A diet bar can be a suitable meal replacement if you are trying to lose weight. Like ready-to-drink diet shakes, diet bars are convenience foods for a busy lifestyle. When it comes to suppressing hunger, however, there is evidence that diet bars may be a better choice than diet shakes. A study published in the "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition" found that meal replacement diet bars controlled hunger for two hours longer than meal replacement liquids. Fortunately, there are a number of diet bar brands and formulations available for weight-conscious consumers. The choice may depend on your taste preferences and dieting approach.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Bars
If you are following a low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss, such as the Atkins Diet, you will likely want a meal replacement bar that contains few carbohydrates. The Atkins Advantage Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar provides 15 g protein with only 3 g net or digestible carbohydrates. It also supplies vitamins and minerals, including 15 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. At 240 calories, this diet bar is an adequate meal replacement, acceptable in all four phases of the Atkins Diet.
High-Protein Diet Bars
An option for bodybuilders and other high-protein dieters is the Supreme Protein Peanut Butter & Jelly Bar, which comes in two sizes. The 96 g bar delivers 30 g protein with 17 g net carbohydrates and 405 calories, along with 25 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. The 50 g bar supplies 15 g protein with 8 g net carbohydrates and 200 calories, along with vitamins and minerals, including 15 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. While the larger bar makes a good meal replacement, the smaller bar may be appropriate as a snack or a post-workout food.
Balanced Nutrition Diet Bars
If you are following a balanced nutrition diet for weight loss, such as the Zone Diet, you will probably want a meal replacement bar that offers protein and complex carbohydrates with a relatively low fat content. Dr. Sears’ Zone Iced Oatmeal Raisin Bar contains 15 g protein, 26 g total carbohydrates, 6 g fat and 210 calories, along with vitamins and minerals, including 25 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C.
Appetite Control Bars
An option for dieters who simply want to eat less without feeling hungry is the Fullbar, developed by Dr, Michael A. Snyder, a surgeon who based the concept on bariatric surgery principles. Made with puffed grains, a Fullbar expands in the stomach to create a feeling of fullness, when consumed with 16 oz. of water. The Cranberry Almond Fullbar provides 6 g protein, 30 g total carbohydrates, 2.5 g total fat and only 170 calories. This diet bar is not a significant source of vitamins and minerals except iron -- and for this reason, it may be helpful as an appetite suppressant between meals but not as a meal replacement.
References
- International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition; Short-term hunger intensity changes following ingestion of a meal replacement bar for weight control; D. Q. Rothacker and S. Watemberg; May 2004
- Atkins: Atkins Advantage Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar
- Supreme Protein: Peanut Butter & Jelly Bar
- The Zone Diet: Dr. Sears’ Zone Nutrition Bars: Iced Oatmeal Raisin
- Fullbar: How It Works: General FAQ
- Fullbar: Cranberry Almond
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