Energy Bars Healthy Or Not?
Article by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites
The Truth About Protein Bars, Energy Bars & Energy Juice
Protein and Energy Supplements Claims
Over the past few years, protein bars, energy supplements and energy juice have spouted up in many sections at your local market place.
Manufacturers would have us believe that they are the fountain of youth - that these energy-busting supplements can make an old worn out geezer feel like a spring chicken again.
Are they really as good for you as the manufacturers claim?
How does their health benefits compare to the official American Food Pyramid?
And most importantly, do they pose more health risks than benefits?
Let's get energized!
Purpose of Protein Bars, Energy Supplements
Protein bars and energy juice spin around two chief marketing wheels:
1. They replace important nutrients lost while exercising and;
2. They provide ingredients that will accelerate OR assist the dieter with weight loss.
Protein bars, energy supplements and energy juice tend to be very high in calories and may wipe out any calories that you have burned during exercise.
Exercise, Not Just for Burning Calories
But exercise is about more than burning calories; it's about creating a stronger, more fit body - among other things. And replacing nutrients and lost fluids can be crucial in some circumstances.
Protein bars, energy bars and energy juice can also help energize the dieter after exercise.
The recommended foods in the official Food Pyramid will accomplish the same health benefits, but special products - such as Gatorade replenish and refuel faster.
Healthy Choices for Most Dieters
We give energy bars, protein bars and energy drinks two thumb's up. Just be sure to take note of the calories contained in the bars of your choice and to add that number to your total daily calorie intake.
However, if you're using these type dieting supplements as snacks, that's not a healthy solution. You can better meet your body's energy needs via lower caloric foods and drinks.
Vitamin B Health Risks, Overdose
Below we've posted the nutritional facts for a protein bar by MARS SNACKFOOD US and GATORADE.
Note that the protein bar is packed with B-Vitamins. These serve as quick energy boosters. It also contains caffeine which stimulates alertness - and take note that it is a drug.
Be careful that you don't over-consume vitamin and mineral-enriched foods and drinks because too much of some can create serious health issues. In the case of the B-Vitamins, they directly impact our nervous system.
Nutrition Facts for Snicker Marathon Protein Performance Bar, Caramel Nut Rush
|
Vitamins, Minerals |
Units |
100 g |
1 Bar |
| Energy |
kcal |
415 |
332 |
| Protein |
g |
25.00 |
20.00 |
| Total Fat |
g |
12.50 |
10.00 |
| Carbohydrates |
g |
50.50 |
40.40 |
| Fiber, total dietary |
g |
12.5 |
10.0 |
| Sugars, total |
g |
28.75 |
23.00 |
| Calcium, Ca |
mg |
625 |
500 |
| Iron, Fe |
mg |
10.13 |
8.10 |
| Magnesium, Mg |
mg |
175 |
140 |
| Phosphorus, P |
mg |
375 |
300 |
| Potassium, K |
mg |
188 |
150 |
| Sodium, Na |
mg |
238 |
190 |
| Zinc, Zn |
mg |
6.56 |
5.25 |
| Vitamin C |
mg |
75.0 |
60.0 |
| Thiamin |
mg |
1.875 |
1.500 |
| Riboflavin |
mg |
2.125 |
1.700 |
| Niacin |
mg |
25.000 |
20.000 |
| Vitamin B-6 |
mg |
2.500 |
2.000 |
| Folate, DFE |
µg |
850 |
680 |
| Vitamin B-12 |
µg |
7.50 |
6.00 |
| Vitamin A, RAE |
µg |
652 |
522 |
| Vitamin A, IU |
IU |
2188 |
1750 |
| Vitamin E |
mg |
16.88 |
13.50 |
| Vitamin D |
IU |
150 |
120 |
| Vitamin K |
µg |
10.4 |
8.3 |
| Saturated Fat |
g |
6.250 |
5.000 |
| Monounsaturated Fat |
g |
2.645 |
2.116 |
| Polyunsaturated Fat |
g |
2.892 |
2.314 |
| Cholesterol |
mg |
6 |
5 |
| Caffeine |
mg |
3 |
2 |
One bottle of Gatorade contains as many calories as a sugary soda.
Keep in mind that the body bases weight on energy calories consumed - not vitamins and minerals, although they are essential for optimum health. Gatorade Sport's Drink is produced by Pepsico Quaker.
Note the inflections on the electrolytes content - potassium, sodium and calcium.
Nutrition Facts for Gatorade G Performance O2
|
Vitamins, Minerals |
Units |
100 g |
1 Fluid Oz |
8 Fluid Oz |
1 Bottle |
| Energy |
kcal |
26 |
8 |
63 |
158 |
| Protein |
g |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
| Total Fat |
g |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
| Carbohydrates |
g |
6.43 |
1.96 |
15.69 |
39.16 |
| Fiber, total dietary |
g |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
| Sugars, total |
g |
5.24 |
1.60 |
12.79 |
31.91 |
| Calcium, Ca |
mg |
1 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
| Iron, Fe |
mg |
0.05 |
0.02 |
0.12 |
0.30 |
| Magnesium, Mg |
mg |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Phosphorus, P |
mg |
10 |
3 |
24 |
61 |
| Potassium, K |
mg |
15 |
5 |
37 |
91 |
| Sodium, Na |
mg |
39 |
12 |
95 |
238 |
| Zinc, Zn |
mg |
0.01 |
0.00 |
0.02 |
0.06 |
| Vitamin C |
mg |
0.4 |
0.1 |
1.0 |
2.4 |
| Thiamin |
mg |
0.011 |
0.003 |
0.027 |
0.067 |
| Riboflavin |
mg |
0.000 |
0.000 |
0.000 |
0.000 |
| Niacin |
mg |
0.220 |
0.067 |
0.537 |
1.340 |
| Vitamin B-6 |
mg |
0.022 |
0.007 |
0.054 |
0.134 |
| Folate, DFE |
µg |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Vitamin B-12 |
µg |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
| Vitamin A, RAE |
µg |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Vitamin A, IU |
IU |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Vitamin E |
mg |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
| Vitamin D |
IU |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Vitamin K |
µg |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.5 |
1.2 |
| Saturated Fat |
g |
0.000 |
0.000 |
0.000 |
0.000 |
| Monounsaturated Fat |
g |
0.000 |
0.000 |
0.000 |
0.000 |
| Polyunsaturated Fat |
g |
0.000 |
0.000 |
0.000 |
0.000 |
| Cholesterol |
mg |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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