In a highly-stressful and demanding world, we’re often faced with nutritional deficiencies and low energy levels throughout the day. This is a gradual accumulation of bad eating habits and a lack of nutrient-rich foods, leading to an overall lower quality of life. We’ve all been guilty of it, grabbing a quick snack from the vending machine, or skipping meals due to an especially busy day.

But even with a less-than-ideal diet, you don’t have to be running on fumes all the time. Why not switch to a quick and easy way to refuel your body and get back on track? Think about all those days when you didn’t have enough time to make a glorious Protein-packed smoothie, opting for a much less healthy alternative instead. How about you get the same level of nutrition and energy but with a snack that’s easier to make and store – in the form of a tasty and super-charged protein Bar you can easily take anywhere with you?

Benefits of Protein Bars

There’s a lot of talk about why these bars are a great snack choice, with many people raving about their potential health benefits. But how much of it is true and what exactly makes them so special? Of course, everyone’s metabolism may react differently to different types of food, but such bars can generally be beneficial for the following reasons:

Improved Muscle Growth and Performance

Any fitness enthusiast or athlete knows the importance of protein for muscle repair and growth. When you’re performing exercises of any kind, your muscles go through a lot of breakdown and damage. With each rep and set, your body needs fuel to recover and build back up.

When you’re leaning on your regular meals, it’s not always easy to get the protein you need in the desired quantity – some of us may be vegan or have dietary restrictions that limit our options. It’s with these bars, however, that you can get a quick and easy boost of muscle-building nutrients without having to worry about a meal plan.

Moreover, they may assist in healthy weight loss by providing the right amount of energy and nutrients to support your physical activity. You won’t be tempted to overindulge, and you’ll be able to stay on track with your diet.

Sustained Energy Levels

If you often find yourself struggling with brain fog or low energy levels in the middle of the day, a protein bar could be your saving grace. Natural ingredients like nuts and oats provide sustained energy release as the carbohydrates are digested slowly, providing you with the fuel you need for a long day.

This, in turn, means that you’re lowering your sugar intake from unhealthy snacks like candy bars and chocolates. The slow-release energy from natural ingredients helps you stay focused and energised for hours, without the need for additional pick-me-ups during the day.

Better Digestion and Heart Health

The way we go about our dietary program is reflected in our overall gut health. If you’re constantly nibbling on unhealthy snacks, it can lead to bloating, indigestion, and other digestive issues. All these potentially damaging effects can easily be avoided (or at least reduced) by opting for a healthier snack like a bar loaded with protein.

Moreover, if you’re trying to lower your cholesterol and maintain a healthy heart, these nutritious bars can be a great way to do that. They’re inherently high in fibre, which is known to lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The more natural the bar, the higher the fibre content and better the health benefits.

When Should You Eat Protein Bars?

While the timing of your protein intake depends on your specific needs and goals, the general number is limited to only one or two in the span of 24 hours. Eating too many of these bars can put you over your daily calorie limit and have the opposite effect of what you’re trying to achieve.

The main side effect is weight gain, which is caused by the protein’s inability to burn as many calories as it’s supplied with. Ideally, you want to aim for one protein bar before or after a workout session – when your body needs an extra energy boost – and one in between meals or as a late-night snack.

What Protein Bars Should You Avoid?

Believe it or not, there are some instances where eating a bar based on protein is not the right choice, albeit it may seem like one. It mainly depends on your current goals and what your main concerns are. For starters, beef collagen bars are not vegan-friendly and should be avoided by anyone with an animal-free diet. They’re also not suitable for muscle growth and repair, as they’re less nutrient-rich than plant-based bars.

Given its composition, it’s more suitable for people who want to maintain joint health, boost the quality of their skin, and improve the condition of their hair and nails. It’s quite effective in minimising fine lines and wrinkles, but the lack of essential nutrients that are found in other bars makes it a less-than-ideal option for athletes or those engaging in physical activities.

Those that are focused on muscle gain and performance should look for bars that contain milk proteins and plant-based ingredients like nuts, dried fruit, oats and protein powders. These will provide the necessary strength-building nutrients without having to worry about unnecessary sugars and additives.