What is your favorite energy bar?

[TandemWalker]

I have one of those every once in a while, especially 20 min. or so before an extensive workout. I won't name the brand, but one bar gives me about 17 grams of protein... I realize I can achieve the same more or less with 'real' food, but was just curious to see how others feel about these high protein/high energy snacks.

[ThunderCat]

There is really no need to eat energy bars before or after a workout unless you're running marathon distances. Typically I don't worry about snacks unless I'm running more than 15km. Your body has enough energy stored as glycogen and fat to last you that long easily. What happens when you eat bars before you workout is that you train your body to use blood glucose as its main energy source. Our bodies have literally forgotten how to use fat stores as energy. After training my body on a low carb, grain-free diet, I've found that my energy levels stay much more consistent through runs and I rarely hit a "wall". This is because my body has re-learned how to use fat stores for energy. And no matter how lean you are, you have enough fat stores to fuel a workout. Fat is much more calorie-dense than carbohydrates and is how our bodies have evolved to store energy. We eat plenty enough throughout the rest of the day to replenish those stores.

My two cents: energy bars are expensive, tasteless, processed foods that are over-marketed. Unless you are running marathon distances (and even if you are) just eat your regular food throughout the day. Your body won't starve.

[Heybales]

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@ThunderCat wrote:
There is really no need to eat energy bars before or after a workout unless you're running marathon distances. Typically I don't worry about snacks unless I'm running more than 15km. Your body has enough energy stored as glycogen and fat to last you that long easily. What happens when you eat bars before you workout is that you train your body to use blood glucose as its main energy source. Our bodies have literally forgotten how to use fat stores as energy. After training my body on a low carb, grain-free diet, I've found that my energy levels stay much more consistent through runs and I rarely hit a "wall". This is because my body has re-learned how to use fat stores for energy. And no matter how lean you are, you have enough fat stores to fuel a workout. Fat is much more calorie-dense than carbohydrates and is how our bodies have evolved to store energy. We eat plenty enough throughout the rest of the day to replenish those stores.

My two cents: energy bars are expensive, tasteless, processed foods that are over-marketed. Unless you are running marathon distances (and even if you are) just eat your regular food throughout the day. Your body won't starve.

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It's not about starving, it's about optimal performance. And not in the way that may sound.

You are leaving out the fact that while indeed decently trained muscles will hold more glycogen enough for 2 hrs decent effort, or longer easier effort, or shorter harder effort (it's all relative isn't it, "the wall" or "bonk" of going out too hard) - those stores in the muscle can NOT be put in to the blood stream to keep blood sugar levels where the body wants them to be used elsewhere.

That only comes from the liver - and brain and other organs need those carbs.

If those run low, because it's been awhile since last meal and you've been a tad active prior to workout, then you will feel tired, and gluconeogenesis will be converting amino acids to carbs for use as blood sugar.

This isn't a lot true, especially compared to what happens after "the wall" when muscle stores are gone and that process happens for the muscle too.

But it is exactly why a workout that may not be placed well with meal intake can benefit from a quick dense well ratio'd bar. And afterwards for recovery if your next meal isn't that close.

We all can't have fabulous schedules that places the workout in optimal placement to normal meals.

Regarding eating the bars training the body to just use that as fuel - it doesn't apply when you go workout hard enough. Studies have shown that unlike normal post-meal energy use (where the meal is used, not stored fat/carbs first), if the intensity is high enough the normal body energy sources are maintained, despite the insulin being elevated, which actually lowers for this effort.

So your normal ratio of carbs:fat being burned for that level of effort is still used, that ratio dependent on your fitness level and time in to the workout and intensity level.

Your body is smart enough not to be trained to use blood glucose when there is plenty of glycogen in the muscles and fat available - it will go back to use that energy source. Takes around 30 min unless well aerobically trained in which case it could be faster.

And if you are in low-carb diet, you just have the ketone bodies to use for blood sugar replacement, and your pace is slow enough you aren't burning through stored muscle glycogen. You pick up the pace enough you'll soon discover that eating low carb hasn't magically transformed your body's ability to burn fat at higher rates without enough oxygen - you've gotten fitter, VO2max has gone up, you provide more oxygen and now your body can burn fat at greater ratio at higher intensity levels.

But that will happen with anyone that gets more fit, low carb or not.

Only difference is your body has gotten more effecient at gluconeogenesis and usage of those ketones rather than blood sugar.

