Protein Bars

Think about it...Are protein bars really healthy?

So, I have recently been getting back into the gym after a hiatus over the holidays. On my way home the thought came across my mind to just eat a protein bar because you know we never have enough time in a day. I just wanted to eat something quick so I could get back to the office. I ran to the store and was looking at all of the protein bars. It was astonishing the amount of sugar that they put into these bars! Well, when your are trying to keep in Ketosis and burn fat, you obviously can't have all of that sugar. Just in general you shouldn't eat that much sugar. Especially if you are trying to lose weight or get in shape or if you actually just want to be healthy.

These protein bar companies love to get there protein in the cheapest way possible and that usually means Soy protein. Soy is GMO! It also packed full of estrogen which can cause weight gain. (Side note: that's why women on birth control have a hard time losing weight, its because of the increase estrogen.) The average Carbs/sugar in the most common proteins bars was around 20-30 grams in one bar! That is usually more than I consume in a whole day.

They like to confuse the buyer and use alternate names for sugar. Some of the names include agave nectar, corn syrup, brown rice syrup, fructose, maltodextrin, evaporated cane sugar and many more. These bars are also filled with synthetic vitamins made in the lab. There isn't any fat in them, which is needed for fuel/energy with you are in ketosis. There is an older blog post about ketosis, so check it out to learn more.

All in all, these bars are actually a great way gain weight, although in an unhealthy manner. These bars are a great way to spike insulin and hold onto the fat you may be trying to get rid of.

If you are looking for a great protein bar check out the Quest Bar. They are all really low in carbs, around 3 net carbs in the lowest, and have around 20 grams of protein.

Hope this information finds you well and helps you to make better decisions about your diet! Need help with loosing weight the healthy way? Call 708-873-0069 and come in for a free consultation.