The Shocking Truth About Protein Bars

Overview

• Protein bars are often perceived as a healthier alternative to candy bars.
• This lecture compares the ingredients and nutritional content of various protein bars to candy bars, specifically a Snickers bar.

Comparison with Snickers Bar

• Snickers Bar (50g):
  • 30g carbs, 25g sugar (58% sugar)
  • Main ingredients: Milk chocolate, peanuts, corn syrup, sugar, palm oil, skim milk, lactose
  • High glycemic index

Cliff Bar

• Cliff Bar (68g):
  • 31g carbs, 3g fiber, 17g sugar (41% sugar)
  • Additional 11g of carbs from starches (effectively 28g sugar)
  • Main ingredients: Cane syrup, brown rice syrup, soy flour, rice flour, soy protein concentrate
  • Contains ultra-processed ingredients

Cliff Energy Bar

• Cliff Energy Bar (68g):
  • 43g carbs, 5g fiber, 17g sugar (55.88% sugar)
  • Additional 21g of carbs from starches (effectively 9.5 teaspoons of sugar)
  • Main ingredients: Oats, brown rice syrup, soy rice crisps, cane syrup, soy oil
  • High in starches and sugars, contains seed oil

Kind Bar

• Kind Bar (40g):
  • 15g carbs, 6g sugar (37.5% sugar)
  • Main ingredients: Peanuts, glucose syrup, sugar, honey, soy protein isolate, chicory root fiber
  • Claims: Low glycemic index, dairy-free, non-GMO

Quest Bar

• Quest Bar (60g):
  • 25g carbs, 12g fiber, 9g sugar alcohols (41% sugar)
  • Main ingredients: Protein blend, polydextrose, water, almonds, palm oil
  • Sugar alcohols can cause GI issues

Pure Protein Bar

• Pure Protein Bar (50g):
  • 17g carbs, 1g fiber, 2g sugar (34% sugar)
  • Main ingredients: Sugar, tapioca starch, sucrose, maltitol syrup
  • High in starches, uses soy protein isolate

One Bar

• One Bar (60g):
  • 25g carbs, 8g fiber, 6g sugar alcohols (41% sugar)
  • Main ingredients: Milk protein, soy protein isolate, rice flour, tapioca starch
  • Contains soluble vegetable fiber, canola oil

Met-Rx Bar

• Met-Rx Bar (100g):
  • 48g carbs, 1g fiber (48% sugar)
  • Main ingredients: Rice starch, corn syrup, soy protein isolate
  • Advertised as a meal replacement

Rx Bar

• Rx Bar:
  • 52.73% sugar
  • Main ingredients: Almonds, blueberries, pumpkin seeds, brown rice, coconut sugar
  • Gives appearance of minimal ingredients, but contains processed items

Conclusion

• Many protein bars contain high amounts of sugar, starches, and low-quality proteins.
• Often comparable to candy bars in terms of sugar content.
• Hidden sugars and misleading labeling are common.
• No truly healthy protein bars were identified.