Login or Register

Do People Eat Protein Bars As Meal Replacements?

Jun 16, 2011 | By Carly Schuna
Do People Eat Protein Bars As Meal Replacements?
Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Although many meal replacements come in the form of prepackaged shakes and drinks, protein bars can also serve as nutritious substitutes. In fact, protein bars can work equally well as potential replacements for both bodybuilders and people trying to lose weight, since lean protein helps add muscle mass and keep hunger at bay for long periods of time.

Protein Bar Benefits

Eating a meal replacement that's high in lean protein has a number of potential health benefits. According to ChooseMyPlate.gov, high-protein foods are especially rich in zinc, magnesium, iron, vitamin E and B vitamins, all of which aren't as commonly found in other food groups. High-protein bars can also provide the nutrients necessary to build, repair and maintain cells in your bones and muscles. Bars that contain plant-based sources of protein, such as tree nuts, may even have the potential to reduce risks for heart disease.

Calorie Count

Whether your goal is to lose weight, gain pounds healthfully or stay at your current size, it's important to pay attention to the calorie counts of protein bars you eat. When you're using a bar as a meal replacement, it should contain about as many calories as you usually eat in a meal if you want to maintain weight. Look for fewer calories if you want to lose and more if you want to gain. To get just the right amount of calories, consider eating just a portion of the bar or add more components to your meal substitute.

Nutrition Information

Nutritionally, not all protein bars are equal. In a Clif Builder's protein bar, for example, there are 270 calories, 8 g fat, 30 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 20 g sugar and 20 g protein. A Pure protein bar has 280 calories, 6 g fat, 29 g carbs, 4 g sugar and 29 g protein but no fiber. Special K's protein meal bar has just 180 calories and 5 g fat, 24 g carbs, 5 g fiber and 15 g sugar, but its protein count is just 10 g. A Detour protein bar falls in the middle of available options, with 170 calories, 5 g fat, 17 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 6 g sugar and 15 g protein per serving.

Considerations

If you're in the market for a meal replacement, the healthiest option may be to make one yourself with fresh, wholesome ingredients. In a piece for the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dr. Monica Zangwill writes that some meal replacements can be effective, but their product claims are not always accurate. Replacements are classified as dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration, which means they are not subject to the same regulations as other foods, and their product claims don't require scientific backing. Before you start any meal plan that uses a protein bar as a replacement, get approval from your doctor.

References

Article reviewed by Jenna Marie Last updated on: Jun 16, 2011

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments