Nutrition Bars: The Good, The Bad, And The Crunchy

There are several different nutrition bars on the market today and they go by many names such as “energy bar”, “protein bar”, or “meal replacement bar.”

Nutrition bars are larger in weight than snack bars (such as granola) or candy bars (such as chocolate) and typically have more protein. However, some “fiber bars” contain very little protein because that is not their focus.

Depending on what you are looking for and what your dietary needs are, find the bar that is right for you.

If you need a quick 100 calories to hold you over before dinner that’s in an hour, a snack bar would be your best choice. It has fewer calories and very little protein so you know you will still be hungry for dinner. Watch out for the added sugar!

If you are working all day and realize you won’t have time for lunch, grab a meal replacement bar that is more balanced to get you through the day.

If you have been working all day and on you’re way to the gym, grab an energy bar to get you through your workout.

If you need a balanced snack between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner, a protein bar might be a good choice for that situation, but watch out for added sugar!

Here is a list of good nutrition bars to choose from:

·      Energy bars– Balance Bar (Cookie Dough), Clif Bar Energy (White Choc. Macadamia Nut), Power Bar Performance Energy (Choc. Peanut Butter)

·      Fiber bars– Fiber One Chewy Bars (Oats & Choc.), Gnu Foods Flavor & Fiber (Cinnamon Raisin)

·      Protein bars– Garden of Life fucoProtein (Peanut Butter Crunch), GNC Pro Performance Pro-Crunch (Cookies & Cream), GNC Pro Performance Pro-Crunch Lite (Choc. Peanut Butter), Marked Protein Bar (Choc. Peanut Butter), Quest Bar Protein Bar (Banana Nut Muffin), Nature Valley Protein (Peanut Butter Dark Choc.)

·      Meal Replacement bars– Glucerna Meal Bar (Choc. Peanut), GNC Total Lean Breakfast Squares (Oatmeal Choc. Chip), Larabar (Apple Pie), Probar Meal (Superfood Slam)