Nutrition bars fall under various names such as “energy bars,” “meal replacement bars,” “protein bars,” and “snack bars.” Nutrition bars are generally much larger by weight than snack bars (such as granola bars) or candy bars (such as chocolate bars) and have a much higher protein content –generally 10 grams to 30 grams of protein in a nutrition bar versus little or no protein in a snack bar or candy bar. Some “fiber” or “whole food” bars may also contain little protein, but added protein not the main emphasis of those types of bars.
Claims and Purported Use
Nutrition bars offer a convenient means to supplement a balanced diet. “Energy bars” usually contain about 200-300 calories and feature a mix of carbohydrates, fats, and protein, plus vitamins and minerals to help stabilize blood sugar throughout the day. “Meal replacement bars” are similar to energy bars, but offer a wider range of calories, anywhere from 180-370. “Protein bars” provide high amounts of protein, usually 30 or more grams per bar and support muscle repair and development following exercise as well as help increase metabolism for those trying to lose weight. The following nutrition bars are considered tested and true.
TESTED & TRUE
ENERGY BARS
Promax™ Double Fudge Brownie
MEAL REPLACEMENT BARS
Kellogg’s™ Special K Protein Double Chocolate
Luna® Lemon Zest®
Met-Rx® Big 100 Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Zone Perfect® Double Chocolate
HIGH PROTEIN BARS
Met-Rx® Big 100 Colossal Super Cookie Crunch
Pure Protein® Chocolate Peanut Butter
SNACK BARS
Larabar® Pecan Pie
Odwalla® Bar® Strawberry Pomegranate Organic Food Bar™
Soyjoy™ Apple
Selected Potential Side Effects
Nutrition bars are generally regarded as safe when taken as recommended.
Selected Drug Interactions
No cases have been reported.
Suggested Dosage
The USDA recommends that most adults, who exercise lightly or moderately, consume between 2,000-3,000 calories per day. Of the total calories, about 45-65% should derive from carbohydrates, 10-35% from protein, and 20-35% from fat with less than 10% of the total calories coming from saturated fat (USDA Dietary Guidelines, 2005). Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to the total amount of calories provided by the bar you choose.
Gain Free Access to Our Video Series on Tested (safe) and True (effective) Dietary Supplements Below
Video 1 offers a video presentation overview, shares why there’s so much hype surrounding the dietary supplement industry and explains what triggered an explosion of the supplement market.
Video 2 uncovers the dietary supplement industry further to report why the buyer needs to beware and provides viewers the resources needed to find tested and true products.
Video 3 defines tested and true supplements, reviews the latest research regarding fish oiland multivitamins, and offers viewers a few examples of tested and true products.
Video 4 discusses tested and true Vitamin D
Video 5 covers coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10), glucosamine and chondrotin and more
Reference Guide for Tested and True Dietary Supplements
Tested and True: Multivitamins
Tested and True: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10)
Tested and True: Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Tested and True: Muscle Enhancers – Creatine
Tested and True: Muscle Enhancers – Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
Tested and True: Nutrition Bars
Tested and True: Nutrition Drinks & Powders
Tested and True: Weight Loss Accelerators and Appetite Controllers
Tested and True: Mood Booster SAM-e
Tested and True: Mood Booster St. Johns’ Wort
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References: *Consumer Reports
