health. Losing more than one pound per week is likely to adversely affect your body and you will probably just experience a yoyo effect.
3. Do cardio exercises. You can pick and choose which exercise you want to do, depending on your fitness level and drive. For example: walking, jogging, using the stair stepper, using cross training machines, swimming, tennis, and basketball.
4. Work on your stomach. Do sit-ups or crunches every morning and night, gradually increasing the number until you reach your goal.
5. Eat healthy snacks when you feel hungry between meal times. Healthy snacks would be things high in fiber, fruits and vegetables. Avoid high sugar and high calorie snacks. This will help you get nutrients as well as help lower your appetite so you won't overeat during meals.
6. Eat breakfast. Do not skip breakfast. If you don't have time to prepare breakfast, buy healthy breakfast bars or those smoothies on the go. It is important to eat breakfast to jump start your metabolism and give you energy for the day.
7. Drink at least 8 cups of water a day. Stay hydrated. While you don't need 8 cups of water a day to stay hydrated, it'll make sure you're hydrated as well as cut down on your hunger levels and force you to get a little bit more exercise (trips to the sink, water cooler, water fountain, and bathroom).
8. Increase your fiber intake. Fiber acts as negative calories. It's also filling and healthy for your digestive system.
9. Cut down on high calorie/sugar drinks. This includes sodas and fruit juices. If you're a heavy soda drinker, permit yourself to only one diet soda per day, maximum. Just one extra soda each day can add 15 pounds. Recently, fizzy drinks, even diet ones, have been said to slow down metabolism.
10. Eat slowly and chew more. Take time to enjoy your meals. This will help you to finish at the same time as others, and you'll not be tempted by a second helping. Also, chewing more will ensure you get the most out of all the food and it will be digested faster. The more you chew, the more your appetite will be satiated.
11. Look for foods that are low in saturated fats and refined sugar, and that provide calories based on whole grains and proteins. These will keep you feeling full for longer, and prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes. Simple carbs like white bread acts almost like sugar.
12. Eat less, but eat more often. If possible, eat 4-5 meals a day. This helps your metabolism and blood sugar to stay level as well. This does require a change in your schedule.
13. Eat smaller meals and eat less within 6 hours of your bed time. You're less likely to burn the calories closer to your bed time. It's fine to eat a large breakfast and lunch because your body will be working on burning those calories for the whole day. Large dinners are likely to go unburned and converted into fat.
14. Find active friends. Find people that will drag you out to do more active things. It doesn't have to be much, but any exercise even walking around the mall is better than none.
15. Do some weight resistance training. Weight training (and resistance training) can help reshape your body. If you just lose fat, your body will stay in the same general shape, just smaller. Incorporating weight training will help change your body shape as well as build muscle. The more muscle you have the higher your metabolism will be. unlike cardio, with weights you body contiues to burn calories even at rest. The reason for this is that when you lift weights you essentially break down the little fibres in the muscles and your body burns calories all night repairing the muscle.
16. Keep a photographic diary. Take a picture of yourself monthly or weekly if you are going to be very dedicated to weight loss. Be careful though, don't let the photographs discourage you.

Answer 2

Look for ones low in sugar (10-15 grams) and low in fat (5g or less preferably). Most protein bars range from 200-350 calories, so look for one that has a high protein-carb ratio. The one I have--America's Protein Bar Chocolate Peanut Butter--has 300 calories, 22 grams of carbs, and 30 grams of protein. I sacrafice a little in the 5 or 6g of fat, but gain in the taste.

Answer 3

You should look to see how much protein you are actually getting since bars vary. Then you should look for something that you like the taste of. Personally, the ones I really like are from Trim Advantage -- 23grams of protein per bar. You can get them at www.jewel.mychoices.biz

Answer 4

you should look for protein