In today’s fast-paced world, eating a full meal sometimes becomes a luxury. This is probably why sports nutrition bars like those from OTE Nutrition have gained popularity.
These pocket-sized meals initially gained favor among serious athletes who want to get a competitive edge. Today, however, just about anyone who feels the need for a quick nutritional boost can have a few of these products stashed in their pockets.
But as with other foods, not all nutrition bars are created equal. Some contain high levels of carbohydrates, while others provide more protein. There are also brain-boosting bars, energy bars, diet bars, women-only bars, meal-replacement bars, and so on.
With so many products to choose from, consumers like serious athletes, exhausted moms, and workaholics may find the nutrition bar selection quite confusing.
If you’re facing the same dilemma, read on to know the facts about nutrition bars and what doctors and medical experts in the UAE have to say about choosing the right one for you.
Are nutrition bars good for you?
Nutrition bars are a godsend for people who race through the day, both literally and figuratively. They serve as a more convenient – even healthier – alternative to eating a doughnut or a vending machine snackwhen you’re hustling to get things done quickly.
Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that these bars should serve as a permanent replacement for actual meals. According to medical experts, these products should only be used as a supplement to your diet. That’s what they were made for in the first place.
An average protein bar usually contains five to 10 grams of fat, 25 to 35 grams of carbohydrates, and five to 10 grams of fiber. Aside from these, nutrition bars may also contain essential micronutrients, like B vitamins, calcium, potassium, and iron.
So, to answer the question in this section, nutrition bars could be beneficial for you. However, the extent will still depend on the type of bar, its ingredients, the brand, and what you hope to achieve with it.
How to Choose the Right Nutrition Bar for You
Since there are plenty of health bars out there, it could be hard for you to choose one that is most appropriate for your needs. To make things easier, here are five tips medical experts recommend:
1. Read the ingredients list.
When shopping for a health bar, make sure you look at the ingredients first. Take note that this should be done before you even scan the nutrition facts table as there are cases wherein the amount of macronutrients may look normal even with extra ingredients hidden in the numbers.
Be wary of extra sugar, fat, or other chemicals added to make the bar taste or look healthy. Despite what the label says, some of these may not actually be as healthy as you think. Some could even make the nutrition bar no different from a candy bar.
2. Consider what you need.
You also need to think about why you’re reaching for a nutrition bar in the first place.
Does it serve as a replacement for your meal? Or perhaps you take it as a quick snack or to supplement your healthy diet? Maybe you consume it to boost your athletic performance?
Your answer will serve as your guide in terms of what you need to look for in a bar. Some have higher levels of protein, while others are fortified with special ingredients, antioxidants, and micronutrients for better health.
If you’re looking to use them as a temporary meal substitute, go with health bars containing a minimum of 300 calories and 10 grams of protein. This should be sufficient to give you the energy and blood sugar you need to last throughout the day.
3. Watch out for sugar and fat.
Sugar and fat are not inherently bad. It’s just that too much could lead to inflammation and a higher risk of chronic ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
That said, you need to watch out for bars with very high sugar and fat content.
Take note that the ideal range varies depending on what you need. For meal replacement bars, you should go with those containing no more than four grams each of sugar and saturated fat. If it’s your snack, it should have no more than two grams of saturated fat or sugar.
4. Look for the right kind of fiber.
Fiber is crucial for healthy digestion. When buying a health bar, make sure it contains a minimum of two or three grams of fiber.
But be warned: Avoid products that contain chicory root as it artificially increases the levels of fiber in food products.
Read the ingredients list. Select bars that contain natural fiber sources, like vegetables, fruits, and nuts as these will surely give you exactly what your body needs.
Take extra care when eating fiber-rich bars during or prior to a rigorous workout. Doing so can increase your risk of gastrointestinal distress because your body will have a hard time breaking down fiber.
If you must eat a nutrition bar before an exercise, make sure you stick to those with three grams of fiber or less.
5. Be wise about the protein content.
Many bars offering “performance enhancement” tend to contain higher levels of protein than other nutrients, at around 20 grams or higher apiece.
However, if the bar serves as your meal substitute, it should contain 10 grams of protein. If it’s a snack bar, five grams or less should suffice.
While protein is indeed vital for muscle repair and growth, the amount necessary is not nearly as much as most people think. When it comes to this macronutrient, more isn’t necessarily better. This is because the body can store only so much protein and would eliminate the rest if you’ve consumed too much.
The Bottom Line
Nutrition bars are indeed good for you, as long as you choose the right one for every situation. Consider this article as a guide to choosing a good product and leading a healthier, more hassle-free life.