subject: A Post Workout Bar That's More Than A Candy Bar [print this page] A Post Workout Bar That's More Than A Candy Bar
Everybody from cereal companies, weight loss companies and muscle building companies are creating meal replacement and protein bars for a quick on the go snack. Of the taste only helps them, after all who can refuse a triple fudge and carmel protein bar? Of course these bars are labeled as being the best option for a quick snack after your workout routine or as a quick, on the go lunch. The only issue is that once you strip away the enriched vitamins, minerals and added protein, you're most often left with nothing more than a candy bar.Here is an unfortunate fun fact... over eight-five percent of these protein bars are loaded with sugar, loaded with saturated fats, and loaded with artificial sweeteners. And they lack the evidence to support their claims to help you burn more fat or tone more muscles. Luckily there is still that small group of bars out there that actually are great post weight training workout snacks to help your body recover and keep that metabolism burning calories. But the only way you will ever know if you're getting one of these bars is to become comfortable reading the back panel. Some bars classified as protein bars, may come up a bit short when you look closer. If they have under 10 grams of protein, then that's not much of a protein bar. For a post workout recovery bar, you need a good dose for your muscles, look for a bar that has over 15 grams and if you can get one that has around 20, then you're even better off. Believe it or not, not all protein is the same. After a workout you want fast absorbed protein, so look for words such as whey protein or casein protein. Having both labeled is definitely not going to hurt either. Second on the check list, avoid bars that have added sugar, fructose corn syrup or sugar alcohols. All of which can cause your blood sugar to spike and cause the body to store fat... also sugar alcohols can cause unflattering gas and even diarrhea, gross! And last, keep the ingredients basic. If you can't say what is in the food, then it's a safe bet to say it's highly processed and left uneaten. You want a bar that has the fewest ingredients, and ones you can actually say.
A few good examples include Kashi (The roll bars are my favorites), ProBars, LaraBars and Yogi Bars And one last note... sure the post workout snack is good, but it's all a reflection of the exercise routine.
