Protein Bars

How often has it happened to you that the munchies or sudden hunger attacked you without being prepared with diet friendly snacks to satisfy that hunger pangs. When that does happen you are bound to reach for the vending machine or whatever you may find your hungry little hands on. And the chance of that snack being diet friendly is almost zero. To avoid this, you can invest in a pack or two of protein bars - a diets best friend. To help you choose the best protein bar for you, we will look at what a protein bar is and then I will share with you a few tips to make sure that you find the perfect protein bar - one that won't end up on your hips.

What Is A Protein Bar?

Protein bars are snack bars that are high in protein and sometimes low in fat and/or carbs. Whey, soy and other protein types are usually used in protein bars. The most popular bars flavors are the chocolate protein bars, the peanut butter protein bars and sometimes also the vanilla protein bars. A protein bar can be used to supplement a diet where a high amount of protein is needed and it can also act as a handy snack.

Why Should You Use Protein Bars?

Here are a few pointers as to why and how you can use nutrition protein bars to supplement your daily life:

• Burn fat - Protein help one to burn fat by supplying fuel for the muscles
• Keep your cravings happy - Most protein bars are very delicious and it is a great alternative for when you crave chocolate.
• Great snack food - Having a high protein bar (or two) in your bag will ensure that you always have something to snack on.
• Great protein supplement - If your diet requires a high protein intake, then protein bars can be an easy way to get your recommended dose.

What To Look For In A Protein Bar?

As there are lots of different protein bars - pure protein bars, soy protein bars, protein low carb bars , high protein energy bars just to name a few, it takes some careful selecting to find the protein bar that will be suited for your individual needs.

Here are a few tips to help you find the best protein bar for you:

• Read user reviews - If you are unfamiliar with the protein bar you are considering, read some user reviews to see if there are any review that says that the protein bar tastes unpalatable or if it is yummy.
• Check the calories - If you want to lose weight, your should rather go for protein low carb bars as they are higher in protein as in carbs and will also contain less calories. But be sure to check the calorie contents before you buy.
• Determine your proposed use -If you need a protein bar to help you build muscle and you plan on consuming it before a workout you should consider a energy protein bar to give you extra energy. If you need a protein bar to act as a meal replacement, there are lots of high protein meal replacement bars you can consider.
• Be-aware of soy - If you are a woman, I would recommend to rather go for the whey protein bars as soy can have an adverse impact on a woman's hormones.
• Read the ingredients If you are planning on losing weight, then a protein bar laden with chocolate will just hinder your progress, rather see if you can find yogurt coated protein bars
• Check the fat content - Make sure that the protein bar contains more unsaturated (good fats) than the bad fats (saturated). This will help to keep your cholesterol levels and your waistline in tact.

How To Make Your Own Protein Bars

If you want to try making your own protein bars, check out this recipe I found on home made protein bars:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR4v80kGy58

Where To Buy Some Of The Best Protein Bars?

Let's have a look at some of the best protein bars that are on the market today:

Trioplex Protein Bars

http://www.amazon.com/Tri-O-Plex-Protein-Bursting-Peanut-Butter/dp/B001B7FMRM

This protein bars includes whole grains - whole grains are full of fiber and sure to keep you full for longer, and they are high in protein (26g per bar).

Lets see what others say about this protein bar:

• "I've been ordering these bars for months now."
• "Chef Jays are the best protein bars I've tried... the peanut butter choc chip are YUMMY!!! "

The Pure Protein Bar - Worldwide Sport - Pure Protein Bars

http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Protein-Bar-Worldwide-Nutrition-Bar/dp/B001349TA4

This is a high protein meal replacement bar - this means you can use it instead of a meal. It is high in protein (30-34 g per bar) and low in carbs (9-16g per bar). It comes out in yummy flavors like: strawberry Cheesecake, Smores, Lemon Chiffon, Chocolate Deluxe, Peanut Butter, Chewy Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate Mousse and Blueberry Cheesecake.

Here is what others say about this high protein meal replacement bar:

• "after i found pure protein bars with 20 g of protein and less calories (170 calories) I made the switch.."
• "This line of bars (all the flavors ) taste so yummy!"
• "Pure Protein bars are pretty good in general, but the Peanut Butter flavor is by far the best. "

The Detour protein bar - Detour Deluxe Whey Protein Energy Bar

This is a whey protein energy bar- perfect for a pre or post gym snack. It contains 30 g of protein per bar and it is made of a designer whey. It comes out in 5 different flavors.

Conclusion

Having a protein bar or two nearby will help one to say no to cravings by reaching for a healthy and delicious protein bar. A protein bar can be a great gym and diet supplement to burn fat and to build lean muscle. And if you need extra protein in your diet, what better way to get it than with a high protein bar? Just make sure that the bar you choose will be the right one for you.