Energy bars shouldn't be candy bars!

Recently, I've noticed that a lot of the "energy" bars many health food stores carry (and heavily promote) these days sure do look a lot like expensive candy bars. They're full of refined sugars (often 20 or more grams of the stuff!) and often contain significant amounts of artificial sweeteners, colors, and other synthetic chemicals. Consuming that much sugar and chemicals at once is a good way to make sure you experience an energy crash within a short amount of time.

As a rule, it's almost always best to choose whole, natural foods over processed foods like these so-called energy bars. A handful of nuts and a piece of fresh fruit will give you as much lasting energy as any bar, and often more!

But if you really like the convenience and/or taste of energy bars, choose a healthy one based on these simple guidelines:

-- Less than 15 grams of refined sugar per bar (or even better: no refined sugar!)
-- Some protein and fiber (to slow the entry of the sugar into your bloodstream)
-- No artifical sweeteners (especially aspartame)
-- Around 200 or 300 calories per bar
-- Whole-food ingredients (eg. nuts, whole oats, dried fruits, etc.)

Fortunately there are a few decent "whole food" energy bars out there. You just have to look for them. And remember, if it tastes like a candy bar, it probably is!

Article:

Power Bars Are Just Expensive Candy Bars
by Dr. Gabe Mirkin

Do you think an Energy Bar will make you energetic, or that a Power Bar will build muscle? That's what their marketers want you to believe.

All foods give you calories (energy), but if you don't move and burn the calories you eat, you will store them as fat. How many Energy Bars do you think they'd sell if they called them Calorie Bars?

If you're running a marathon, cycling 100 miles or hiking all day, energy bars are a convenient way to get the calories you need. But if you're sitting at a desk feeling sleepy, the last thing you need is an "Energy Bar"! That blast of refined carbohydrates and sugar will raise your blood sugar, causing you to pump out insulin, store the calories as fat and feel tired and hungry again in half an hour.

Protein does not build muscle. YOU have to work against resistance to build muscle. When you build muscle, you use protein from the food you eat, but any extra protein you eat is stored as fat. A reasonably varied diet provides plenty of protein. If you are doing heavy weight training, you can eat a little more tuna, milk, beans or any other food source of protein. Protein bars, shakes and supplements are not better than food.

Energy bars are made of sugar, refined carbohydrates and fats, fortified with small amounts of vitamins and minerals– the nutritional equivalent of a cookie and about 1/6 of a multivitamin pill. Protein bars add milk or soy powder. They are not more nutritious than a bowl of cereal, and they cost a lot more.

Energy & Power Bars - $8.00-$20.00/pound $1-4/serving

Breakfast Bars - $6.00/pound $.75-$1/serving

Oatmeal Cookies $3.00/pound $.30/serving

Cheerios - $2.50/pound $.20/serving

Vitamin pill $.16/day

Whole grains - $0.89/pound $.05/serving

No bars provide "complete nutrition," and should not be used as substitutes for meals. They will not make you more muscular, thinner or more energetic. Eat a varied diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and other seeds, and treat these bars as cookies or candy bars – for occasional treats or convenient snacks during endurance sports.

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About the Author

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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Related:

Energy Bars Are Not Your Best Option

Tags: energy, food, energy bars