naidu
05-24-2006, 12:22 AM
Most of the forum members are talking about energy bars/gels. So let us talk about what are energy bars and how to chose an energy bar?
The word 'energy' on any label simply means that the food supplies calories, not that eating it will make you more energetic. I mostly stick to eating healthy, whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Because natural foods contain the good stuff not added to most bars.
Energy Bars:
Developed in the '80s for people engaged in high-endurance activities such as hiking or sports involving running, energy bars usually have a mix of simple and complex carbohydrates. Some have moderate fat levels, while others contain quite a bit of fat. Many are vitamin- and mineral-enhanced, but those levels can vary widely between brands.
Nutrition bars
The line is fuzzy between energy bars and nutrition bars, but often nutrition bars have a bit less sugar and a little more vitamin enhancement. They can be used for meal replacements, but it’s important to also incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into meal planning.
Meal replacement bars
The name is self-explanatory. These are designed to replace a meal so they contain a meal’s worth of calories. However, they’re easily digested so it’s a good idea to pair them with a piece of fruit so you’re not ravenous before the next meal.
The word 'energy' on any label simply means that the food supplies calories, not that eating it will make you more energetic. I mostly stick to eating healthy, whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Because natural foods contain the good stuff not added to most bars.
Energy Bars:
Developed in the '80s for people engaged in high-endurance activities such as hiking or sports involving running, energy bars usually have a mix of simple and complex carbohydrates. Some have moderate fat levels, while others contain quite a bit of fat. Many are vitamin- and mineral-enhanced, but those levels can vary widely between brands.
Nutrition bars
The line is fuzzy between energy bars and nutrition bars, but often nutrition bars have a bit less sugar and a little more vitamin enhancement. They can be used for meal replacements, but it’s important to also incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into meal planning.
Meal replacement bars
The name is self-explanatory. These are designed to replace a meal so they contain a meal’s worth of calories. However, they’re easily digested so it’s a good idea to pair them with a piece of fruit so you’re not ravenous before the next meal.