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 Protein Bar Review Section - What makes a good bar?
Protein bars are without doubt the best replacement to protein shakes or meal replacement powders. They're quick, easy and convenient for anyone who's on the go. In recent years more and more bars have entered the market, from Diet Bars to Energy Bars, Protein Bars to Low Carb Bars, Meal Replacement Bars to Soy Protein Bars, you name it, it's available. But which ones should you choose for your goals and what really makes a good bar?
It's pointless to have a bar with all the essential Nutritional Content, but tastes so bad you cannot stomach another bite! Protein bars don’t taste like candy bars! and it's certainly a kind of taste you have to get used to, but they are very healthy and convenient alternatives to a meal or protein drink. A good bar should have a good nutritional profile, high in quality protein, moderately low in carbohydrates, sugar and saturated fat.
What are 'Net Impact' Carbs?
The term "net impact carbs" refers to the total carbohydrates in a product minus fiber, sugar alcohols and other carbs that don't increase blood sugar levels. Products that are low in net impact carbs won't raise blood sugar much and therefore won't increase insulin secretion.
Fat storage is encouraged by insulin, so keeping it low for most of the day helps to prevent fat gain. Protein bars with low net impact carbs contain sugar alcohols called polyols - organic sweeteners that are 40-90% as sweet as regular sugar. Unlike regular sugar, the polyols are not easily absorbed by your body. In other words, they mostly go right through you.
Technically, sugar alcohols don't contribute many calories to a diet. But this can vary depending on the sugar alcohol. Although carbohydrates typically contribute about four calories per gram, sugar alcohols may contribute from one and a half to three calories per gram, depending on which sugar alcohol you're consuming. The most common sugar alcohols listed on nutrition labels are xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol and polyglycitol (hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, or HSH).
The bottom line is, you only need count the 'net impact' carbs.
When should I supplement with a bar?
You should learn to use protein/nutrition bars as meal replacements, particularly when you don't have time for a wholefood meal. Bars can also come in handy as pre- and post workout meals, although protein shakes with simple carbs are the preferred solution. For those looking to keep lean you should look for a bar that has atleast 20 grams of protein and fewer than 300 calories. Bars are an excellent nutritional aid and if you don't have time for a meal you should always consider a shake or bar to compensate. We suggest sticking to no more than 5-6 bars per week.
Our Top 10 Bars
Legend: *Suitable for fat loss plan *Suitable for weight trainers *Not suitable for fat loss plan
Here are the best bars currently available, all score highly in terms of nutritional content, taste and overall satisfaction and price.
Universal Nutrition Doctors CarbRite Bar - Finally, a bar that's SUGAR FREE! Universal Nutrition have produced a fantastic bar here and one that we would like to recommend to all trainees. Delicious flavors are available from Toasted Coconut to Chocolate Brownie. These really are fantastic bars. For Best Results: As a mid morning or mid afternoon meal or as an after workout replenishment snack. Customer Verdict: Universal Nutrition have come up with a real winner here. There is nothing bad to say about these bars, they are perfect in every way.
Average Rating: * * * * * * *
Worldwide Sport Pure Protein Bar - A fantastic bar bought to you by Worldwide Sports Nutrition. The Peanut Butter and Strawberry Shortcake Flavored bars are very pleasant tasting. The 50g bar is low in carbs and sugar which is a real bonus. Other flavors available are: Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Deluxe, Blueberry Pie, Marshmallow Eclipse and Strawberry Shortcake. For Best Results: A bar either mid morning or mid afternoon. Alternatively after your weights workout. Customer Verdict: A very good bar, perfect in size, with good nutritional content. Highly Recommended.
Average Rating: * * * * * * *
Premier Nutrition Odyssey Bar - Wow! Premier Nutrition have created a real winner here. You'll be fooled into thinking you've bought a Snickers bar after the first bite! This bar tastes so good you’ll want to eat two or three at a time!! Slightly high fat content, but all in all this is a fantastic bar, rich in flavor and excellent nutritional profile. Customer Verdict: "No other bar comes close to the Odyssey Bar in terms of overall satisfaction, it really is in a league of its own. This bar has it all, awesome taste, rich crunchy flavor and all the essential nutrients you'd expect from a protein bar.
