Choosing a Protein Bar

Jul 16, 2013

It should be easy, right? 

There are so many choices! Obviously, protein bars are the way to go. Right? 

Well. No. 

Choosing the "right" protein bar is complicated, precisely BECAUSE there are so many choices. Walk into the Vitamin Shoppe, GNC, or browse online and it's easy to get overwhelmed. And that's before you actually open the wrapper and decide if the darn thing even tastes good!

Here are the guidelines I use when choosing a protein bar:

No more than 200 calories per bar. 

Aim for 20 g. of protein, or as close as I can get.

No more than 5 g sugar, and preferably no more than 7 g sugar alcohols. My surgeon recommended only 2 g of sugar per serving early out from surgery; I know now that I can tolerate more, but the truth is that many of these "protein" bars are little more than a candy bar in disguise, so I keep the sugar as low as I can. I have also learned that too many sugar alcohols really bother me, so I keep that number as low as I can as well. 

That's a pretty simple equation, but I like to stay alert to the fact that protein bars are often loaded with artificial ingredients.

That brings me to my favorite recommendation, original Quest bars. While a bit pricey, Quest bars are my #1 choice. They meet all the criteria I've listed above, have no sugar alcohols, and a fairly short list of ingredients.  

Next on the list are Pure Protein bars, which are easily available at WalMart and Costco. You won't mistake a Pure Protein bar for a chocolate bar, but they have a good solid protein content. I keep a box on my pantry shelf and use them periodically for a breaktime snack at work. 

0 Comments

About Me
41.9
BMI
RNY
Surgery
07/15/2009
Surgery Date
Sep 02, 2008
Member Since

Friends 76

Latest Blog 3

×