With today’s health and fitness craze, you do not have to
go far to find protein bars. There are a number of different ones
for each and every body type and diet on the market. Their appeal
stems from convenience and, most importantly, as the labels
proclaim, their great taste. However, these features do not come
without a price. While claims of “great tasting” and
“a good source of vitamins and minerals” are just a few
ways manufacturers get people to buy these products, one phrase
that most likely won’t be found is “good for
you.” “The nutrient profile (in sports bars) is very
similar to a Snickers bar,” said Jerrod Libonati, a
registered dietitian from Oak Park, Calif. “When is the last
time your dietitian would recommend a Snickers bar just prior (to),
or after, your workout?” The fact remains, however, that
manufacturers would like you to think otherwise. The protein bar
companies claim that the blend of nutrients in their products are
quickly absorbed by the body, the primary advantage in consuming
sports bars. “You have a good blend that is good for
individuals who work out,” a spokesman for MET-RX said.
“When you are working out, you tend to need a quick source of
nutrients.” These nutrients can be absorbed quickly, but
Libonati warned the bars will not have this desired effect if they
are not taken prior to physical activity. “People exercising
don’t realize that it will take more than one hour to begin
absorbing the nutrients from a bar,” he said. “Those
eating the bar just prior are doing no good other than creating a
placebo.” After comparing six of the best-selling bars on the
market ““ Designer Whey, Balance, Promax, Myoplex, Pure
Protein and MET-RX ““ it was found that each shared some
common ingredients. All six had one of the following four
ingredients in common: partially hydrogenated oils, palm oil,
refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup. It certainly seems
these bars might do more harm than good as a result.
Partially Hydrogenated Oils Two of the six bars
(MET RX and Myoplex) contained partially hydrogenated cottonseed
and soybean oil. Hydrogenated fats raise blood cholesterol,
especially the LDL (the “bad” cholesterol).
“Trans fatty acids are made from the process of partial
hydrogenation,” said Chris Roberts, a lecturer in the
Physiological Sciences department of UCLA and an assistant
professor at Charles Drew School of Medicine.
Palm Oil The four bars, which do not use
hydrogenated oils, instead use palm oil as a coating. Although not
hydrogenated, palm oil is the most saturated of all the oils, more
so than lard and beef fat. These bars contain between 3.5 and 4
grams of saturated fat per bar, about the same as in an average
fast food hamburger. “Palm oil is one of the only plant oils
that is saturated, along with coconut oil and palm kernel oil (also
in some of the bar,” said Roberts. “(They) increase the
liver’s production of cholesterol, which contribute to the
progression of heart disease.”
Refined Sugars All of these bars contained
refined sugars. These sugars account for the so-called
“energy” calories contained in the bars, including over
90 percent of the carbohydrates in the Balance and Promax bars.
Sugars like these cause an increase in insulin levels and slow
glucose metabolism, which, especially taken before a workout, hurt
performance in the gym. They also displace important nutrients by
supplying calories without any nutritional value. “Refined
carbohydrates are manufactured by processing whole foods such that
many of the nutrients are removed from the food, leaving a lot of
empty calories,” Roberts said. “Diets high in refined
carbohydrates decrease the ability of the body to effectively
regulate glucose, which is a risk factor for numerous chronic
diseases.”
High Fructose Corn Syrup For most of the bars,
high fructose corn syrup contributes most of the sugars, and thus
the carbohydrates. Commonly found in soft drinks and candy bars, it
hinders digestion and slows the metabolism of fat.
“You’re going to find that in most any bars, just for
the fact that that’s the main source, that’s going to
keep that bar together,” an EAS Myoplex spokesman said.
“What is used helps to texturize the bar.” However,
Roberts said that if eaten on a regular basis, one can develop
health problems. “This is a refined sugar that (possesses)
empty calories containing fructose and glucose,” he said.
“Diets high in (these) sugars increase the risk of heart
disease, diabetes and obesity.” Despite the nutritional
claims of some cheaply added vitamins, Roberts believes protein
bars are nothing more than candy bars with protein. “They are
not the same as real food. You’re not getting the fiber,
you’re not getting a lot of the other trace minerals,”
said Felice Kurtzman, UCLA Athletics’ nutritionist. An
important issue, especially for those who do not want to break the
bank to eat well, is the price of many of these bars. “I
think there’s a place for them, but I have a real problem
with price,” Kurtzman said. “I can’t fathom how
they can charge $4. For a student budget “¦ one of those small
sandwiches and a small juice (is a better option).” Kurtzman
serves as a nutritionist for all UCLA teams, and she says athletes
themselves know healthier options exist. The bars come in
especially handy during road trips, but, when possible, athletes
always opt for well-balanced meals. “For the most part, we
have a pretty well-educated group of athletes here,” she
says. “I think some do use them for convenience, and I
understand that.” There are a number of alternatives to
taking in these bars. “If you have time to stop in a grocery
store to purchase a bar, you have time to buy healthier
alternatives,” Libonati urged. It just requires looking
beyond the protein bar aisle.