Protein bars and protein shakes both offer a convenient way to increase our protein intake, especially when we are on the go and don’t have time to sit down and prepare or cook a more complete meal.
Protein Bars Are More Convenient
Both protein bars and protein shakes can be very convenient, but when we’re looking for convenience, protein bars are easier to have access and better to carry than protein shakes.
They do not require any refrigeration.
We can keep one in our gym bag or backpack and have one on our way to or from work.
Although most people will eat the entire protein bar in one sitting (and most protein bars are a single serving), which is perfect for a meal, or we can take bites or have part of a bar as a snack and save the rest for later.
If we need a quick pick-me-up or have a sensitive stomach, we might want to have half of a protein bar as we head into the gym for a workout or as a snack before a long run, and then save the other half for mid-workout or run, or after we finish.
Protein bars are also great for hiking, long walks, runs, or long cycling workouts where carrying a liquid protein shake would not be as convenient and easy to carry while training.
Protein Bars Have a Better Macronutrient Balance
Although both protein bars and protein shakes have different ingredients and nutrition facts, if we’re looking for a more balanced macronutrient, we will find that in protein bars vs protein shakes.
Protein bars usually contain some amount of fat and carbohydrates along with protein, while protein shakes often provide mostly protein if we’re making our own with just protein powder and water or unsweetened almond milk.
The best and healthiest protein bars brands, contain between 10-21grans of protein. Some of the brands are plant-based.
The macronutrient balance in protein bars can be better for certain diets and may provide longer-lasting fullness because of the mix of nutrients, including healthy fats.
Protein bars almost always have more fiber than protein shakes, and fiber not only helps digestion and improves bowel regularity, but also keeps us fuller for longer because it slows gastric emptying.
The carbohydrates in protein bars also make them ideal for pre-workout or post-workout fueling.
Protein Bars Are More Filling
In general, when it comes to fullness, it is typically better to have protein bars vs protein shakes.
In addition to the macronutrient ratio of protein bars vs protein shakes and the higher fiber content in protein bars vs protein shakes, protein bars tend to be more filling and have a more significant impact on appetite because they are solid.
Studies have found that chewing solid food seems to provide better fullness than drinking liquid calories.
The body may be unable to detect the intake of calories and nutrients in beverages as easily or accurately as when real food is chewed and swallowed.
This means that even when the number of calories in the protein shake vs protein bar are similar, we may not feel as full for as long after the protein shake.
Because the protein shake is liquid, it is heavier in our stomach, so we might feel full right after drinking it, but that fullness will not last long, and we may feel hungry quite soon afterward. Protein shakes are still very healthy types of meals with good nutrients, but to alternate eating protein bars and protein shakes will make us feel better.
Protein Bars Are Lighter
Consuming protein bars vs protein shakes during activities when we have to carry our fueling makes sense because protein bars are lighter since they are dry .
Another benefit of having a lighter protein bar vs shake is that the protein bar will not splash around in our stomach if we are going to be doing high-intensity interval training, plyometrics, jump roping, boxing, sprinting, running or Ultra running, or even other types of vigorous workouts.
If we do not have enough time to digest our pre-workout snack before our session, our stomach might feel better with the protein bar instead of a voluminous protein shake. To consume protein shakes post-training sessions will be much more efficient.
Protein Bars May Be Less Processed
We all know it’s best to consume foods in their whole, unprocessed state as much as possible.
Both protein bars and protein shakes are considered processed foods.
However, there are some healthy protein bars that use whole food ingredients and have very minimal processing.
Protein shakes, on the other hand, use protein powder, which are more processed, and if we buy premade liquid protein shakes, there are almost always tons of processed ingredients and fillers in them.
We should focus on eating good healthy protein bars according to our training sessions, work schedule as it makes it easier to have access to full healthy protein and nutrients and easy to digest.
Top Healthy Brands of Protein Bars
One- 20grams of Protein
Think!- 10-20grams of Protein
Quest- 20-21grams of Protein
RX Bar- 12grams of Protein
Go Macro- 10-12grams of Protein- Plant Based
Aloha- 14grams of Protein- Plant Based
Orgain- 10grams of Protein- Plant Based
No Cow- 20-21grams of Protein- Plant Based
KIND- 12grams of Protein- Plant Based
PRO BAR- 20grams of Protein- Plant Based
Eat Some Healthy Delicious Protein Bars, Great Easy Nutrition, Good Health, Healthier Muscles And Joints, Better Runs And Good Recovery!