Are Protein Bars Good For You?

Protein bars, or meal replacement bars, have been a major part of the diet food industry for decades, offering dieters a quick and easy meal option, packed with protein. But how nutritionally balanced are they, really? Are your protein bars helping you lose weight, or are they actually hindering your results?

"Protein is essential for making body tissue, brain tissue, brain chemicals, hormones, and immune cells and helping numerous processes take place," says Cara Stewart, RD, registered dietitian with Penn's bariatric program. "If you do not eat enough protein after surgery, you will not heal as well, your energy levels will be lower, you will lose more muscle and less fat, and you may lose more hair."

Not all bars are created equal

One of the biggest factors in determining the quality of your protein bar lies in the nutritional information on the wrapper. Some bars contain trans fats, hydrogenated vegetable oils, sugar, artificial sweeteners, or high-fructose corn syrup. If your protein bar choice has all of these ingredients, you’re essentially eating a candy bar in well-marketed packaging.

It’s important to read the label before making any food choice, especially when it comes to diet options. Educating yourself on the content of your protein bar is the best way to ensure you’re putting healthy, nutritional food in your body.

Good in a pinch, not a diet staple

Protein bars are easy to toss in a gym bag for an energy boost after an intense cardio workout or to munch on during a long bike ride, but they shouldn’t be an everyday choice for proper nutrition. A handful of nuts, half a peanut butter sandwich, or a cup of yogurt are also great options for protein and are just as portable as a protein bar.

Real food is always a better choice

Why choose a processed food as a source of fiber when you can reap the same nutritional benefits while enjoying a delicious juicy apple? In the long run, a body needs real, nutrient-dense foods. So if you need a protein boost after a long workout, opt for choices like meat, poultry, fish, beans, milk, eggs, or tofu, which are all good sources of protein, instead of a protein bar.

Lose Weight at Penn Medicine

Learn about medical weight loss in Philadelphia, and the Penn Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at a free information session about weight-loss surgery in Philadelphia.

There, you will hear about your weight-loss surgery options, and how Penn can help you lose weight and get healthy for good.

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