Diet is just as important as exercise. The body simply cannot build muscle without the proper resources.
I initially scoffed at protein bars because they can be quite high in calories. These things are candy bars, make no mistake. They don't taste as good as candy bars but they're about as bad -- a Snickers is 250 calories, and protein bars tend to run from about 200 to 400, even 450 calories. If you're on a strict bodybuilding diet you gotta ask yourself "would I sit here and eat two snickers bars right now?"
The other issue is that the bars on the market are never quite as efficient at supplying protein as a good powder. Muscle Milk's Pro-Series protein powder will run you about 15 grams of protein for every 100 calories. Even the best protein bars hover around the standard of 10 grams of protein for every 100 calories.
But protein bars have their advantages, never the less. Mixing powder drinks can be a tedious affair, especially when you're so often on the run, as us excercise-nuts often are. It doesn't get much more convenient than grabbing a pre-packaged bar as you walk out the door. Also protein bars tend to taste better than the powdered shakes. And perhaps most pivotal of all, eating a protein bar tends to be a lot more filling than chugging a shake. These protein shakes run me a hard 300 calories and when I'm done, I feel as though I haven't eaten at all. Powder is efficient and cheap, so I reccomend it. But it's something that can also be supplemented by the ocassional bar, and of course don't forget the most efficient source of all: actual food. (A can of tuna and a lean, high-portein wrap can net you 25 grams of protein for 140 calories!) But when it comes to real food, remember you need a little carbs with your protein in order for the body to fully utilize it.
I initially scoffed at bars, but when I moved my workout from home to the gym, I found I really needed something to bring. The gym is about a 50 minute walk from home. So 2 to 4 hours of working out at the gym, plus over an hour & 1/2 of transit time, I'm looking at approximately 4 or 5 hours in between real meals, with high intensity activity. I can't go that entire time without food -- not only would I be hungry but I run the risk of my body cannibalizing muscle for energy.
That's where protein bars come in. It's something easy that I can eat after my workout. And looking at the protein bar isle of the grocery store... I was instantly in love. They say alcoholics are alcoholics even when they're sober for years. Well I may have a lean as fuck diet, but I will always be a glutton. I used to have two desserts with every meal and I miss those days. It's been 7 months since I've allowed myself to eat this kind of stuff... and here I was looking at an aisle full of candy bars, all with names like "Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch," "Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel," and "Chocolate Deluxe Brownie."
Finally with an excuse to eat crap, I let myself have a bit of fun. I tried at least half the bars in the aisle. I tried 19 different varieties of protein bar, from at least 10 different brands. Here are the best of the best.
#1 Pure Protein
Chocolate Deluxe
Protein: 21 grams
Calories: 180
Taste: B
If there's a better ratio on the market, Giant Eagle doesn't stock it. No other bars will give you this much protein for this few calories. The taste is merely decent, and the size is moderate; like many protein bars the chocolate taste is very heavy and just a little bitter, but it's still pretty yummy. And there simply is not a more efficient protein bar available, major props.
#2 Met-Rx Protein Plus
Chocolate Roasted Peanut
Protein: 32 grams
Calories: 310
Taste: A
This is a larger bar. At 310 calories, it packs a certain punch. This should basically take the place of a meal, if you can't work it into your schedule then don't risk it. But on the upside, it is extremely efficient. At 32 grams for 310 calories it has a better ratio than almost any other bar. And then there's the taste... it's frickin' delicious. So if you can work these calories in, this is a bar to get. Met-Rx also makes other bars of similar ratios for you to consider. (The chocolate was merely decent, the peanut butter cup I haven't tried yet).
#3 Quest Bar
Vanilla Almond Crunch
Protein: 20 grams
Calories: 190
Taste: B+
This one seems a bit more rare. But it is very tasty and has a great efficiency. Obviously not as good as Pure Protein's best, but it gets the job done and is very nice for some variety.
#4 Pure Protein
Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch
Protein: 17 grams
Calories: 190
Taste: A+
Not the best ratio. For 190 calories we should be getting a couple more grams of protein in there. But goodness gracious, the taste. Utterly delicious. Caramelly, peanut buttery, it's just divine. If you find most protein bars unsavory, this may be one to try.
#5 South Beach Diet Snack Bars
Fudgy Chocolate Mint
Protein: 6 grams
Calories: 100
Taste: A
The ratio on these is pretty bad. But at a very slight 100 calories, they're an excellent snack to curb your cravings instead of falling on foods that will do you no good -- and if you can get a little extra protein in there at the same time, why shouldn't you? The taste is excellent, almost like a Thin Mint. South Beach makes a wide variety of similar bars: the Peanut Butter are also pretty good and have the same ratio. I'd like to try the Whipped Chocolate Almond and the Chocolate Chunk. Just be careful because many of their bars have a lot more calories, rendering their role as a dessert replacement almost pointless.
#6 (Runner-Up) Met-Rx Prime
Chocolate Brownie
Protein: 20 grams
Calories: 210
Taste: A
The efficiency on this bar is pretty good -- not quite as good as it could be, though. The attribute that makes these worthwhile is that they are big and hearty, they fill you up pretty well. And the taste is good. It's a little bland -- but with how over-flavored most protein bars are, it's a welcome change. And it tastes more natural than most, it has a genuine brownie taste to it.
In summary, Pure Protein's Chocolate Deluxe is the most efficient bar by far. Pure Protein and Met-Rx are both excellent brands with a variety of decent products for you to explore, but remember: ALWAYS READ THE LABELS! Even though some of their products are highly efficient, Pure Protein, Met-Rx, and South Beach Diet all have some absurdly inefficient products on shelves, and this mantra is bound to hold true for every brand you find.
If you're looking for more variety, Balance Bar brand puts out a wide variety of tantalizing-named bars for your enjoyment (S'mores, Cookie Dough) -- however, I must warn you their ratios aren't especially good and the taste really isn't amazing. I also do not recommend the Cliff Bar brand, it seems quite popular but their ratios are pretty bad across the board. If you're looking for something a little tastier, Atkins puts out a chocolate peanut butter pretzel "meal bar" which is delicious. The ratio isn't great, 16g for 210 calories. But it's a suitable desert replacement on occasion, just because it's so tasty.
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