Description
- Contains complex carbohydrates for slow breakdown
- Contains no oil or added fat, whey or soy
- Contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
- Chewy texture
- Digests easily
Whether you're out hiking a steep mountain trail or watching a grueling road race, chances are you've seen someone reach for an energy bar. Packed with essential nutrients, energy bars help promote and sustain energy to allow for peak performance.
No matter what your activity level, energy bars offer instant fuel and should be part of a healthy regimen of exercise, a well-balanced diet and plenty of water.
Choose Bars Based on Their Nutritional Content
While taste, of course, is a big consideration when you reach for an energy bar, we'll stick to nutritional analysis as a less-subjective way of making an informed choice.
Here is a summary of energy bars' nutritional content:
Calories and total fat content: Energy bars are all relatively low-cal and low-fat. (Containing only 100 to 300 calories and around 2-4 grams of fat per serving)
Carbohydrates: This is your main energy source, so the higher your level of activity and duration, the more carbohydrates you need. Look for energy bars with plenty of carbohydrates. (Most bars range around 15-55 grams of total carbohydrates per serving)
When you read the labels of energy bars, you'll often see simple and complex carbohydrates listed. Here's a quick breakdown of what they are and how they benefit you.
Simple carbohydrates: Otherwise known as sugars, such as fructose, glucose, maple syrup and honey. Simple carbohydrates can give you quick bursts of energy. Remember that sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup are dehydrating. Make sure you drink plenty of extra water.
Complex carbohydrates: Otherwise known as starches, such as grains, breads, rice, pasta, vegetables and beans. Complex carbohydrates offer you more sustained energy levels.
Protein: Helps your body rebuild tissues and recover after exercise/activity. High-protein bars contain moderate carbohydrates and usually more fat. This slows the entry of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels.
Stabilized blood sugar levels encourage fat metabolism and help keep your energy more balanced during activity.
Vitamins and Minerals: Our body naturally burns vitamins and minerals through exercise and activity, so the more a bar has to offer, the better. Most bars contain 100% of B and E vitamins. B vitamins assist in converting carbohydrates to energy and promote a healthy nervous system, heart, blood, skin and eyes.
E vitamins act as a natural antioxidant and help reduce the risk of heart disease. Total calcium intake per energy bar is around 15% to 45% of your total daily requirement (based on a 2,000 calorie diet).
Even though one energy bar may have a higher number of vitamins and minerals than another, it is important to look at the percentages of each vitamin and mineral in comparison, and what is most important to your particular dietary needs.
Sodium: If you're on a low-sodium diet or are participating in less-strenuous activities, look for lower levels of sodium. Most bars range around 60 to 90 grams per bar. The more strenuous the exercise and the more prone you are to sweat, it is better to look for higher levels of sodium to help replace what your body has lost.
Watch out for added ingredients. If you're sensitive to caffeine, steer away from chocolate, peanut butter-chocolate and mocha flavours. If you see guarana as an added ingredient, know that it is also caffeine.
Contains ActiCaf, a blend of natural fibre with a natural source of caffeine for long lasting alertness.