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Best Snacks - Healthy Low Calorie Snack Foods - Protein Bars

Protein bars are a great choice when looking for a quick protein packed snack that tastes great. Make sure to read the ingredients list and the food label to see the amount of calories, fat, carbs and sugars in the protein bar. They vary drastically and many of the popular ones are glorified candy bars, so do your own research and make sure you know what you're eating.

Once of the best things about protein bars is that they are truly a portable food. You can carry them with you just about anywhere. You can keep a box of protein bars in your car, at school in your locker and at your desk at work. A great tip is to put a box of them in the freezer. Frozen protein bars are amazing and they take a little longer to eat which will keep you busy for a while.

What To Look For

Find a protein bar that is high enough in protein (at least 25 grams per bar), low in sugar and low to moderate in fat. Many protein bars on the shelves will be higher in fat (over 10 grams per bar), so make sure you read what type of fats are being used. Stay away from protein bars that contain saturated fats.

Watch out for the amount of "sugar alcohols" which will be listed under carbohydrates. They will usually list carbs, fiber, sugar and then finally sugar alcohols.

The term “sugar alcohol” is somewhat misleading, as polyols are neither sugars nor alcohols. Technically, they are hydrogenated carbohydrates that, at the molecular level, have some of the structural properties of alcohols. But the fact that they are a type of carbohydrate has led to much debate among those concerned about carbohydrates in their diets.

Some manufacturers subtract the amount of sugar alcohols in their products from the total quantity of carbohydrates to yield a much lower “net carb” figure for their labels. They base this practice on the fact that indigestible carbohydrates, such as fiber, cannot by definition have the same effect on the body as carbohydrates that are converted to glucose. But sugar alcohols are only partially indigestible. So some people feel they should be counted as carbohydrates in their entirety, while others feel that only half the sugar alcohol in a product should count as a carbohydrate.

Taste is also a very important part of choosing a protein bar. If the bar doesn't taste great, then you will not want to eat it. Make sure to choose a few different types of flavors and different brands of protein bars before buying a huge box of them. Narrow down your favorite tasting ones and invest in a few boxes that you can store in your home and office for quick protein packed snacks.

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