Nutrition bars: freinds or foe

Melissa Flederbach, Fitness Chick
Published On: 03/24/2008

Go to any supermarket or convenient store and you will be bombarded with a variety of nutrition bars (energy, low-carb, protein, meal replacement) and brands from Clif , PowerBar, Kashi, Pure Protein, and Luna, just to name a few. There are so many to choose from, all which claim to be good for you, so how do you know which ones are the best?
When deciding on what bar to buy you should consider whether or not you are looking for a snack or a meal replacement. Some bars can pack more than 300 calories and a load of sugar in them; this is more than the normal snack. Some of those bars are full of protein, but were also originally made for weight lighters, hence the high calorie count.

When you’re deciding on which bar to purchase it is best to aim for one that is relatively low in fat (two to three grams) and around 200 calories; ones higher in fiber will help keep you feeling full for a longer period of time.

My favorites include Luna Smores and Kashi Go Lean Chocolate Carmel. But I also know to only grab them when I’m in a hurry and not to rely on them as sufficient snacks/meals on a daily basis.

Overall, when you’re in a rush it is better to pick a nutrition bar over fast food, but these bars should not become a regular fixture in your diet. Instead try to pack a healthy lunch or keep some fresh fruit on hand to get the adequate amount of vitamins and nutrients you need.