Few foods are so indispensable today as healthy snack bars. They're perfect for the busy executive, the athlete and the school-going child. Basically they're simply great food on the go for those moments when you just don't have the time for a proper meal.
It can be difficult to make the wisest choice from among all the options you will find on the supermarket shelves. Many products that are supposedly good for you are in fact full of sodium, fat and other health nasties. To help you distinguish between these and the ones that you can eat with confidence, you need to learn how to read the labels.
First you need to know the difference between a snack bar, which is supposed to keep away hunger pangs, and an energy bar. The latter is designed to provide you with a quick, intense burst of energy. This is great if you're on your way to the gym, on a hike or about to take part in an afternoon of sport.
The high-energy products contain an extra amount of calories. If you're going to be active, this wouldn't pose a threat because you will burn those calories anyway. However, if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you will put on weight in no time if you keep munching on these products. If you want to maintain your weight or lose a few pounds, go for a product that has no more than 230 calories.
Also check the product's protein content. What you want is a product that contains a lot of protein compared to carbs. Your body burns carbohydrates much faster than it burns protein, so a high protein content will help keep away the hunger for longer. A minimum of five grams of protein in the product is a good guideline to go by. However, make sure that along with lots of protein, the product contains a lot of fiber and little fat.
Fiber is essential in a bar that needs to stave away hunger. It takes a longer time to digest, so it keeps you filled up. It also helps to keep you regular. Try to find a product that has at least three grams of fiber for maximum efficiency.
The sugar and fat content is also an important indication of how good the product really will be for you. Sugar and fat make the product tastier, but should only be present in small quantities. Sugar can give you energy quickly, but too much of it can mess with your blood glucose levels. Fat is similar to protein and fiber in that it keeps you full, but it is bad for the hips and the arteries, among others.
You may find that the best way to ensure that you and your loved ones eat healthy snack bars is to make them yourselves. In this way you can control the ingredients that go into them. You just need a basic recipe and then you can vary the taste by substituting one ingredient for another.
It can be difficult to make the wisest choice from among all the options you will find on the supermarket shelves. Many products that are supposedly good for you are in fact full of sodium, fat and other health nasties. To help you distinguish between these and the ones that you can eat with confidence, you need to learn how to read the labels.
First you need to know the difference between a snack bar, which is supposed to keep away hunger pangs, and an energy bar. The latter is designed to provide you with a quick, intense burst of energy. This is great if you're on your way to the gym, on a hike or about to take part in an afternoon of sport.
The high-energy products contain an extra amount of calories. If you're going to be active, this wouldn't pose a threat because you will burn those calories anyway. However, if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you will put on weight in no time if you keep munching on these products. If you want to maintain your weight or lose a few pounds, go for a product that has no more than 230 calories.
Also check the product's protein content. What you want is a product that contains a lot of protein compared to carbs. Your body burns carbohydrates much faster than it burns protein, so a high protein content will help keep away the hunger for longer. A minimum of five grams of protein in the product is a good guideline to go by. However, make sure that along with lots of protein, the product contains a lot of fiber and little fat.
Fiber is essential in a bar that needs to stave away hunger. It takes a longer time to digest, so it keeps you filled up. It also helps to keep you regular. Try to find a product that has at least three grams of fiber for maximum efficiency.
The sugar and fat content is also an important indication of how good the product really will be for you. Sugar and fat make the product tastier, but should only be present in small quantities. Sugar can give you energy quickly, but too much of it can mess with your blood glucose levels. Fat is similar to protein and fiber in that it keeps you full, but it is bad for the hips and the arteries, among others.
You may find that the best way to ensure that you and your loved ones eat healthy snack bars is to make them yourselves. In this way you can control the ingredients that go into them. You just need a basic recipe and then you can vary the taste by substituting one ingredient for another.
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