Average Rating: * * * * * * *
MuscleTech Nitro-Tech Bar - A great all round bar from Muscle-Tech. This bars scores very highly with excellent nutritional profile, one of the best seen in a protein bar. Ideal for hard trainers, hard gainers and those looking to keep lean. A real good bar, suitable for those on a weight training program. For Best Results: As a snack mid morning or mid afternoon. Or good as an after workout replenishment snack. Customer Verdict: Looking at the nutritional information on this one gives it a very high score, lots of protein and low in carbs. Truffle like consistency and very chewy center make this as pleasant bar. Lots of great flavours available.
Average Rating: * * * * * *
ISS OH-YEAH Bar - A great tasting bar form ISS Research, however, it is a very high calorie bar (380 calories!) and a huge one too! Boasting 27 grams of protein, which includes Whey Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Isolate, Milk Protein Isolate, Milk Protein Concentrate and Calcium Caseinate. If the bar had a little less of the caramel coating, this bar would be a real contender with the top five, as it would significantly reduce the calorie, sugar and fat content. With that being said, this is a great bar for weight lifting trainees, hardgainers or just as a treat for those looking to keep lean. We suggest cutting the bar in half, due to it's size. For Best Results: As a snack mid morning or mid afternoon. Or good as an after workout replenishment snack. This is a large bar so you may want to halve it. Ideal for weight trainees and those on a bulking phase. Customer Verdict: Light Brown Caramel in color. Too much coating on the bar which is why it has so much sugar. A great taste, but a very big bar. Would be a real winner if it had half the amount of caramel coating. Very high calorie content, so not ideal for those on a carb controlled/calorie restricted diet. Good option for hardgainers or intensive weight lifting trainees.
Average Rating: * * * * * *
Powerbar - Protein Plus - A good snack bar designed for athletes who require energy for exercise and workouts. This bar contains 38 grams of carbs which is a little too much for an everyday bar and for those on a carb restricted diet. Ideal for athletes and weight lifting trainees. Also includes L-Glutamine. For Best Results: More of an energy bar than a Protein Bar. Ideal of endurance athletes and weight lifting trainees. As a meal replacement or energy snack before or after exercise. Customer Verdict: A pleasant, chewy texture and light chocolate coating make this a great bar.
Average Rating: * * * * * *
Designer Whey ONE WAY Bar - A great bar from Designer Whey. Ok, it's a little over the 300 calorie benchmark, but it does make up for it with it's superb range of nutrients and it scores highly on the taste test, you really won't be disappointed with this one. A great bar for weight lifting trainees, athletes and hardgainers. For Best Results: As a mid morning or mid afternoon meal or as an after workout replenishment snack. Customer Verdict: This one certainly doesn’t taste like a protein bar. Great choice as a post workout bar, very tasty bar here and a nice coating. It’s nice to see a bar with large crunchy nuts too!
Average Rating: * * * * * *
EAS Advantedge Carb Control Bar - With only 4 grams of Net Carbs, this is a good choice for all trainees. EAS has been making great bars for a good few years now and continue to supply some of the best in the nutrition industry. Many flavors are available in this range, including: Blueberry, Caramel Apple, Chocolate Caramel Crisp, Chocolate Chip Brownie, Chocolate Cream Pie, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Peanut Butter Crisp, Cookies & Cream, Double Chocolate Crisp and S'Mores Crisp. For Best Results: Consume a bar either mid morning or mid afternoon. Alternatively after your weights workout or exercise activity. Customer Verdict: A great all round bar from EAS - Recommended
Average Rating: * * * * * *
MLO Bio Protein Bar - 310 calories, 43 grams of carbs and a whopping 37 grams of sugar!! This is not a bar you should be eating regularly, especially if you're looking to keep lean. This bar is most suitable for hardgainers or those looking to add mass as opposed to those want to keep lean and trim. A very tasty bar, but it would be with all that sugar! For Best Results: These bars are ideal for those not on a fat loss plan. Would be a better option for those on a bulking phase or as a weekly treat. Serious trainees can use these bars as snacks or after intensive workouts. Customer Verdict: Good taste, but high in calories and suar, this bar is not recommended for those on a fat loss plan, but more for hard gainers or those on a bulking phase.
Average Rating: * * * * * *
Labrada Lean Body Bar - Labrada have a massive range of nutritional supplements. Their meal replacement powders have proved very popular amongst trainees. They've now packed all those nutrients into a bar. But is it any good? Nutritional wise this is a great bar packing in 32 grams of protein and 300 kcal. For Best Results: Consume a bar either mid morning or mid afternoon. Alternatively after your weights workout. Customer Verdict: Nutritionally this is a very good bar with good all round satisfaction.
Average Rating: * * * * * *
View our full range of protein and nutrition bars
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