Protein bars are a popular food choice for athletes, bodybuilders and workout enthusiasts. A protein bar provides a quick and easy option to satisfy hunger, supply energy and replenish protein, vitamins and minerals. Protein bars hae several ingredients that vary by flavor.
Calories
Calories found in one serving of a protein bar--about 190 to 300--come from carbohydrates, fat and protein. For example, protein bars from Pure Protein and PowerBar contain 190 calories and 300 calories, respectively. The Pure Protein bar contains about 68 calories from carbohydrates, 54 calories from fat and 80 calories from protein. The PowerBar contains 156 calories from carbohydrates, 75 calories from fat and 92 calories from protein.
Carbohydrates
Nutrition facts for carbohydrates are displayed in total carbohydrates, dietary fiber and sugars. The protein bar from PowerBar contains 39 g of total carbohydrates with 1 g of dietary fiber and 19 g of sugars. The Pure Protein bar has fewer total carbohydrates with 17 g and 1 g of dietary fiber and 2 g of sugars.
Protein
Protein bars, as their name suggests, are typically high in protein with amounts exceeding 20 g per serving. The Pure Protein bar contains 20 g of protein per serving and the PowerBar contains 23 g of protein per serving.
Fat
With the large amounts of carbohydrates and protein, protein bars contain relatively low amounts of fat. Nutritional information for fat is broken down into total fat, saturated fat and trans fat. The Pure Protein bar and the PowerBar both contain 6 g of total fat, 3 g of saturated fat and no trans fat.
Vitamins & Minerals
Protein bars are fortified with vitamins and minerals. The PowerBar contains 100 percent of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, folate and biotin. The Pure Protein bar contains 25 percent of the recommended daily value of Vitamin A, calcium, Vitamin E, riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, thiamin, folic acid and biotin. Other vitamins and minerals commonly found in protein bars include iron, phosphorous, magnesium, copper and chromium.
Ingredients
Protein bars contain flavoring ingredients, vitamins, minerals and protein sources. Protein sources typically come from whey protein, whey protein isolate and calcium caseinate. Other common ingredients may include high fructose corn syrup, cocoa and artificial flavorings.
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