Here at food circle, we absolutely love protein bars, they are tasty, nutritious, and convenient with such a wide variety to choose from. So, what’s not to love?!
But the question is, are you choosing the bar that is right for you? Here we are going to look into whether protein bars are good for you, how to make them, if protein bars are good for weight loss and how many you should actually be consuming on a daily basis.
So, let’s get started…
- Are protein bars good for you?
Good question! But it depends on what you mean by “good for you”! It’s best if we look at the benefits of consuming protein bars, and why people do so. Protein bars are packed full of, well, protein (duh!), which aids in muscle recovery after exercise, help fuel your body with essential amino acids, support muscle repair and keep hunger at bay.
Even better they can provide necessary nutrients, like protein, iron, calcium, fibre, AND they can also meet dietary preferences, such as gluten-free, vegan, and plant-based!
Don’t forget though that protein bars do come in different shapes, sizes, nutritional information, and ingredients. So, depending on your own personal goals and needs, we do recommend checking the packaging to make sure you find the right bar that suits you! Remember too that they should only be consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet, and not used as a substitute for whole food.
- How to make protein bars?
Well, there are so many different ways you can make protein bars, but one easy and simple way you could make them is, add all the correct ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until mixture is thoroughly combined, then transfer the mix into a lined pan and press down until smooth on top, once you have finished this get them refrigerated for around an hour ish. Finally, cut to size, and enjoy!
For a healthy option, you can use some delicious coconut Flour to help hold the protein bars together while ensuring they have a soft and doughy texture. If you’re a nutty person, why not add peanut butter or almond butter? For those of you who have a sweet tooth but don’t want that added refined sugar then maybe adding some Maple Syrup would be perfect for you! Go on and indulge we won’t judge, chuck in some Chocolate Chips for that little extra treat!
Or instead, if you would prefer a Vegan option why not add ingredients like, brown rice protein, pea protein, soy protein isolate, nuts, nut butters, and seeds such as pumpkin, chia, or sunflower?!
- Are protein bars good for weight loss?
In short, with regular exercise, certain Protein bars CAN in fact help with weight loss, which is brilliant! This is because they can help manage your hunger making you feel fuller for longer and even boost fat burning!
Oh, and guess what there’s more! Eating protein bars before workouts will give you the right fuel and amino acids for your muscle maintenance AND performance.
Although if you do prefer having a protein snack after a workout then believe it or not, this is just as good! Not only does this aid in muscle recovery, but it will also support weight loss goals by promoting lean muscle mass! Amazing right?!
Always remember though that you need to choose your bars carefully with protein-rich ingredients and little added sugars, so don’t forget to check the nutrition label for important factors that could either benefit or hinder your weight loss goals, like sugars, additives, calories, and fats.
- How many protein bars should you eat per day?
We know how convenient and tasty Protein bars can be especially in our busy lifestyles, but generally most people need between 0.8-1.2 grams of protein per 1 kilogram of their body weight each day. So, depending on what you are having protein bars for, 1 or 2 should be more than enough if it’s just to meet your daily nutritional goals, having more than this wouldn’t be very beneficial, the amino acids will go to waste and the remaining parts of protein will only get stored as fat. But, if you are looking to gain muscle, it is recommended that you aim for around 2 or 3 protein bars a day as this does require more protein! Also, just a little heads up, if you are having more than one bar a day, make sure you do space them evenly throughout the day and again most importantly that they are part of a well-balanced diet!
What are our top 5 favourite Protein bars?
There’s a reason we love these bars as much as our customers do and here’s why.
Grenade Oreo - This collaboration features a crème layer flavoured with genuine Oreo vanilla filling and a nougaty centre loaded with authentic Oreo cocoa.
Adding to how dreamy this is, the whole bar then comes wrapped in Grenade’s signature low-sugar milk chocolate and an added topping of real Oreo pieces which have been exclusively developed by the masterminds at Oreo to maintain Grenade's low-sugar commitment.
Fulfil Hazelnut Whip - An indulgent hazelnut centre covered in creamy milk chocolate and topped with crunchy hazelnut pieces, all with the added benefits of 20g protein, low sugar and 9 multivitamins. Sounds amazing right!
Mountain Joe’s Carrot Protein Cake –This little slice of vegetarian paradise not only contains a sweet cinnamon base, but you also get 10-grams of high-quality protein per delicious sponge that's covered in low-sugar vanilla cream and topped with an orange-coloured drizzle for the maximum taste and texture experience!
Clif Chocolate Chip Nut Butter Bar – Take rich, creamy peanut butter filling inside an organic snack bar, add chocolate chips, and what do you get? A doubly delicious Vegan way to snack. The Clif Nut Butter Bar not only nourishes your body but also has a blend of whole grains, protein, and fibre, helping you to push your limits and go the distance. Get ready to be impressed when you take a bite into this delightful nut buttery bar!
SCI-MX Ultra Mass Protein Bar – In the world of fitness and bodybuilding, achieving your goals often means carefully selecting the right products to fuel your journey. If you're on a quest to pack on muscle mass or simply need a high-protein snack to power through your day, look no further than the Ultra Mass Protein Bar. This indulgent, energy-dense snack is designed to meet the needs of those with high caloric demands, all while delivering a whopping 25g of protein per bar!
Go on try them for yourself, we have no doubt you’ll be back for more!
We hope this answers your protein bar related questions!