Are protein bars health foods?
Protein is likely to fill you up more than simple carbs will, Dr. Rimm said. That may be because protein helps our bodies release hormones that keep hunger at bay.
But many protein bars are also full of sugar. A chocolate chip Clif Bar, for example, contains 16 grams of added sugars, more than what’s in a serving of Thin Mints. A Gatorade protein bar in the flavor chocolate chip contains 28 grams of added sugars, twice the amount in a Dunkin’ Donuts chocolate frosted doughnut with sprinkles.
“By and large, they’re highly processed, high in sugar and salt — kind of a ‘Frankenfood,’” Dr. Cutting-Jones said. Dr. Rimm agreed: Many protein bars are really just “candy bars with a lot more protein,” he said.
Protein bars might make sense for someone who needs to increase their protein intake — for example, a vegan who doesn’t get enough protein from their diet, or someone who just had an intense workout, Mr. DiMarino said. But for the average person, adding another punch of protein into your diet — particularly when it comes with a lot of added sugar — is not going to make you healthier.
“It’s a snack for when you’re in a pinch,” said Stephanie Urrutia, director of performance nutrition at the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of California, Los Angeles, such as “if you’re going up the side of the mountain, if you can’t grab a full meal.” But it’s not meant to be an actual replacement for a meal, she said.
Some bars are worse than others.
Not all protein bars are created equal in terms of their ingredients and nutritional content. If you do want to reach for a protein bar, pay attention to the nutrition facts label. Opt for those with ingredients that you recognize, Dr. Nestle said. “If they’re largely nuts and fruit — that’s not bad,” she said.
If you’re having a protein bar as a snack or post-workout supplement, aim for a one that has roughly 200 calories per serving, Mr. DiMarino said, with fewer than five grams of fat and five grams of added sugar. And the amount of protein it contains can vary from bar to bar, but he said you might want to aim for one with 15 to 20 grams per serving.
