[Nightwanderer]

A lot of protein bars are just candy bars with some low grade whey thrown in. What bars have decent nutritional profiles? Name the best ones you've seen so far. And no, flavor doesn't count, this is purely from a nutritional perspective.

[Iron Warrior]

VPX Zero Impact is what I use when I must absolutely rely on bars.

[pushinweightw]

Originally Posted by Iron Warrior

VPX Zero Impact is what I use when I must absolutely rely on bars.

Zero impact pumpkin, or sustain bars, both are decently clean as far as bars go.

[Danabolic45]

Prosnack Natural Foods Elev8 Me bars are the best I've tried.

[AFJON]

Originally Posted by pushinweightw

Zero impact pumpkin, or sustain bars, both are decently clean as far as bars go.

I agree, the Sustain bars have a decent profile and taste good.

[TheUnlikelyToad]

Originally Posted by Danabolic45

Prosnack Natural Foods Elev8 Me bars are the best I've tried.

Originally Posted by pushinweightw

Zero impact pumpkin, or sustain bars, both are decently clean as far as bars go.

Best of Best IMHO

[DreamWeaver]

Protein bars in my opinion should be just used as a junk substitute. They're handy for cravings. There might be some decent ones out there buy how are you really going to know. The only thing I really have to go on is if I eat too many do I get fat.

[ntrlmuscle]

Originally Posted by DreamWeaver

Protein bars in my opinion should be just used as a junk substitute. They're handy for cravings. There might be some decent ones out there buy how are you really going to know. The only thing I really have to go on is if I eat too many do I get fat.

calories are calories....you eat too many of anything and one is bound to "get too fat". The fact of the matter is, most people have either a bias,a misunderstanding or a combination of the two in regards to protein bars

a few common things you'll overhear...
"They are just overglorified candy bars"
A: Some, yes, but the majority are low glycemic,having a good vitamin/mineral blend, and have a significant amount of a decent protein blend.

"The protein is inferior in those bars"
A: Sure,the protein quality of a whole food meal is the IDEAL source to take in but protein bars should be used as a matter of convenience. I cannot remember how many clients i've had where having a whole food meal for EVERY meal was feasible for their work/school/life schedule. There are many times when a protein bar is a much better and cheaper alternative vs.eating out or not eating at all. if a bar consisted ONLY of hydrolzed collagen/gelatin, then yes it would do very little in terms of aiding in nitrogen retention. That being said, collagen/gelation is rarely the main source of protein and it is deemed inferior as it IS an incomplete protein, but when consumed with other proteins(whey,casein,egg,soy iso etc) it forms a complementary protein source.

Another "benefit" to them and MRP's is for people new to dieting they provide a set macronutrient profile/calorie amount that they can track. Portion control/understanding is a HUGE reason many people fail at their diet and having a definitive readout of what you're eating help keeps such a person on track.

I have a feeling i'm gonna hafta clarify a few things a bit later but in summation.....they arent IDEAL but they certainly have their place in any fitness enthusiasts regimen

[DreamWeaver]

I agree as treats. Or lets just say a lesser evil again I think you would agree.

And a calorie is a calorie is not a completely correct assumption. You said it yourself the glycemic index of the calories being consumed plays a very large role as do macronutrient balance (again quoting you). So if the bar contains too much high glycemic carbs or is not balanced they way the wrapper reads then it could be almost as bad as a candy bar. I don't trust what the wrapper says so like I said it really is hard to discern whether the bar is ok.

[Big BAMA]

snickers, j/k VPX pumpkin are the best.
I am constantly on the look out for a better bar. I am in the military and meal replacement bars are a must for at least trying to keep some resemblance of a diet while in the field. I try to avoid ones with high sugar and soy. most are candy bars and thats why I have to keep a look out.

[ntrlmuscle]

Originally Posted by DreamWeaver

I agree as treats. Or lets just say a lesser evil again I think you would agree.

And a calorie is a calorie is not a completely correct assumption. You said it yourself the glycemic index of the calories being consumed plays a very large role as do macronutrient balance (again quoting you). So if the bar contains too much high glycemic carbs or is not balanced they way the wrapper reads then it could be almost as bad as a candy bar. I don't trust what the wrapper says so like I said it really is hard to discern whether the bar is ok.

we're pretty much on the same page

but the statement of "a calorie is a calorie" is oftentimes overlooked by many in our age of misinformation. nutrition is a very complex issue but when it comes down to it, many overcomplicate it more than it has to be and a person that burns more calories than they ingest will lose weight and vise versa, a person that consumes a greater amount of calories than their daily expenditure will gain weight(note, i said weight, not bodyfat,muscle etc)

[Nightwanderer]

So far the Elev8me bars are looking like my best choice,
good way to sneak some fruit into my diet, which is honestly lacking. I eat plenty of veggies but for some reason fruit I don't eat much, aside from avacados and tomatoes.

Might grab a box of the pumpkin Zero impact bars to try too,
but at over 400 calories, it might be a little rich for my purposes.

I push myself to the gym, which is about 3 miles away, it's a nice warm up, but I like to get in a few calories as soon as I get there to make sure I have plenty of energy for when the workout begins.
Transporting a full shaker cup in a backpack is a mess waiting to happen, not to mention in spring and summer here in florida it'd get hot & nasty very fast, lol

[Force of Green]

Zero Impact pumpkin bars? Hmmm... Nice. I love Ostrims for a good protein source.

[pushinweightw]

Originally Posted by Nightwanderer

So far the Elev8me bars are looking like my best choice,
good way to sneak some fruit into my diet, which is honestly lacking. I eat plenty of veggies but for some reason fruit I don't eat much, aside from avacados and tomatoes.

Might grab a box of the pumpkin Zero impact bars to try too,
but at over 400 calories, it might be a little rich for my purposes.

I push myself to the gym, which is about 3 miles away, it's a nice warm up, but I like to get in a few calories as soon as I get there to make sure I have plenty of energy for when the workout begins.
Transporting a full shaker cup in a backpack is a mess waiting to happen, not to mention in spring and summer here in florida it'd get hot & nasty very fast, lol

You could always take a shaker with just the powder and mix with water at the gym, right?

[TheUnlikelyToad]

Originally Posted by Nightwanderer

So far the Elev8me bars are looking like my best choice

You won't find them at NP unfortunately. I tried to get them to carry many moons ago.