Meal Bars

SparkPoints: (3,105)
Fitness Minutes: (5,730)
Posts: 640
12/23/12 5:51 A

other portable options:

salmon/tuna packet + disposable fork
turkey lettuce wrap
string cheese
turkey jerky
raw almonds/seeds/nuts
fresh fruit

current weight: 99.0

110 107.25 104.5 101.75

99

SparkPoints: (93,760)
Fitness Minutes: (73,122)
Posts: 4,821
12/23/12 1:48 A

Probably NOT a great first choice...but I have fallen into the trap in the past of using them until I realized the amount of soy used as a protein source. For me, it is far better to avoid soy.

I have a box of KIND bars--fruit & nuts & seeds as a "go to" when I'm avoiding something from a fast food drive through.

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 5 10 15

20

Posts: 992
12/22/12 10:17 P

Meal bars usually have chemicals in them let alone the trans fat that hurts our heart and clogs arteries..raise cholesterol and triglycerides.....a good path that could lead to heart attack or stroke....so not for me anytime.

Also, what your probably getting is a rush of carbs or sugar ...Just after you have a carb rich meal, there is a shoot in the sugar level in the blood, and your pancreas start producing insulin in large amounts to take care of the excess sugar in the blood. Know this...the insulin hormone is responsible for fat storage in the body

A better approach would be to brown bag it as many people do these days...carry and apple, orange, a couple of tangerines, grab a salad somewhere...and if you want candy eat some Dark Chocolate with over 70% cocoa..at least thats healthful!

SparkPoints: (70,818)
Fitness Minutes: (30,690)
Posts: 5,036
12/22/12 9:52 A

I used to eat one almost everyday. Zone Bars were my favorite. I felt like I needed them because I'm a vegetarian and would struggle with getting in my protein for the day, but I realized I didn't need them, I just wanted them because they tasted good. But anyway, even though they can be ridiculously expensive, they're good in a pinch and definitely better than a candy bar. I just stopped making them part of my everyday diet.

current weight: 110.0

160 147.5 135 122.5

110

Posts: 4,715
12/22/12 6:22 A

A meal bar is my entire breakfast every day. So I'm a "believer" I guess! I make my own. I control the ingredients and the nutritional profile.

The bars I just made on Thursday are each 251 calories, 9g fat (from olive oil), 31g carbs, and 13g protein (they vary every time as I change the flavors around every time I make them). I sweeten them with stevia and honey so that's not so terrible. I put low fat Greek yogurt, olive oil, and very high quality protein powder in them, as well as plain oats with no scary ingredients.

SparkPoints: (33,746)
Fitness Minutes: (21,865)
Posts: 2,414
12/21/12 9:21 P

I like Balance Bars in a pinch. Not the best thing ever, but works once in a while

current weight: 133.2

260 228.3 196.6 164.9

133.2

SparkPoints: (20,749)
Fitness Minutes: (19,101)
Posts: 2,716
12/21/12 5:17 P

I have them in a pinch, or when I am feeling too lazy to have anything else (hey, I'm human, it happens!)

I go for the low carb/high protein ones myself. The Atkins ones taste good, and have a good amount of protein to keep me full. I think the difference between these bars and a candy bar is that the candy bar is basically pure sugar, so you will be hungry soon after. If you have a higher protein one it should keep you full.

current weight: 146.0

191 179.75 168.5 157.25

146

Posts: 843
12/21/12 3:08 P

haven't had much desire for them

Pounds lost: 58.5

0 14.625 29.25 43.875

58.5

SparkPoints: (1,685)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 452
12/21/12 2:31 P

a well formulated bar will have balanced nutrition. Some, such as Zone Bars are little better than Snickers, others are actually quite good. IMO Zero Impact bars are fantastic as meal replacements - www.vpxsports.com/muscle-building-suppleme
nts/zero-impact-protein-bars

Edited by: GDBEAR65 at: 12/24/2012 (12:58)

Posts: 4,646
12/21/12 10:22 A

I make my own as well. If I do purchase any I purchase through designs for health. No hidden anything in these. (unfortunately your doctor has to send you an invite)

current weight: 250.0

250 220 190 160

130

Posts: 2,100
12/21/12 9:42 A

you're probably correct.

If you have the time, find a good recipe and make your own, with 'known' ingredients, not all the additives.

Stored in fridge or freezer; they won't spoil as quickly, since they won't have a whole lot of preservatives.

Additionally, they'll likely taste a lot better.

To me, those types of things are definitely an "emergency only" solution.
Apparently there ARE some that are better than others (somebody mentioned Lara Bars), but I don't know for sure

SparkPoints: (11,050)
Fitness Minutes: (7,194)
Posts: 330
12/21/12 9:34 A

Are meal bars worth it? I occasionally eat a meal replacement bar when I am pressed for time. I am amazed at the amount of saturated fat and carb counts on some of these. I am not seeing a difference between most of these bars and a snickers. What do you think.

Pounds lost: 13.0

0 6.75 13.5 20.25

27