Protein bars...

[JonnyDav]

Anyone like to give opinions on protein bars. Are they beneficial to muscle growth or just a rip off? I have been trying them for the last month and havent seen much difference, obviously alongside a healthy, high protein diet.

If you think they are wicked, any suggestions on new ones, because the ones I have tried are yukk!!

cheers,
jon.

[Canadian_Bacon]

Most are glorified candy bars. The only healthy ones I have ever seen in the store are: "Elev8me" Bars. All they have for ingredients is whey protein, fruit, nuts, and stuff like green tea, coconut, cocoa depending on flavor.

[Lost Dog]

They can come in handy in a pinch. They often have crap in them, but since most of us here want some protein as part of a snack, they are okay now and then.

Gotta pick and choose...

I've never had the Metobolic Drive bars, from t-nation.com, but I hear they are good. I'm not willing to buy bars by the box, as I tend to eat things like that too quickly...

[milkman21]

What would you guys list as the "least crappy" protein/meal bars you've found out there? They are awfully handy in a pinch.

I get "Pria CarbSelect" bars.
Upside: 170 calories, 10g protein (calcium caseinate, whey, soy isolate in that order), no hydrogenated oils, no HFCS, 2g net carbs, taste GREAT.
Downside: Lots of sugar alcohol in lieu of regular carbs, the bars are kind of "dainty"

[Canadian_Bacon]

FYI, ingredients on my Elev8me bar:

Whey Isolate, Dates, Cranberries, raisins, apples, almonds, matcha green tea.

5 grams of fat, 19 grams of protein, 29 grams of carbs(4 of those are fiber).

[milkman21]

Sounds good, where you get them?

[Blackjack]

Another good option is to make your own. There are recipes in Gourmet Nutrition and are much better nutritionally than the store bought ones.

Ted

[Tony Gentilcore]

Originally Posted by Blackjack

Another good option is to make your own. There are recipes in Gourmet Nutrition and are much better nutritionally than the store bought ones.

Ted

Totally agree with this. All I do is make my own and go through them like candy sometimes. I'll eat 2-3 a day sometimes. You're best bet is to just make your own cause: 1. It's cheaper. 2. You know what you're putting in your body.

[milkman21]

Have you found a recipe that's really portable though? I've made a couple batches that have to be eaten right out of the fridge or they melt all over...

[LunchboxMan]

i've been experimenting with a bunch of recipes lately and they all leave something to be desired tastewise or fall apart like MM said. the store ones i used occasionally are metRx's big100 - includes plenty of slow-releasing proteins (milk, casein, egg) and very low-fat, but they do include plenty of sugars sadly. my search will recipes will continue as i'm not giving up on that just yet

[Blackjack]

I've got a couple from Gourmet Nutrition that I'm going to try - a PW and an Anytime one. Will let you know.

[Lisa~]

This is my favorite homemade protein bar recipe. I don't put in as much peanut butter as the recipe says, but that's just what suits me. They do get a little soft if you carry them in your gym bag, but not so soft that they're a mess.

In as effort to give credit, I think this is originally JB's recipe.

Peanut Butter Fudge Bars

Some people have told me that these bars stick to their teeth, which might result from adding too much water. I try to use as little water as possible, making it more of a moldable matrix instead of a slimy mess. Just be sure to drink a lot of water with the bars so you can digest the protein.
Ingredients:
• 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
• 2 scoops flax meal (ground flax seeds)
• 4 tablespoons chunky natural peanut butter

Instructions:
1. Mix these together in a bowl, adding ¼ cup water (or less if you can manage) and Splenda, to taste. At first, it will seem like it’s not enough water, but keep stirring, and it will eventually become a moldable blob of dough that looks like what you would imagine it will on the way out of your body.
2. Divide the mixture in half, and put it into separate pieces of plastic wrap, shaping into a bar within the wrap. It’s easier to shape them by laying plastic wrap in one side of a small casserole dish, pressing the dough into the natural shape of the dish.
3. Put the bars into the fridge, or store them in the freezer. You can eat them chilled, or even frozen, or you can eat it right out of the bowl with a spoon if you’re feeling impatient.

Macronutrient Profile (each bar):
• K/cal: 380
• Fat: 23 g (5s, 11m, 7p)
• Carbs: 15 g (6 g fiber)
• Protein: 33 g

[milkman21]

Thats a good looking bar. I'm gonna try it.

[Lisa~]

Originally Posted by milkman21

Thats a good looking bar. I'm gonna try it.

Let me know how you like it. Just posting it made me want one, lol, so I had one for my afternoon snack.

I forgot to add that I also put in 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder to make it a darker chocolate flavor. That was a suggestion on t-mag a long time ago and I do it without thinking now!

Lisa

[milkman21]

Lisa, quick ?...

Could you define "Scoop"?

[RacerBill]

I'm afraid I'm not Lisa, but I recognize the recipe from GN.

"Scoop" = whatever the scoop is that comes with your protein powder.

It seems every brand comes with a slightly different scoop -- 16, 20, 25, 28, 33 grams. It's one of the little things about GN that can irritate me a bit.

Just use the scoop you have, and adjust the amount if you want more or less protein.

[Lisa~]

Originally Posted by milkman21

Lisa, quick ?...

Could you define "Scoop"?

Thanks for filling in for me there RacerBill!

Lisa

[milkman21]

Thanks for the reply, but I was asking in terms of the flaxseed. Same scoop for that, too?

[Lisa~]

Originally Posted by milkman21

Thanks for the reply, but I was asking in terms of the flaxseed. Same scoop for that, too?

Yes, because you're really just looking for a one to one ratio.

Lisa