Let’s face it; there’s no denying that it can be pretty challenging to find healthier products than they are in reality. Even with labels that say organic, natural, and the like, these are all just part of a marketing tactic touting for nutritional value in general.
This is pretty common in goods like protein bars, which primarily sell because of their supposed nutritional content. And while it’s true that some of these products contain more sugar than most candy bars, there are still some that genuinely have lots of protein and calories suitable for most people who are always on the go.
However, with lots of protein bars on market shelves that make the same claim, it can be pretty tricky to spot which ones are healthy. So to help you choose the right bar for you, here are a couple of tips to give you a bit of a nudge in the right direction.
Look at All the Ingredients
It’s a no-brainer that one has to check on the list of ingredients of a particular food product before buying it. However, many people forget to do this when grocery shopping. Sometimes, even when individuals remember to check, they don’t know what to look for at all.
Protein bars only have a few ingredients. Thus, it’s not at all that tricky to go over them. And at the most basic level, there are only six components you have to consider: carbohydrates, protein, fiber, oils, and sugar. Take note of the amount of each ingredient per serving, then choose the bar with lower fat and sugar content.
It’s also vital to take note that there are certain ingredients you must avoid. Steer clear of protein bars with palm kernel oil, as it contains high saturated fat. If a bar has fructose or sucrose as the main ingredient, then you might as well just buy a candy bar instead. Additionally, avoid ingredients such as sorbitol, maltitol, and xylitol because they are known for laxative effects.
Beware of Carbohydrates
Indeed, carbohydrates serve as a primary energy source, so it might seem like a generally good idea to purchase protein bars rich in this micronutrient. However, carbohydrates only get broken down into sugar at the end of the day. Furthermore, they are stored as fat until the body uses them up as fuel.
For this reason, it would be pretty helpful to choose bars that have lesser carbohydrates. It’s also vital to remember that this micronutrient can also show up disguised as dextrose, molasses, honey agave, fructose, rice syrup, and many others. Don’t just focus on the protein and calorie content. Some protein bars have high amounts of protein and carbohydrates at the same time, so it pays to be careful.
Additionally, we understand that carbohydrates contribute to the taste of a protein bar. So if you really can’t avoid it, then it would be better to at least opt for ones that have less than 20 grams of carbs per serving.
Conclusion
You must make the tips above a habit in choosing protein bars and shopping for other food products in the market. Note that what you consume affects your health and body, so it’s essential to keep tabs on what’s in your food.
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