|
|  |
 | How do I choose a sports nutrition bar?
|
|  Sports bars are a convenient way to satisfy your hunger. They contain a variety of important ingredients including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. But remember that sports bars can't meet all of your nutritional needs. They may also contain unwanted calories or fat and are no substitute for a well-balanced diet. Physically active adults should consume foods high in carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and low in fat. If you're an athlete looking for a bar that will meet these needs try Met-Rx or Clif bars. These bars contain higher amounts of carbohydrates for those who are physically active. If you're looking for a snack but don't need extra carbohydrates, good choices are >Balance, Champion, or GeniSoy bars, which contain moderate amounts of carbohydrates.If you're concerned about calories, try Viactiv or Champion bars. Both contain only 180 calories per bar.>Powerbar, Champion, and GeniSoy bars contain less than three grams of fat per bar--good options for people on low-fat diets. If you're following a low-carbohydrate diet plan such as the Atkins diet, the >Atkins Advantage bar contains fewer carbohydrates and more fat than other sports bars. Some bars contain herbs like ginseng. A few studies suggest that ginseng can improve physical stamina and mental capacity, but more research is needed to confirm its benefits. Viactiv and >Balance bars are sports bars that contain herbs. Some sports bars contain soy protein. Eating a certain amount of soy daily along with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may help reduce the risk of heart disease. GeniSoy bars are a good choice for people wishing to increase the soy in their diet. If you have any allergies to nuts, you may want to avoid or be extra cautious with these products as they did not always include nuts in their labeling.Taste is an important factor in deciding on the right sports bar. These bars come in many flavors including chocolate, honey peanut, cookies and cream, strawberry-banana, carrot cake, and coffee. Sample several different flavors to see which ones you like best.Sources:
Sports Nutrition: A guide for the Professional Working with Active people. The American Dietetic Association, 2000.
American Dietetic Association--Position of The American Dietetic Association and The Canadian Dietetic Association: Nutrition for Physical Fitness and Athletic Performance for Adultshttp://www.eatright.org/afitperform.html. Last accessed 5/16/00.
American Heart Association--Vitamin and Mineral Supplementshttp://www.americanheart.org/Heart_and_Stroke_A_Z_Guide/vitamin.html. Last accessed 5/16/00.
FDA Talk Paper: FDA Approves New Health Claim For Soy Protein and Coronary Heart Disease http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpsoypr2.html. Last accessed 5/16/00.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “GeniSoy”. www.fda.gov/. Last accessed 12/2006.
This answer prepared 5/16/2000.
This information updated 2/7/2007.
|
| drug interaction
checker
Is it safe to combine
your medicines?
Find out. |
|
|
Copyright © 1999-2009 drugstore.com, inc. All rights reserved. |
view shopping bag
