A good protein bar is a must-have for anyone. These are great healthy snacks that you can enjoy whether you buy them in the store or make your own. You might be looking for ways to make your protein bars.
Store-bought protein bars have their advantages, requiring no time in the kitchen. There are also some great products you can use if you like them. You can stick with store-bought protein bars. We’ll discuss the potential pitfalls and help you avoid them. We’ll then discuss how homemade protein bars can help avoid these drawbacks and answer common questions about their making. We’ll end with some killer homemade protein bars recipes.
Are protein bars making you poopy?
Some protein bars sold in stores can make you scream for help. They contain ingredients known to cause GI discomfort, such as sugar alcohols and added fiber.
Fiber can be wonderful. However, the high amounts of added fiber in some bars (up to 10 or 15g) can make it difficult for your body to handle all at once. This is especially true if you’re not used to dealing with such large quantities. This can lead to gas, bloating, cramping, and pooping.
Sugar alcohols are another major culprit, popular in low-sugar or sugar-free protein bars. Although everyone’s tolerance for sugar alcohol is different, many people can experience GI issues.
What ingredients should you stay away from in protein bars?
There is no one set of ingredients that everyone should avoid. It would help if you considered your individual preferences when choosing which protein bars you will buy.
What should you add to homemade protein bars?
You can do whatever you like! There are many options, but there are some common ingredients that you will find in homemade protein bars. These ingredients add flavor, nutrition, and texture.
Nut and seed butter are the main ingredients in almost all homemade protein bars.
It gives the bars a delicious flavor, a crunchy texture or smooth texture depending on your preference and helps to hold them together. Ansari adds a nut oil to her homemade bars to increase the amount of fat, fiber and protein. Many great choices, including peanut, cashew and sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
Dried fruit is another great addition. It sweetens your bar with naturally occurring Sugars and provides fiber and vitamins, as well as chewiness and binding. Ansari states that she loves adding chopped dates or raisins to her bars. Also, dried apples, blueberries and pineapples, as well as cherries or raisins, work well.
How can you get enough protein in your protein bars?
The purpose of your bar will determine how much you need. A balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, and fat is better for you if you want to make a snack, sweet treat, or filling snack. Ansari states that combining several ingredients with a small amount of protein (such as nut butter, seed butter, or whole nuts) can help you reach a lower protein goal (7 or 8 grams).
You may need to use a concentrated form of protein if you are making bars after a workout or as your main source of protein at breakfast. For refrigerated bars, eggs (for baked bars) and protein powder.
Are protein bars bad for you?
Nope. No.
Ansari states that protein bars can be incorporated into a balanced eating plan. Ansari generally advocates a food-first approach. This means that you can satisfy most of your protein needs using other types of foods, such as meat, egg, pea protein-based substitutes, fish, and nondairy options fortified to plant protein, and then add protein bars to fill in any fueling gaps.