SPORTS BARS…WHICH ENERGY BAR IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Energy bars look tempting, especially when you are pressed for time, but how do you choose among them? First, there was the PowerBar. Now, there is just about every type of bar from weight-loss to high protein to meal replacement, to boost your energy level, to high and low-carb, to the new Zone bars. To break it down simply for you…all of these bars have one thing in common…energy! These bars provide you with calories…any food item with calories translates into energy! These bars will not make you more energetic than the same calories provided by a bagel! And, at 200 calories a bar, the "diet" bars will not make you lose weight either.
So why eat these sports bars?
- Convenience-in today's eat-and-run society, where meals are a rare occurrence in a busy schedule, a sports bar can provide a nutritious snack. Also, it is better than choosing a candy bar or skipping a meal which is often less nutritious.
- Sports bars are portable! They are compact and light, these vitamin enriched bars are very convenient for runners who want to carry a snack on a long run, hikers who want a light snack to throw into a backpack, or commuters who want to eat breakfast in the car on the way to work!
- Price-the cost of the bars range from under a dollar to three dollars a bar! A price that is affordable to most as a meal replacement bar!
- Sports bars…a great way to boost energy and endurance. Actually, the energy boost is associated with eating 200-300 calories not because of ingredients like chromium or amino acids. These calories usually include some form of sugar, but clearly better than no snack at all. Remember, calories provided from foods like: Fig Newtons, graham crackers, bagels and bananas are also effective pre-exercise energizers!
- Some sports bars boast about a higher fat content! This supposedly promotes greater fat burning to help you lose body fat and exercise longer! To date, there is no research to support that pre-exercise fat enhances weight loss. However, one advantage of including a little fat in the pre-exercise snack may be for sustained energy for people exercising over 90 minutes.
How about taste?
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Energy Bar
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Eat this bar
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Avoid
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Taste
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Price
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Calories
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Similar to
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Met-Rx Big 100 Bar Choc. Chip Cookie Dough
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If you avoid meat—it is heavy on milk, whey and egg proteins
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If you are trying to lose weight—it packs a lot of calories
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Tastes like molasses-softer than most; strange after-taste
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$2.59
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350
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Honest Protein Bar
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Clif Bar Cranberry Apple Bar
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If you cannot meet your five-a-day for fruits and veggies…this contains 5 g. fiber…more than most
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If you shun carbs!
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Granola-bar like- raisin- grain flavors; not as sweet as some.
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$1.59
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220
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Gatorade Energy Bar; PowerBar
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Luna Sesame Raisin
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Whether you’re male or female---the extra calcium is a bonus
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Eat up..no reason to pass on this bar!
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Crunchy granola-type bar with pleasing nut flavors; sweet.
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$1.69
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170
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Pria Oasis
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Balance Gold Rocky Road
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If you need something to fill you up—the 7 g. fat in this bar will keep you feeling full longer.
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If you are about to exercise—its higher fat and protein content could cause cramping.
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Chocolate-coated bar with caramel layer and chocolate flavor; slightly chalky flavor; leaves a bitter aftertaste
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$1.49
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210
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Zone Bar
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AARP May & June 2003
Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook