How to Use Energy Bars to Supplement Your Diet and Improve Performance

Maybe you feel like if you eat less, you'll lose weight. Or you're on the go too much, and don't have the luxury of eating well rounded meals. Or you don't feel like you have the time to prepare food. These are just some of the reasons that lead people to not eat properly throughout the day. The problem is, proper eating is a key ingredient in proper recovery. Ergo, you can work out as hard as you want, but if you don't refuel and repair your system with the essential macronutrients, you're going nowhere fast. Your body will just gradually break down and you'll either have subpar workouts, or even worse, get injured.

So, what's a busy person to do? Fortunately there is a great way to supplement your diet and aid recovery-energy bars. I have been using them myself for years now to great success. They are shelf stable, portable, and very convenient. With that in mind, here are some tips on integrating these supplements into your diet to maximize recovery and help weight loss.

What kind of energy bars should I eat?

The answer to this question lies primarily with how you're using them to supplement your diet. If you actually have time to eat the aforementioned well rounded meals and just want a snack to curb your appetite and boost your carbohydrate intake, there are many relatively lower calorie bars out there. For example, Clif Mini Bars are a great tasting option, containing just 100 calories and 18 grams of carbohydrates (comparable or even slightly less than the typical granola bar) but contain 4 grams of protein, which will make them a little more filling than the standard snack. Soyjoy bars are made of soy protein and are also in the lower calorie range, 130 a piece. If you're looking for something a little more substantial, Luna Bars contain 170 calories, 30 grams of carbs and 10 grams of protein. On the higher end of the spectrum would be standard Clif bars, which pack about 230 calories, 45 grams carbs and 10 grams protein per bar, as well as the original Powerbar with similar statistics. These are just a few examples of the "snack" energy bars on the market.

If you're looking for a meal replacement and not just a snack, there are plenty of options as well. Powerbar makes a protein bar that packs about 300 calories, 40 grams carbohydrates and 25 grams of protein. They're very filling and come in a variety of good flavors. Snickers also makes two varieties of bars that are similar nutritionally. Active males who are running and cross training a lot may be looking for even more than this. I recommend the Met-Rx "Big 100" protein bar, which contains a whopping 50 grams of carbohydrate and 28 grams of protein, but relatively little fat and 370 calories a piece. Again, these are just a few examples of the bars that are on the market.

Where can I buy energy bars?

When you think energy bars you might be inclined to think of places like GNC and other stores that sell bodybuilding supplements. While it's true that you can purchase them at these types of stores, there are other options. Grocery stores also typically carry a small selection of bars. I have found that box stores such as Target and Wal-Mart have a better selection and are generally cheaper. The latter is where I purchase my energy bars, as the selection is the best in my area and also the cheapest. Speaking of price. . .

How much can I expect to pay?

Energy bars are convenient, portable, shelf stable, and relatively good for you, containing carbohydrates, protein, some fiber, and even vitamins and minerals. So you know there has to be a downside, and that is the price. Approximately $1 per bar is about as cheap as you can find, with many places being more expensive. It's worth it to price shop. However, if you think about it, $1 is not much more than you can expect to pay for a candy bar out of the vending machine, and is much healthier. Also keep in mind if you're going to be using protein bars as meal replacements, that's less food you have to buy as well.

As I've mentioned before, I believe that carbohydrate intake is somewhat overemphasized with respect to running and even fitness in general. While there's no need to eat like a professional bodybuilder, if you're working out hard on a daily basis, your body needs protein to both help store carbs in the form of glycogen, repair muscles, and so forth. Energy bars are a very convenient way to do that, especially if you're like me and don't find lunchmeat sandwiches particularly appealing. Experiment with different types to find what taste and brands appeal to you, and you could reap good results like I do.