The Best Protein And Energy Bars To Keep You Going All Day Long

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In an ideal world, we’d be able to time our three main meals per day around exercise, work, chores, commuting and other activities so that we’re always optimally fueled, never hungry and always have the right amount of nutrients we need to feel good and function normally. Of course, having the time to prepare, cook, and sit down to eat three nutritional, impeccably timed and perfectly balanced meals doesn’t always happen as planned — which is why pre-packed protein and energy bars are great options for snacking when you’re on the go.

So what’s the best bar to have in between meals to stay optimally fueled, satisfied and healthy?

Energy bars are usually more calorie - and carbohydrate-dense to provide you with your body’s preferred source of fuel (glycogen) while keeping you energized and satiated until your next meal. Energy bars. which are generally made up of fruits, grains and other carbohydrate-rich foods, are the perfect snack to have about 30-45 minutes before exercise, and are especially great for fueling running and other activities where you’ll be moving for long periods at a time.

Protein bars, on the other hand, are best to eat after exercise as they contain an optimal dose of muscle-building protein and other nutrients your body needs to repair and recover from your workout. Protein bars, which contain some form of milk-derived or plant-based protein like whey, hemp, pea or rice protein, make a great snack about 30 minutes after your workout, or during the day if you need something more satiating in between meals.

With thousands of types and brands of energy and protein bars on the market, it can be hard to sift through the variety to find a bar that not only has the nutrients you need to be fueled and full, but also tastes great and is affordable enough to buy in bulk so you’ve always got something on hand for snacking.

Need help finding the best energy or protein bar for you? Here’s a roundup of some of best tasting bars with high-quality ingredients for all your glycogen-building and muscle-repairing needs.