Advertisers make it so that one would think protein bars and protein drinks are the Messiah to reaching and maintaining your fitness goals. This couldn’t be further from the truth for several reasons. One being, many of the “meal replacements” (bars or shakes) are being used in between meals, as well as in place of meals. The calorie content of these “foods” is often higher than a meal and contains an excess amount of fat (often saturated) and carbohydrates (particularly sugar). And, just like over eating any food, the excess is going to be stored as our dreaded foe, fat. Plus, the majority of the ingredients NO ONE without at least two doctorates can pronounce much less understand.
When you are looking for a protein shake, look for a protein powder that is low in sugars and fat. Then blend with water. Using milk, yogurt, and juices adds excess calories, and not the good kind. Remember adding fruit, peanut butter and everything the popular smoothie places add in, also add calories. Turns out your seemingly “guiltless decision” may as well have been Cold Stone.
The same thing goes with protein bars. Many of them are using all the tasty ingredients that are in candy bars and just adding protein to them. Read the nutritional panels. Look at the fat (and which kind it is, saturated is the worst) and carbohydrates. Then look at the back of a Milky Way…make a good choice and put them both down.
Now there are some bars and drinks that are everything a clean diet wants, but be assured, they are not layered with caramel.
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