The Booster Bar

Energy is the capacity to perform work from the bodys chief fuelcarbohydrates.

Energy is the capacity to perform work from the bodys chief fuelcarbohydrates. Indeed energy bars are eaten as performance enhancers for sports,post-workout refuelling,meal replacements,and even as weight loss tools. Made of grains,dried fruits,nuts,seeds,honey and high-fructose corn or other syrups,they usually do not have flours but have added fats and sugars.

Energy bars are a quick way to get between 100 and 300 calories and are rich in carbohydrates,calories and fortified with nutrients in varying proportions.
There are high-carbohydrate bars,low-glycemic-index bars,high-protein bars,40-30-30 bars they contain 40 per cent carbs,30 per cent protein and 30 per cent fat,breakfast bars,brain-boosting bars,meal replacement bars,diet bars and more. Some are nutritious and some arent.

Look for bars that are low in fat,particularly of the saturated and trans variety. A giveaway for the presence of trans fats is the term hydrogenated fat on the label. Some bars are a good source of fibre aim for 3 to 5 grams as well as important vitamins and minerals.
High-protein bars and low-glycemic-index bars can help vegetarian athletes,long-distance runners and those on high protein-diets. Go for bars with protein sources such as whey,soy,or casein. Meal replacement bars can offer dieters automatic portion-size control. If you skip a meal,eating a convenient bar can keep you from getting too hungry and bingeing later.

But they cant substitute real food. While energy bars may appear to have the same vitamins and minerals found in fruits,vegetables and grains,they dont contain the phytochemicals,bioflavonoids,and natural fibre found in foods. Look for the bars with at least 10 to 15 grams of protein.
Energy bars also are a convenient healthy snack for busy people on the go. They are better than the readily available high-calorie,low-nutrient cookies,namkeens or chocolates. Always look for high-fibre,low-glycemic bars as snacks. Theyre portable,non-perishable,and may be handier at times than yoghurt,fruits or other high-energy snacks. Many athletes report nibbling on them helpful during a long run,and they have proven to be popular with rowers,cross-country skiers,cyclists and sailors.

Energy bars dont really help recreational athletes or those working out for an hour or less. Even though they make for a good post-workout snack they refuel the muscles after the body has used the glucose stored in them through a 60-minute continuous exercise session,they wont build muscle or increase stamina. If the extra calories these bars provide arent burned,they can lead to weight gain.

If you are going on a long bike ride,for example,you would get the same necessary carbohydrate fuel from a bagel,a banana,or an energy bar. You will likely get more nutrients,found in its natural state,from real food. In addition,bars often contain more fat and sugar than you would get from eating a piece of fruit,bagel,or a chicken breast.
If energy bars and drinks are becoming their own food group in your diet,remember the adage,Have all things in moderation. These products arent harmful if you have them occasionally,but theyre not the healthy choices the advertising hype makes them out to be either.