C H O O S E
W I S E L Y
The Energy
Bar-Ometer
The Most Edible After sampling 30 flavors from more
than a dozen brands, we offer the following six taste-conscious recommendations. Yes, only six — out of 30.
Energy bars fly off store shelves
in America to the tune of $800
million a year. We talked to registered dietitian Cynthia Sass,
Prevention’s nutrition director, to
find out what’s fueling the craze
and how to smartly consume the
bars. — Haley Shapley
Why have energy bars become so
popular? “The term energy bar — who
doesn’t want more energy or need more
energy? The name [itself] sort of implies
something that you want. The way that
they’re marketed, a lot of people really
believe there’s something in that bar that
they need, that they’re missing out on.
They see it as a nutrition insurance policy,
so to speak. Plus, they’re available and
they’re portable. You can get an energy
bar at a coffee shop, at a convenience
store — pretty much anywhere you go.”
If you’re looking for a snack, look elsewhere. According to Sass, if you add an
energy bar to your diet each day on top
of the usual meals you eat but don’t find a
way to burn the extra calories, you’ll actually add 20 pounds in one year. “I’d much
rather see someone eating an apple or a
quarter cup of almonds as a snack,” she
says. “The nutritional value is very varied
in these bars. A lot have really minimal
ingredients, but others, you look at the
ingredients list, and it’s like a science
experiment.”
They do, however, work as a meal
replacement. Energy bars can be a good
choice, especially when you’re traveling
or can’t sit down for a meal. To choose
the right energy bar for this purpose,
Sass recommends thinking about a turkey
sandwich, which typically has 30 grams
of carbohydrates, between 10 and 15
grams of protein, and five grams of fat. A
bar that has roughly those numbers, with
some fruits and vegetables added, will
provide a well-rounded meal.
Going on a long hike or a bike ride?
Look for bars with high carbohydrates,
low protein, and low fat. “If the bar is too
high in protein or fat, it will be digested
and absorbed slower, and it won’t get into
the blood and provide energy,” Sass says.
But if you’re strength training … Eating
a bar with more protein and fewer carbohydrates will help you build muscle. The
optimal choice, though, is to eat a meal
within an hour of finishing your workout.
18
AMERICAN WAY
NOVEMBER 1 2007
< PowerBar Harvest in Apple Cinnamon Crisp Part of the PowerBar family,
the Harvest line has bars made with oats,
fruit, and whole grains. www.powerbar
.com/products/harvest
Calories: 240 Protein: 10 g Carbs: 42 g
Fat: 4g Saturated fat: 0.5 g
Tiger’s Milk in Peanut Butter Crunch >
Introduced in the 1960s, Tiger’s Milk touts
itself as America’s original nutrition bar.
Each Tiger’s Milk bar contains 16 vitamins
and minerals. www.tigersmilk.com
Calories: 150 Protein: 6 g Carbs: 18 g
Fat: 6g Saturated fat: 2 g
< BumbleBar in Original Flavor These
flaxseed- and sesame-seed-based bars are
gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, and
certified organic. www.bumblebar.com
Calories: 230 Protein: 6 g Carbs: 20 g
Fat: 15g Saturated fat: 2 g
Organic Food Bar in Wild Blueberry >
Whole foods, sprouted superfoods (like flax),
and antioxidants make up these kosher
organic bars. www.organicfoodbar.com
Calories: 300 Protein: 9 g Carbs: 35 g
Fat: 12 g Saturated fat: 1.5 g
< Snickers Marathon Energy Bar in
Multi-Grain Crunch The familiar Snickers
ingredients peanuts, caramel, and chocolate
are blended with whole grains in this line of
energy bars. www.snickersmarathon.com
Calories: 220 Protein: 10 g Carbs: 29 g
Fat: 7g Saturated fat: 2.5 g
Clif Bar in Chocolate Chip Peanut
Crunch > The Clif Bar was developed in
the early 1990s for athletes and is now
available in nearly 20 flavors. Seventy
percent of the ingredients used are organic.
www.clifbar.com
Calories: 250 Protein: 11 g Carbs: 43 g
Fat: 6g Saturated fat: 2 g