Not everyone knows the human anatomy and understands the difference between proteins or amino acids, but modern society knows for sure that athletes need proteins. Why, why - this is the next part of the question. In order to answer it, you need to navigate this topic. About protein bars it is known that they belong to sports nutrition, but the meaning of their use for most ordinary people is even more vague. In this post we will look at the composition and benefits of using Protein bar.
A bar positioned as an integral part of sports nutrition: what is it, who should use it, is it useful for those who are losing weight or gaining weight? What does the Protein bar consist of, is it inferior or wins in terms of performance compared to bars of other brands? Let's talk about this in this article.
Composition Protein bar
A bar, the reviews about the taste of which are quite positive, is made in Russia by the Ironman trademark. Its 50 g biochemical composition contains 8 g of protein, 6 g of fat and 23 g of carbohydrates. It should be noted that if you adhere to a carbohydrate-free nutrition plan, then 23 g of carbohydrate per 50 g of any meal is quite a lot. In addition, the composition includes biotin, folic acid, niacin, vitamins. The calorie content of the bar is 173 kcal.
Is Protein bar useful?
The bar, the composition of which is presented above, does not differ significantly in quality characteristics from other chocolates, which are not related to sports nutrition and are positioned as confectionery.
Yes, it contains vitamins and more protein than other chocolates, but from the point of view of dietetics, the product is saturated with sugar. On the other hand, is it possible to make a delicious candy by abandoning sugar? Sweeteners do not contain carbohydrates, but after them you will want to eat even more, among other things, their effect on the body has not yet been clarified.
Let's compare the protein bar Protein bar in composition with other sweets on the market. For example, the energy value of a Mars bar is 190 kcal, and one candy contains 2 g of protein, 10 g of fat and 21 g of carbohydrates. There is less protein than in the Protein bar, but there are as many carbohydrates. But the Snickers bar is almost as good in nutrition as it contains 5 grams of protein, 10 grams of fat and 27 grams of carbohydrates in one candy. This is understandable given that Snickers has a lot of peanuts rich in protein and fats.
What is this talking about? The fact that a slightly higher amount of protein in the Protein bar does not make it a true sports nutrition product. It is all the more vain to think that this is a diet product for weight loss. Instead of carbohydrates contained in the bar, you can eat a couple of apples or a serving of porridge. You will definitely get enough of the last dish, unlike one bar.
Protein bar as a healthy snack during diet
Whatever the strong will of a person, when you have to go on a diet, there is a battle with your own body, which is not at all tuned to give at least a few grams of fat. For the man himself, folds are an objectionable and unaesthetic sight, but for the body it is a store of heat and energy. That is why it is so easy to “break loose” from the diet: the brain itself provokes you to eat tasty foods so that the body does not suffer. For most people, the most delicious and sweet forbidden fruit is confectionery - bars, pies, sweets, muffins. This is easily explained - the body sees fast carbohydrates as an energy battery, the “power” of which is released immediately.
In this regard, not wanting to "jump" from the diet and at the same time meeting the needs of the body for food, many modern "dieters" make a trick that is beneficial for themselves and the body - they have a snack with a protein candy. Protein bar is recommended on forums and blogs as a dietary product, but its composition suggests otherwise.
Does an athlete need protein bars?
A modern bodybuilder is a person who is forced to monitor his body much more carefully than a professional model or movie star. For the sake of performance, once every six months the athlete is engaged up to 5 times in the gym and is obliged to follow a strict diet rich in proteins. Of course, I want to pamper myself and delicious. But an excess of carbohydrates or fats in food is extremely undesirable - under the fatty layer the muscles will not be clearly visible.
It is for this purpose that "sports sweets" were created. Protein bar - a bar positioned as a product for athletes does not quite fit the description of a protein bar. Compare the composition of the Protein bar and other bars on the market as a sports product.
Composition of other protein bars
Before considering the composition of other sweets, it should be noted that sports food manufacturers divide bars into protein, low-carbohydrate, high-carb, cereal, and energy bars.
Which bar to choose depends on your goal. Very common among protein bars are Weider brand products. The bar "32% Protein bar" contains 19 g of protein, 6 g of fat and 18 g of carbohydrates. It is impossible to make a tasty and sweet bar without sugar, and besides, protein is better absorbed along with carbohydrates. Such a bar is better in terms of protein content, but it also costs more than the domestic Protein bar - from 120 to 160 rubles.
How to consume protein bars
It will be a mistake to think that a protein bar can be eaten at any time and in any quantities, since it is useful. The energy value in such a bar is the same as in any candy, and the protein is less than, for example, in one egg. How often can I use Protein bar? Testimonials indicate that the best time for use will be half an hour before training or fifteen minutes after. The manufacturer agrees with this opinion of consumers. Use the Protein bar as a snack between meals, or as a separate “meal” before or after a fitness session. Do not eat more than two bars per day.
Conclusion
What can be said about the domestic product Protein bar ? A bar containing 5 grams of protein is not high protein and at the same time contains 23 g of carbohydrate. This makes it not related to a dietary food product, but rather to a tasty snack.
If you care about your figure and strive to lose weight, then do not abuse the use of Protein bar . A bar whose composition includes such an amount of carbohydrates is comparable in nutritional characteristics to a regular candy like Snickers or Mars. The norm per day is no more than two pieces as a separate snack.