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From low fat recipes, to recipes designed for diabetics, Elaine Magee RD, MPH shares recipes and advice to create healthy meals that are guaranteed to please.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

What to Look For in an Energy Bar
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When traveling or spending a day hiking or wherever your summer plans lead you... packing a couple of energy bars along can come in handy. They have to taste good to you, of course, but what about what's inside?

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (and shouldn't THEY know what to look for in an energy bar) if exercising, it's important to select a bar (PDF file):

  • With about 25-40 grams of carbohydrate

  • With less than 15 grams of protein, because it's not a crucial fuel source during exercise.

  • Without too much fat (some bars can pack a wallop of fat grams) because fat slows digestion and isn't helpful as fuel during exercise.
They also suggest eating one bar about an hour before a long workout and if exercising for more than an hour, eat one high-carb bar per hour of exercise (and don't forget to drink ample amounts of water too).

Do my favorite sports bars follow all of the above?

Do yours?

~~Elaine

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Posted by: Elaine Magee, RD at 1:39 PM

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3 Comments:

Anonymous Dr. Eben Davis said...

Yes, some of these energy bars are loaded with sugar and fat. It's best to read the label as the author recommends. Also, it is easy to eat too many of these, which can actually cause weight gain. Energy Bars are a great food source if consumed along with a well balanced diet.

Aug 11, 2007 1:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You have got to be kidding. One bar per hour exercise. I am a competitive cyclist, Ironman Triathlete and there is no way in a competitive situation the body will digest 1 bar per hour. Check out the Hammer Nutrition web site for better information.

Mike

Aug 21, 2007 7:25:00 PM  
Blogger Ray said...

Dr. Eben is right. Some bars can have a lot of sugar that won't sustain a prolonged workout. As an ACSM trainer and I have found Phoenix Energy Bars are great. I eat one before every workout. They are supposed to come out with a protein bar soon too. Looking forward to that for after the workout. The bars are delicious. www.phoenixenergybar.com.
As for people like Mike, they load carbs differently for their competitions. Most active people would do well to listen to Dr. Eben.

Dec 25, 2008 5:49:00 AM  

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