Myths and Facts About Popular Health Foods

Protein bars are often marketed to the public as a healthy choice for a post-workout snack or even a meal replacement. But these healthy “staples” may not be actually healthy at all. While there are dozens of varieties out there, many dieticians typically recommend staying away from packaged protein bars because of their high sugar content. In a study that compared protein bars to candy bars, researchers found that both the candy bar and the protein bar led to a blood sugar drop about 45 minutes after consumption. Protein bars may contain sugar alcohols (reduced calorie sweetener), which may be the reason why there was not a large spike in blood sugar seen in the study participants. Low blood sugar can cause negative effects including dizziness and confusion. Dietitians may recommend getting protein from healthier, less-processed sources such as greek yogurt or lean meats.