The protein bar is a protein-enriched snack, ideal for supporting weight loss . They have many benefits and allow you to achieve your goal. The proteins in these bars promote satiety and thermogenesis, reducing cravings and calorie intake. In addition, they preserve muscle mass during weight loss. Find out everything you need to know about protein bars and weight loss here.
What is a protein bar?
The protein bar is halfway between a food supplement and a healthy snack. This is a bar similar to the traditional cereal bar. The only exception is that it is enriched with proteins : soy, casein, whey or even egg protein in its composition.
The carbohydrate, calorie, fat and protein content depends on each bar. Some are available in various flavors : such as chocolate , hazelnut , peanut butter , yogurt , fruit , coconut , etc.
This type of bar can easily be adopted by athletes wishing to obtain an additional protein intake. They can also be consumed by people wishing to integrate a healthy snack into their daily life when feeling a little hungry.
An ideal snack
The protein bar is much more than just a snack rich in essential amino acids . It is a real fitness asset, which allows us to benefit from its numerous nutritional and practical advantages on a daily basis. Since they are so rich in protein , eating protein bars can even support weight loss! Indeed, it has been proven by numerous scientific research that sufficient protein intake can promote weight loss.
Example study: The effects of high-protein diets on thermogenesis, satiety and weight loss: a critical review.
In this scientific study, the following is proven in particular: “There is convincing evidence that a higher protein intake (in protein, editor’s note) increases thermogenesis and satiety compared to low-protein diets”.
What does that mean ?
That proteins are much more satiating than carbohydrates and fats for the body! This, thanks to their ability to impact the feeling of satiety. By eating more protein, we ensure that we greatly reduce the risk of cravings during the day. Thus, we considerably reduce the number of calories ingested daily, and it is then possible to lose weight quickly .
Weight loss and protein
Losing weight logically implies losing fat mass, but it is important not to lose muscle mass. It is therefore essential to protect your muscles , to avoid compromising your sporting performance, as well as your daily well-being. Here again, high-protein bars can help you, as demonstrated by the 2017 study by Cava, E., Yeat, Mittendorfer, B..
This research shows that high protein intake helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss. This is explained by the fundamental role that proteins play in building muscle. Proteins are simply essential for muscle growth, since they are made up of essential amino acids . It is therefore strongly recommended to consume between 1.2 grams and 2 grams of protein / kilo of body mass / day in order to guarantee the good health of our muscles.
The protein bar can help us consume enough protein each day, and helps maintain our muscles. These bars are very easy to carry in our pockets or bags. Finally, they can be eaten quickly in case of a little hunger during the day, after intense physical exercise, or to replace a traditional snack.
Choosing the right protein bar
Several elements present on the packaging of your protein bar should attract your attention, in order to allow you to opt for the product best suited to your needs and criteria. We recommend that you check the protein content , that of added sugars , but also the quality of the ingredients .
For example, choose natural bars as much as possible, without questionable additives, to ensure that your snack is truly healthy! Here’s a quick overview of what to pay attention to:
The overall caloric value
If you want to promote weight gain, when gaining mass for example, then opt for a high caloric value. On the contrary, if you want to reduce your calorie intake, we recommend that you opt for a bar offering a maximum of 170 calories .
The amount of sugars
In this case, it is important to opt for a bar with a low sugar level , unless you want to get a little boost before a sports session. The content of sugar alcohols (polyols and sweeteners) must also be inspected by you. In fact, some people have very little tolerance for them, and may suffer from digestive problems after consuming them.
Protein intake
This must be particularly high. If possible, opt for a bar with a higher level of protein than carbohydrates . As mentioned previously, proteins promote a feeling of satiety. By respecting the previous criteria and this one, you will avoid hyper-industrial bars, with very low nutritional intake.
