Few foods are so indispensable today as healthy snack bars. They're perfect for the busy executive, the athlete and the school-going child. Basically they're simply great food on the go for those moments when you just don't have the time for a proper meal.
The difficult part is to choose from the myriad of products available in your local supermarket. Not all of the products that purport to be good for you actually are. They may have a high sodium, sugar or fat content, for example. In order to help you choose the best product, you simply need to look at the labels with a little extra care and a discerning eye.
An important distinction to make is between a snack bar and an energy bar. The former aims to simply be something to nibble on, so it is lower in calories. The latter's purpose is to provide you with a lot of energy in a short time. This makes them suitable for anybody with a very active lifestyle, like athletes and hikers.
The reason is that energy-providing products are extra high in calories. For sportspeople or those with a very active lifestyle, this shouldn't be a problem, since they burn off those calories in no time. If you munch away on these treats while you're sitting at a desk, however, you may soon find yourself packing on the pounds. A good guideline for those not wanting to put on weight is to choose products that contain less than 230 calories.
Another guideline to look for is the protein content of the product. You need a product that has a high percentage of protein in comparison to carbohydrates. This creates a good balance and protein helps you to feel fuller for longer. A general guideline is to go for a product that contains no less than five grams of protein. Take care, though, that your high-protein snack contains enough fiber and not too much fat.
Fiber not only helps to maintain intestinal health, but it takes a while to digest. This means that you won't feel hungry while it is in your insides. Most products don't contain much fiber, but try to find one that has a minimum of three grams.
The sugar and fat content is also an important indication of how good the product really will be for you. Sugar and fat make the product tastier, but should only be present in small quantities. Sugar can give you energy quickly, but too much of it can mess with your blood glucose levels. Fat is similar to protein and fiber in that it keeps you full, but it is bad for the hips and the arteries, among others.
You may find that the best way to ensure that you and your loved ones eat healthy snack bars is to make them yourselves. In this way you can control the ingredients that go into them. You just need a basic recipe and then you can vary the taste by substituting one ingredient for another.
The difficult part is to choose from the myriad of products available in your local supermarket. Not all of the products that purport to be good for you actually are. They may have a high sodium, sugar or fat content, for example. In order to help you choose the best product, you simply need to look at the labels with a little extra care and a discerning eye.
An important distinction to make is between a snack bar and an energy bar. The former aims to simply be something to nibble on, so it is lower in calories. The latter's purpose is to provide you with a lot of energy in a short time. This makes them suitable for anybody with a very active lifestyle, like athletes and hikers.
The reason is that energy-providing products are extra high in calories. For sportspeople or those with a very active lifestyle, this shouldn't be a problem, since they burn off those calories in no time. If you munch away on these treats while you're sitting at a desk, however, you may soon find yourself packing on the pounds. A good guideline for those not wanting to put on weight is to choose products that contain less than 230 calories.
Another guideline to look for is the protein content of the product. You need a product that has a high percentage of protein in comparison to carbohydrates. This creates a good balance and protein helps you to feel fuller for longer. A general guideline is to go for a product that contains no less than five grams of protein. Take care, though, that your high-protein snack contains enough fiber and not too much fat.
Fiber not only helps to maintain intestinal health, but it takes a while to digest. This means that you won't feel hungry while it is in your insides. Most products don't contain much fiber, but try to find one that has a minimum of three grams.
The sugar and fat content is also an important indication of how good the product really will be for you. Sugar and fat make the product tastier, but should only be present in small quantities. Sugar can give you energy quickly, but too much of it can mess with your blood glucose levels. Fat is similar to protein and fiber in that it keeps you full, but it is bad for the hips and the arteries, among others.
You may find that the best way to ensure that you and your loved ones eat healthy snack bars is to make them yourselves. In this way you can control the ingredients that go into them. You just need a basic recipe and then you can vary the taste by substituting one ingredient for another.
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