Protein bars are gaining more and more popularity by the day. Whether the reason is weight gain, weight loss, or a simple snack, people are opting for them, as a healthy replacement for chips and candy. One of the favorites these days, the built bar is a protein bar that comes in various different flavors. With low-calorie count and high fiber and protein amounts, you cannot go wrong with them. Perfect for everyone’s taste!
Reasons to opt for protein bars
Now, there are many reasons why you would choose a protein bar as your snack. Do you struggle with weight loss, or do you want to gain weight? Do you simply like their taste, or you’re on a special diet that requires bigger amounts of protein? Maybe you’re an athlete that wants to fuel the body with energy pre or post-workout.
Benefits Of Consuming Protein Bars
Losing weight
Yes, protein bars can play a role in your weight loss journey. Usually, healthy diets recommend cutting back on refined sugar and getting bigger amounts of protein and fiber. Sure, the size of the portion that you take does matter but what matters more are the nutrients that you consume. Most of the time with junk food, we are consuming so-called empty calories. That means, we fill out the daily quota of 1500-2000kcal, but we are getting little amounts of nutrients. Our body doesn’t need calories, it needs sugar, protein, and healthy fats to function properly. With the empty calories we feel full only for a short amount of time, but feel really hungry soon.
Protein bars are a great way to replace an unhealthy snack. You can always find protein bars that contain sugar in them and added sweeteners. There are tons of different flavors, ranging from chocolate, vanilla, mint, to fruity flavors such as banana or raspberry. You won’t even notice the difference in what you’re eating, but your body surely will.
GAINING WEIGHT
Looking for weight gain? Again, the protein bar might be exactly what you need. Protein bars can play a role in both weight gain and weight loss. The main difference is in their consumption. If your goal is to gain weight, you need to eat more than you burn. In weight loss, you replace a snack with a protein bar. In weight gaining, on the other hand, you add the protein bar in the regular meal, or you eat the protein bar pre-workout. You can choose to eat protein bars that are richer in proteins and have a bigger calorie count, which is a big plus in your weight gain journey.
Gain Muscle Mass
Protein builds muscles. If you’re a body-builder, you’re aspiring to be one, or you simply want to increase the muscle mass, then, protein bars can come in handy. Look for the ones with bigger protein amounts in them. Also, consume high-protein foods.
Scientists recommend consuming 0.54–0.77 grams of protein per pound. Calculate that with your weight, and you get the right amount of protein for you to gain muscle mass.
Keep in mind that if you consume enough proteins you will have more energy and you will have better performance and duration during exercising.
Great Workout Fuel
Proteins and carbohydrates inside a protein bar are something that your muscles crave during a workout. If you consume a protein bar and work out soon after that, your body will thank you. You will notice that you have more energy and better performance. Also, post-workout, protein bars help your muscles recover and prepare for the next workout session.
Can Protein Bars Replace A Whole Meal?
It’s not recommended to replace meals with protein bars. Instead, you can combine both of them. You can have a protein bar with your healthy breakfast, or you can grab one for lunch. Just toss it in your bag when you leave the house and consume it when you feel like it.
Nothing can replace a well-balanced, healthy meal. It should have enough calories and nutrients that will keep you fuelled for at least a few hours. You can have a glass of yogurt and fruits with a protein bar on the side for breakfast, or some salad and a protein bar for lunch, but never replace a meal with a protein bar. It wouldn’t do any harm to you, but you will feel hungry soon after that. Protein bars as a snack are something totally different. Go for it!
Summary
Protein bars can be great when it comes to weight gain or weight loss. They can fuel your body for a workout, they are great when it comes to snacking. The one thing that they cannot replace is a balanced, healthy meal. Other than that, opt for them because they are taking you a step closer to a healthier lifestyle.