PROTEIN BAR or CANDY BAR, WHICH IS IT?

A “good” protein bar can be a quick substitute for a whole food when you are on the road and just don’t have access to a healthy snack. Here are my requirements and suggestions for a healthy bar that you can grab as an emergency snack, or meal replacement.

·        Real Food – meaning the bar contains nuts, seeds, fruit, or egg whites as the first and most plentiful ingredient

·        Calories – 250 or less

·        No more than 7 ½ grams of added sugar which is about 1 ½ tsps.

·        No sucralose or acesulfame potassium used as a sweetener (stevia is fine!)

·        No more than 2 grams of artery clogging saturated fat

·        At least 8 grams of filling protein

So, what are my top 3 choices?

1.       RX bars and if you are having it as an emergency meal replacement add a large piece of fruit. I like the peanut butter one the best!

2.       Kind bars – the healthiest ones have no candy-like coating

3.       Lara bars – try the Apple pie, the Banana Bread or the Cherry Pie

Remember whole food is always best, but a protein bar can get you through in a pinch!