How healthy is it to eat energy bars?

Food bars (known as energy bars) were first created in the 1960s, taking advantage of the space program's popularity by Dr. Howard Bauman, who sought to create a nutritious, safe, and healthy space food for astronauts. They were promoted by the Pillsbury company in association with NASA.

Currently, the energy bar industry is as big as its popularity, they have sold us as a portable, delicious, and "healthy" snack option. They come—literally—in all colors, flavors, and prices.

Which one to choose?

The answer is: it depends. These products are designed based on the tastes and needs of the population. There are sugar-free bars for people living with diabetes, protein-rich ones for athletes, low-calorie ones for those watching their weight, high-fiber ones for people who suffer from constipation, and others that could easily pass as a delicious dessert due to the excess sugar they contain.

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Learn to distinguish between the different bars on the market and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Cereal bars

These are the most common snacks on the market . They generally promise lots of flavor and few calories. They are generally low-nutrient snacks and must be accompanied by something else to achieve a complete and satisfying meal.

Pros:

• They prevent the feeling of an empty stomach.
• You can find them in any convenience store or vending machine.
• They are economical.

Cons:

• Most of them contain ingredients of poor nutritional quality (corn syrup, palm oil) and little fiber.
• They only provide energy (calories) and are mostly lacking in protein.
• They are not a complete food nor do they replace mealtimes.

Protein bars

Protein bars are popular in gyms because it's believed that eating a lot of protein will quickly increase muscle size, but this isn't the case. Building muscle mass depends on many other factors.

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Pros:

• Their high protein content keeps hunger at bay, making them a great snack when a craving strikes.
• They help prevent nutritional deficiencies because most of them are fortified with vitamins (mainly B complex) and inorganic nutrients such as zinc.
• It's a good post-exercise recovery option for people who find it difficult to carry prepared foods.

Cons:

• They do not have better quality (or bioavailability) than proteins of animal origin.
• They are expensive and -generally- provide an exaggerated (and unnecessary) amount of protein.
• Most of these bars contain a lot of added sugars and saturated and hydrogenated fats (those that are not friendly to the heart).

Nutrition bars

This category includes bars made with highly regarded dietary ingredients such as granola, amaranth, dried fruits, seeds, honey, and nuts. These products are high in nutritional value but also high in energy, meaning they provide a lot of calories.

Pros:

• They are nutritious and taste good.
• Good snack option for children and athletes.
• They provide fiber and antioxidants.

Cons:

• They are not indicated as a snack for people who want to lose weight.
• Most calories come from fat and sugar.
• They are expensive.

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• Health
• Food
• energy bars