Hi friends! How are you doing today? I hope you’re having a wonderful morning! I have a busy day ahead with client calls and a fun work trip, so I wanted to talk about protein bars as a convenient on-the-go snack option. With so many choices available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Whether you need a post-workout boost or a quick meal replacement, it’s important to know what to look for and what to avoid when selecting a protein bar.
Here are some key ingredients to avoid in protein bars:
– Artificial sweeteners: Opt for natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or dates instead of sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, or erythritol.
– High-fructose corn syrup: Steer clear of this sweetener as it is linked to health issues like obesity and diabetes.
– Hydrogenated oils: Look for bars that use healthy fats like coconut oil or nuts instead of trans fats.
– Artificial flavors and colors: Choose bars with natural flavors and colors from whole food ingredients to avoid allergic reactions.
– Soy protein isolate: Opt for protein sources like whey, pea, or brown rice protein over soy protein isolate, as it is often genetically modified and highly processed.
Additionally, here are some brands that use certified organic ingredients in their protein bars:
– Urban Remedy: Known for their simple ingredient lists and organic ingredients
– GoMacro: Made with certified organic, non-GMO ingredients and are plant-based
– RXBAR: No added sugar, gluten, soy, or dairy
– Orgain: High in plant-based protein and free from artificial additives
– Aloha: Made with organic, non-GMO ingredients and free from gluten, soy, and dairy
– EquiLife: Focuses on high-quality organic ingredients and balanced nutrition
– Truvani: Made with organic, non-GMO ingredients and transparent in ingredient sourcing
– Perfect Bar: Packed with whole food nutrition and use honey as a natural sweetener
If you prefer making your own protein bars at home, here’s a simple recipe to try using rolled oats, almond or peanut butter, protein powder, honey or maple syrup, dark chocolate chips, chia or flaxseeds, dried fruit, and sea salt. By being mindful of what’s in your protein bar, you can make choices that support your health and wellness goals. What’s your favorite brand of protein bars? Share your go-to on-the-go snacks with me! xoxo Gina.
