Protein bars and protein shakes are becoming more popular as meal replacements for people who want to lose weight. They take the place of one or two meals a day, but are they really safe? There is some evidence that eating these bars can lead to other health problems such as malnutrition and other related diseases. Carry on reading to find out myths and facts about the protein bars.
Right now, there are tons of different protein bars on the market. Our top two choices are the built protein bars, which come with different flavors, have a low-calorie count, and are adapted to your dietary preferences, and the DIY protein bars, which will take up just 15 minutes to make, and a whole month to consume.
Benefits of protein bars
Protein bars can really benefit you if you consume them on a daily basis. But, just like with any other food, you shouldn’t consume too much. Later on, we will mention all the possible protein bar-related trouble over-consumption may cause, but right now, let’s focus on the benefits.
“Copyright: Unsplash | CC0 Public Domain”Energy levels are up and muscle mass starts showing
Protein bars have lots of valuable nutrients in them. They have protein, fat, fibers, and carbohydrates. Sugar is the main source of energy in our bodies. Since protein bars contain some levels of it, they are supposed to give us the energy to carry on with our chores for at least a couple of hours until we start feeling hungry again.
They are great for providing energy before a workout, or nutrients after a 1-hour workout session. They will give the muscles enough food to endure training and to repair and rest afterward.
Also, protein bars are a great way to help your body gain muscle mass. How is that possible? Well, muscles are made of protein. When we consume food rich in protein, we are more likely to gain some muscle mass and to look muscular and overall- stronger. The same goes for protein bars. Protein bars equal protein, which leads to more muscle.
Weight shifting
No matter if you want to lose, maintain or gain weight, protein bars are the right choice for you. The only difference is in how you consume them. For example, to lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit. That means you need to burn more calories than you eat in one day. In that case, you can replace a snack with a protein bar. To gain weight, you need to eat more and burn fewer calories in one day. For that matter, you need to add the protein bar to your regular diet, without restricting yourself at all.
Can protein bars replace a meal?
You can definitely try this one out by yourself. Protein bars make a good snack, but they would never replace a full, healthy, and balanced meal. It won’t necessarily harm you, but after a short while, you’ll be left starving. You will most likely overeat and you will gain weight.
Since you’re replacing meals with protein bars, we don’t think that weight gain is your goal. So, instead of replacing your breakfast or lunch with a bar, try replacing the afternoon snack with it. It will keep you full until your next full meal, and it will be healthier than eating a bag of chips.
“Copyright: Unsplash | CC0 Public Domain”Create a healthy meal with a protein bar
While protein bars don’t make a good meal replacement, they sure are a great addition to it. They will bring nutrients to your plate, and best of all, they will bring a different flavor. You can mix them up in your breakfast or even lunch.
For breakfast, you can grab a glass of yogurt, one fruit of your preference- apple, banana, kiwi, whatever you prefer, and your favorite kind of protein bar. That way, you have a healthy balanced meal to start your day. For lunch, you can grab your favorite salad and your favorite protein bar. Sounds like a weird combination, but the taste is amazing. A protein bar always makes a good snack to combine with your office coffee.
Downsides of protein bars
Protein bars can cause problems only when used incorrectly. For example, if you eat too many protein bars in one day, that would most likely lead to weight gain and related problems. Proteins in one bar are enough for one adult to satisfy the dietary needs for a whole day. There is no need to consume more than one or two protein bars a day.
Also, protein bars can be packed with sugar inside them, which would also cause a series of problems, such as high blood sugar, weight gain, and energy overflow. That is why you should find the best chocolate protein powder in Australia and always read the components of the protein bar you’re about to eat.