Should you obtain your protein and carbohydrates from foods or bars (protein or energy bars)? And why should you opt for either? In this post, we will venture into this topic of discussion and suggest relevant recommendations pertaining to the same.
Energy /protein bars
Energy /protein bars are prepackaged food items in form of bars that contain fairly significant amounts of carbohydrate and protein respectively. They are convenient in that they do not need preparation before intake.
Both energy and protein bars are filled with nutrients and vitamins. These bars are typically used by persons involved in high-intensity workouts, for example, bodybuilders and athletes.
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of bars first.
Advantages
- Convenient: Bars are ready to eat and thus convenient. You do not need to prepare them in any way. As such, when in a hurry, and with inadequate time to prepare meals, bars are often preferred.
- Calorie control: Bars usually contain information on nutrition label that informs content of nutrients, and their quantities.
Disadvantages
- Contain additives: Most bars contain added ingredients e.g., preservatives, artificial flavours etc, which can pose harmful effects to your health.
- Less Filling: Bars are less satisfying than whole foods, increasing the likelihood of overeating, which in turn leads to weight gain.
Why should you opt for either?
Indeed, both these bars provide the macro-nutrients you require. However, should you rather opt for the bars or obtain your macro-nutrients from food? Occasionally, depending on circumstance like when you’re in a hurry, these bars could serve useful; though, the importance of consuming foods rich in carbohydrates or proteins remains a priority.
Food sources are particularly rich with nutrients that you need and as opposed to eating a bar that contains either macro-nutrient even if with several other nutrients, you get to receive a variety of nutrients when you obtain your macronutrients from food because foods tend to be nutrient –dense (contain various nutrients including vitamins and minerals). A food can have that macro-nutrient i.e. protein or carbohydrate and still have vitamins and minerals you require.
Moreover, the nutrients in a food are in adequate amounts wherein you are unlikely to be deficient or exceed your nutrient intake. Foods are better alternatives as they are more nutrient-dense, do not contain additives, provide satiety, and can signal you when you’re full hence you’re unlikely to overeat.
Protein /energy bars should be utilized for their intended purpose like during or after workouts but not as substitutes for meals. You still require the intake of meals that comprise foods rich in macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients.
With much insistence, if possible, unless with certain conditions that interfere with your ability to take or digest foods whereby other forms of nutrition therapies are recommended i.e enteral or parenteral nutrition, ensure that you prioritize the intake of a variety of nutritious meals.
Aim to spare some time to prepare your food and if very busy, probably opt for food preparation and cooking methods that take a short amount of time. All in all, just ensure that you incorporate varied nutritious foods into your diet.