[ThunderCat]

I agree with you in terms of energy requirements for high performance athletes. What is being discussed here though, it seems, is energy requirements for a "5 mile brisk walk" or "hour long bike ride" (which I assume to be at a moderate pace).

What frustrates me is that energy bars and energy drinks etc are marketed to the masses, making people believe that in order to do any kind of activity they have to "fuel up". People spend a lot of money on processed bars, gels and drinks that are really not required in daily fitness. If you are a high performance athlete, I agree that you will want to look closely at nutrition to ensure peak performance. But if you're going for a walk, jog or bike ride just to stay in shape, eating a balanced diet will be sufficient to meet your energy needs. Nothing manufactured in a lab can beat the earth's own whole foods (organic fruits and vegetables, and cleanly raised meats).

[Heybales]

Agreed, convenience is purpose of discussion here I think.

It's also like some doing their first 5K or 10K ask about what mid-race gels would be good. While they could indeed burn total carbs going so hard so short, still not needed by a long shot.

[Spang]

I use Clif bar with out chocolate coating. THe oatmeal raisin and peanut butter crunch. If I am riding more than an hour I eat 1/4 every 20 min. That with powerade keeps me going and hydrated.

[jimmymac1us]

   I used to enjoy a king sized snickers! Now I occationally eat a Fiber One.

[flyboy]

@ TandemWalker, 

I'm a 3 time Ironman finisher, hence the stats on my signature line.  I've finished in 13hours and 44 minutes, 15 hours and 24 minutes, and 16 hours and 17 minutes depending on the venue and conditions on race day.  As for the individual disciplnes, I've swam the 2.4 miles in around 1 hour and 10 minutes give or take, bike in 6 hours and 15 minutes to 8 hours on a tough course and bad (read windy) day, and run a 5:30 to 6:15 marathon after swimming and biking.

[flyboy]

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@TandemWalker wrote:

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@flyboy wrote:

I can't believe that I forgot Sport Beans, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans that have added electrolytes and come in 100 calorie sealed packs, some even have a jolt of caffiene to give you an extra little boost.

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Hey @flyboy , I loke those stats in your signature line and would like to commend you, but would first like to know the time frame for these accomplishments! Nevermind, I'm just kidding! Thanks for the tip on the Jelly Belly beans - never hear of them before. Have a nice day.

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@TandemWalker,

I'm a 3 time Ironman Triathlon Finisher, hence the stats on my signature line which are the distances for the individual disciplnes that make up an Ironman race.  I've finished in 15 hours and 24 minutes, 13 hours and 44 minutes, and 16 hours and 17 minutes depending on the race course and conditions.  I'm not fast by any standard, but I get it done. My times for the individual segments are about 1:15 for the swim 6:15 to 8 hours for the bike, and 5:30 to 6:15 for the marathon after a swim and bike ride to get me warmed up.

[TandemWalker]

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@flyboy wrote:

@ TandemWalker, 

I'm a 3 time Ironman finisher, hence the stats on my signature line.  I've finished in 13hours and 44 minutes, 15 hours and 24 minutes, and 16 hours and 17 minutes depending on the venue and conditions on race day.  As for the individual disciplnes, I've swam the 2.4 miles in around 1 hour and 10 minutes give or take, bike in 6 hours and 15 minutes to 8 hours on a tough course and bad (read windy) day, and run a 5:30 to 6:15 marathon after swimming and biking.

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Wow! That's quite a record @flyboy ! Congrats! I Have done ALL OF THAT TOO and then some, but only in my dreams!

[TandemWalker]

@flyboy- After posting my earlier post, I can see how someone might it take to mean something different than was is meant. The congrats were sincere, the second sentence is poking at me.

[flyboy]

@ TandemWalker,

It is all good, I make fun of myself as a sport and I learned as a child never to take myself seriously. 

[TandemWalker]

Ditto!

[shanibug]

My favorite is Quest bars, they are delicious, most are under 200 calories, 20 grams of protein, 21-23g carbs, and less then 5 g sugar.

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@TandemWalker wrote:

I have one of those every once in a while, especially 20 min. or so before an extensive workout. I won't name the brand, but one bar gives me about 17 grams of protein... I realize I can achieve the same more or less with 'real' food, but was just curious to see how others feel about these high protein/high energy snacks.

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[SunsetRunner]

I really love the energy bars made by Hammer Nurtrition. Check out their web site at www.hammernutrition.com. I especially like their vegan almond cacao bar! You can order, the quality is great and they have other great supplements. I am training for a traiathalon and love their other supplements.