For some people, protein bars are a staple part of their nutrition when they are on a diet. But are these bars actually good for your wellness and wellbeing?
Protein bars are everywhere – they’re at the supermarket checkouts, the pharmacy, the deli and in every corner shop. They’re very easy to pick up especially when you are in a hurry and they often taste far more like a sweet snack than an actual meal. These two minute meals are often clearly labelled ‘good for you’ by the marketing that surrounds them, but it is important to properly understand when you can use them and when you should opt for a proper meal instead.
Firstly, you need to be aware that men and women have different needs when it comes to protein. After a heavy workout, an average man can consume around 20 grams of protein and it will be quickly metabolised into muscle. Women, on the other hand, should only consume around 12 to 14 grams of protein after a workout. If you stock up on too much protein, and you do not burn off the excess during exercise, it is stored as fat. In that case, what you need to bear in mind is that you don’t need to have a protein bar on an ordinary day when you are not taking on much activity. Save the protein bars for when you have been doing a serious, weight-related workout at the gym.
Another thing to bear in mind is that some protein bars are absolutely packed with sugar in order to make them taste great. Have a look at the label and work out how much sugar it actually contains before you start thinking of it as a healthy addition to your diet.
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