Nutrition Bars: Friend or Foe?

Once only consumed by high-endurance athletes, nutrition bars (also called sports bars) have boomed in recent years into an $860-million industry. Starting with the relatively simple high carbohydrate formula of Power Bars, nutrition bars now come in a multitude of varieties designed for an endless array of uses. Not only can all the choices be confusing, but popular ideas around nutrition bars can be misleading.

Misconceptions

The first common misconception is that nutrition bars are always healthy alternatives to junk food snacks. While certainly most bars are better for you than your average candy bar or pastry, some are not. The reason is that many bars today are specifically formulated for different purposes, so you if you are not a body builder and you are chowing down on body building sports bars, it will adversely affect you.

This brings us to the second misconception, that nutrition bars are inherently healthy. Actually, there are many types that are not healthy at all, with high levels of processed sugars, calories, preservatives, artificial flavorings, and hydrogenated oils. As with all food, it is imperative that you read the label before eating nutrition bars to avoid these harmful ingredients.

Another common misconception is that it is fine to add nutrition bars to your diet without subtracting any other caloric intake. For endurance athletes competing under extreme conditions, this may be true. However, for the average consumer, nutrition bars have far too many calories to add to your diet without making any changes elsewhere.

Therefore, before running out and buying a case of the latest greatest nutrition bar to hit the market, it is important to consider your objectives and needs in choosing to add nutrition bars to your diet, and to make your selection and dietary adjustments accordingly.

Overall, nutrition bars can be beneficial for:

A healthy meal replacement (only for one meal a day) for obese individuals or for busy professionals who would otherwise eat fast food or skip meals to keep up with their hectic schedules.
A convenient method of adding protein to your diet when extra protein is required for health or athletic reasons.
A way to add nutrients to your diet that may otherwise be difficult to obtain, i.e. flaxseed oil and certain vitamins.

How to choose the right nutrition bar for you

As mentioned above, many nutrition bars have specific ingredients targeted for different types of people. Therefore, it is important to keep this in mind when making your selection. As a general guideline, it is best to stick to the following:

Look for bars made with whole foods, unprocessed grains, fruits, soy, and nuts.
Avoid bars with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, refined sugar, artificial flavors, chemical additives, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners.
Choose bars under seven grams of fat and under 230 calories.
Make certain the bar has fiber and protein.
As a bonus, select bars made with organic ingredients and fortified with vitamins and minerals.

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Date: Saturday, 31 July, 2010

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The health information provided by Health Lines News should not be relied on as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, wellness, diet or nutrition you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.