Are You Consumer Smart About Protein Bars?

Got to love the power of marketing when they claim to have the highest level of protein in their meal replacement bars. But what they don't tell you in their marketing ploy are the 25 or more other ingredients that are part of their "all natural" bars. Unless you are consumer smart how would you know if the ingredients are actually "all natural".

When reading your labels here are some of the ingredients you NEED to avoid:

Soy Protein Isolate - The majority of soy found in our products are genetically modified. Many bars on the market today include this highly processed substance as their main source of protein, which is a cheap form of protein. This is why they are able to offer these bars at a reasonable price.

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) - According the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition this ingredient can run havoc on your metabolism, increase abdominal fat and has been known to contribute to diabetes, obesity, fatty liver, and CVD.

Fractionated/hydrogenated palm kernel oil - This ingredient is found in the chocolate that is coating your protein bar. To allow this chocolate covered product to be "shelf-stable" it is extremely high in saturated fats. The process of extracting the oil from the kernel includes extreme heat and the use of chemical solvents which is even worse than the saturated fats that you should be concerned with.

Artificial sweeteners - We all know that the consumption of excess sugar isn't good for you, but artificial sweeteners aren't the answer. Our bodies do not recognize these substances any differently than regular sugar. Once you consume an artificial sweetener your stomach takes it in as a carbohydrate and the brain expects nutrition. There are no benefits to artificial sweeteners as there is no nutritional value in them and your body will start craving more sugar. Too much sugar and refined carbohydrates will turn into fat.

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) - This is a lab made chemical preservative that is added to our foods to prolong shelf life. It may cause our bodies to have an allergic reaction, endocrine disruption, thyroid and kidney problems.

Natural Flavorings - Don't be fooled by the word "natural". As long as the manufacturer starts out with a natural ingredient they can do what they want with it and still call it natural no matter how many chemical solvents or denaturing processing they use.

Not all protein bars are equal. Read your labels! Look for un-denatured whey protein, plant-based proteins like hemp, pea, brown rice or chia. The sugars should come from dates, cranberries, fruits, coconut sugar or honey. The less ingredients listed the better.

I have earned my AS in Health and Fitness, BS in Kinesiology, MBA. I have been in the fitness industry for over 20 years and I am AFAA certified in Personal Training and Primary Group Execise along with Spinning and TRX both Suspension and RIPPED.


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