Protein Bars For Breakfast?

Dear Caring Medical,
Every morning I have a protein bar for breakfast. Do protein bars contain enough nutrients and vitamins to substitute for a meal? I never have time to cook in the morning and I have low energy, so a protein bar is very convenient for me to eat on the way to work. How do I know which ones are healthy to eat?

Sincerely,
J


There are a lot of protein bars out there. With all of the mixed conceptions of "what’s healthy" it can be hard to tell if your protein bar is really as nutritious as it says it is. It’s sad to say, but most protein bars are just as unhealthy as candy bars. Most protein bars have vitamins, fiber, and protein, but are loaded with sugar or coated in chocolate to make it taste good. Protein bars are convenient and that is why they are so popular. People can grab one and eat it on the way to work and "on the go" or as a snack. This is what makes protein bars the greatest thing that has happened – but in reality, they can cause your body health problems because of the sugar, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners.

When shopping for protein bars, make sure they do not contain high levels of fructose, corn syrup, soy protein, juice concentrates, and hydrogenated oils. Even though there are vitamins and protein in most of these bars, it is healthier to make something yourself for energy or protein. You need to eat the right foods to give your body the energy it deserves. When you go to the gas station, you have to make sure you put the right type of fuel in your car or it will break down - right? Our bodies are just the same! You don’t want to put the wrong fuel (foods) in your body, because it will make us sick. When you want to give yourself an energy boost, you’ll want to eat foods that have long lasting energy, not foods that will make your body come crashing down an hour after you eat them. Many protein bars will only give you short term energy. Many of them contain artificially made sweeteners and preservatives that if consumed regularly could lead to other health problems.

J, since you don’t have much time to cook in the morning and you need some energy, try eating a healthier breakfast by making something that’s quick to fix. Eat a hard boiled egg, whole wheat toast, oatmeal, high fiber cereal with soy milk, or last night’s dinner leftovers. There are many meals that you can make that don’t take long to fix. Instead of eating protein bars for energy, or for more protein, or as meal replacements, start eating real fresh foods. Your body will start feeling better and have more energy from natural healthy foods.