{"id":1344,"date":"2023-04-26T12:03:59","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T12:03:59","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-10-19T12:50:30","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T04:50:30","slug":"how-to-pick-healthy-protein-bars-a-nutritious-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/how-to-pick-healthy-protein-bars-a-nutritious-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Pick Healthy Protein Bars: A Nutritious Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the going gets tough, you go and get a protein bar. For many of us who don\u2019t have much time or mental capacity in the day to whip up a meal, this wonder snack is a convenient and tasty option to get our nutrition levels to where we need them to be. While they shouldn\u2019t replace your mainstay meals, a healthy snack every 2-3 hours<\/a> can do you some good.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re looking for a boost in energy in the middle of a taxing day at work or a quick protein fix to maximize gym results, there\u2019s never a protein bar that\u2019s out of reach. However, with how popular they are as snacks, some brands might include other additives like sugar to lure you into tastier options that may not be good for you.<\/p>\n

These brands won\u2019t out themselves, but there are a few things you can look out for in a protein bar\u2019s nutrition label to see if they\u2019re actually doing you any good.<\/p>\n

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What to Look For in a Healthy Protein Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the end of the day, we all have unique health goals that may have different nutritional requirements from our favorite snack. However, an important principle to keep in mind as you peruse your labels is to find a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, and should be low in sugar and calories.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break down a few of these key elements:<\/p>\n

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Protein<\/strong><\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t seem to warrant saying, but do inspect the amount of protein there is per serving. Protein is an essential nutrient that helps you recover from workouts and build yourself back stronger than before, among other functions<\/a>. You\u2019ll want a bar that contains around 15-20 grams of protein per serving<\/strong>. To be even more specific, you can see if your bar has any whey protein<\/a>, which might suit your specific nutritional and fitness needs.<\/p>\n

Carbohydrates & Sugars<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your first instinct might be to look for bars with as low of a sugar content level as you could possibly find. While you do want to limit your consumption of sugars to 50 grams a day as a broad suggestion<\/a>, you don\u2019t want 0 grams of sugars either. High levels of artificial sweeteners can lead to blood sugar spikes and crashes, but no source of healthy carbohydrates can also leave you without much of an energy boost. Instead, look for a reasonable carb to protein ratio, with complex carbohydrates like whole grains or fruits.<\/p>\n

Healthy Fats<\/strong><\/p>\n

While not essentially the key ingredient you\u2019re looking for in a healthy protein bar, don\u2019t forget to include your dose of healthy fats, too. Nuts, seeds, and avocado tend to do the trick and can help you stay fuller for longer.<\/p>\n

Other Nutrition Label Tips & Tricks<\/strong><\/p>\n