What Are The Ingredients In Powerbars?

PowerBar is a company that makes nutritional snacks, gels and energy drinks designed for the physically active consumer. The company has been producing high-carbohydrate products since 1986 and now sponsors numerous athletes and athletic events across the globe. PowerBar was one of the first energy bars on the market and paved the way for countless other bars designed for athletes and highly active people. According to their website, PowerBar currently offers 11 different bars, all with separate ingredients. However, all PowerBars have one thing in common: ther are high-carbohydrate and high-protein.

Carbohydrates in PowerBars

Carbohydrate content ranges from 15 g in the PowerBar Pria, to 45 g in the PowerBar Performance. According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association, or NSCA, roughly 50 to 100 g of carbohydrates are needed daily to provide the body with adequate energy. Highly active individuals may be at an increased need for carbohydrates to prevent dramatic drops in blood sugar levels and over-consumption of protein stores in the body. As a rule, 4 to 5 g of carbohydrate per pound of body weight is sufficient to provide the body the energy it needs.

Protein in PowerBars

Protein content ranges from 5 g in both the PowerBar Pure & Simple Energy and PowerBar Pria to 30 g in the PowerBar ProteinPlus 30g. The NSCA recommends that protein compose at least 10 to 15 percent of daily calorie intake. Normal protein consumption should equal about 4/10 of a gram per pound of body weight for both males and females. For a 150 lb. person, this totals 60 g per day. The NSCA asserts that highly active individuals are at an increased need for protein to promote tissue repair and recovery, around two times as much as the average person.

PowerBar Ingredients

Because of the number and variety of products, there is no one underlying set of ingredients that composes the PowerBar. However, according to "Bodybuilding Tips," the original PowerBar is composed of the following:

Oat Bran
Maltodextrin
Milk Protein
Rice crisps
Salt
Minerals
Brown Rice
Peanut Butter
High Fructose Corn Syrup

The only inherently unhealthy ingredient on this list is the high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener, which some nutritionists believe contributes to weight gain.