Nutritional snack bar
This article is about the cereal bar. For similar types of cereal bars, see
Granola bar . For the video game concept, see
Health bar .
Energy bars vary in size, ingredients, and nutritional benefits.
A HOOAH! energy bar provided by the United States Army in its MREs
Energy bars are supplemental bars containing cereals , micronutrients , and flavor ingredients intended to supply quick food energy . Because most energy bars contain added protein , carbohydrates , dietary fiber , and other nutrients, they may be marketed as functional foods .[ 1] [moved resource? ] Manufacturing of energy bars may supply nutrients in sufficient quantity to be used as meal replacements .[ 2]
Nutrition
A typical energy bar weighs between 30 and 50 grams and is likely to supply about 200–300 calories (840–1,300 joules ), 3–9 grams of fat , 7–15 grams of protein , and 20–40 grams of carbohydrates — the three sources of energy in food.[ 3] In order to provide energy quickly, most of the carbohydrates are various types of sugars like fructose , glucose , maltodextrin and others in various ratios, combined with complex carbohydrate sources, such as oats or barley . Proteins come mostly in the form of whey protein .[citation needed ] Fats sources are often cocoa butter and dark chocolate .[citation needed ]
Usage
Energy bars are used in a variety of contexts.[ 4] Energy bars may be used as an energy source during athletic events such as marathons , triathlons and other activities which require a high energy expenditure for long periods of time. They are also commonly used as meal replacements in weight-loss programs.[ 5] They may be used as a snack .[ 6] For those who are malnourished, energy bars, such as Plumpy'nut , are an effective tool for treating malnutrition .
See also
References
^ Gill, Aakash; Singh, Ashish Kumar (29 February 2020). "Energy bars: Quick, Healthy and Wholesome Snack for Adolescents" .
^ "How to Choose the Best Health Bars" . Cleveland Clinic . 11 January 2021. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022 .
^ "Nutrition Bar Comparison Chart" (PDF) . Mesa AZ fire department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2009 .
^ Craig, Jacqueline (22 June 2013). "Meal replacement shakes and nutrition bars: do they help individuals with diabetes lose weight?" . Diabetes Spectrum . 26 (3): 179– 183. doi :10.2337/diaspect.26.3.179 . S2CID 28784565 .
^ Noakes, Manny; Foster, Paul R.; Keogh, Jennifer B.; Clifton, Peter M. (1 August 2004). "Meal Replacements Are as Effective as Structured Weight-Loss Diets for Treating Obesity in Adults with Features of Metabolic Syndrome" . The Journal of Nutrition . 134 (8): 1894– 1899. doi :10.1093/jn/134.8.1894 . ISSN 0022-3166 . PMID 15284372 .
^ Coello, Karín E.; Frias, Juana; Martínez-Villaluenga, Cristina; Cartea, María Elena; Velasco, Pablo; Peñas, Elena (15 January 2022). "Manufacture of healthy snack bars supplemented with moringa sprout powder" . LWT . 154 : 112828. doi :10.1016/j.lwt.2021.112828 . hdl :10261/275344 . ISSN 0023-6438 . S2CID 245747591 .