Having a SMART morning! |
What is so SMART about these bars??
1. Whole Grain Oatmeal Bars--Yum. I love Oatmeal!
2. Gluten Free---enough said.
3. Whey Protein---this is something I'm learning more about.
4. 4g of Sugar per bar---Love this! I'm not a fan of sugar.
5. Good Source of Fiber---We all know how important a High Fiber Diet is!
6. Greek Style Yogurt Drizzle---You had me at Drizzle. ;)
7. 130 Calories per serving---It's Bikini Season, Thank you. :)
8. Yummy Flavors---Blueberry, Cranberry Flax, Apple Cinnamon and Peanut Butter Chocolate.
9. Portable---Super easy to throw in my purse for a snack on the go!
10. My kids like them---Sold. :)
A few years ago, I kicked the dessert habit...these bars are perfect for my low-sugar diet.
LOWER SUGAR LIFESTYLE
Sugar is added to more prepared food and beverages than you might think. With significant health concerns related to sugar consumption, The American Heart Association recommends that women shouldn't have any more than 6.5 teaspoons of sugar daily, and men shouldn't have more than 9.5 teaspoons. That’s not very much at all, so be sure to check the nutrition label before you eat packaged food.
Here are a few reasons to think twice about sugar:
Still Hungry?
There’s a good chance you’ll end up feeling hungry again shortly after eating something with high sugar. It’s also been proven that people who eat a lot of sugar crave more sugar itself!
Energy Issues
Consuming high-sugar food and drinks is often referred to as consuming “empty calories” because sugar has little nutritional value. You might get a quick short energy boost, but chances are good that you’ll end up more tired and hungry than you were before!
Oral Care
There is a reason your dentist tells you to stay away from candy. Sugars from food and drinks begin to do damage to your teeth within 20 minutes. The more sugar you eat, and the longer before you brush, the more likely you're going to run into cavities and other oral issues.
Other Health Issues
Too much sugar can result in devastating consequences including weight gain or obesity, which can lead to diabetes.
Sugar has also been linked to other serious health issues such as heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.
At Detour, all of our products are low in sugar. If you’re working on reducing how much sugar you consume, we have a line of Lower Sugar Protein bars especially for you!
WHEY PROTEIN
Whey protein is a high-quality, complete protein that is naturally found in dairy. The protein in whey is very efficient at helping you build and maintain muscle. It is also great for training and regular consumption, with multiple benefits including weight maintenance.
Overview
Whey protein is a mixture of globular proteins isolated from whey, the liquid material created as a by-product of cheese production.
Protein SourceSource: Renner, 1983 | BV | PER | NPU | PDCAAS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Whey Protein Concentrate | 104 | 3.2 | 92 | 1.15 |
Whole egg | 100 | 3.8 | 94 | 1.18 |
Cow's milk | 91 | 3.1 | 82 | 1.21 |
Beef | 80 | 2.9 | 73 | .92 |
Casein | 77 | 2.5 | 76 | 1.23 |
Soy protein | 74 | 2.1 | 61 | .91 |
Complete Protein
Whey contains all the essential amino acids, which are vital to your metabolism, and to making your body function properly for good health.
Branch Chain Amino Acids
Whey also boasts the highest concentrations of branched chain amino acids (BCAA’s) found in nature. Branched chain amino acids are an important source of energy during exercise and play a key role in protein synthesis.
BCAA Content of Food | Leucine | Isoleucine | Valine |
---|---|---|---|
1 scoop (36g) whey protein isolate | 3.2g | 1.8g | 1.7g |
1 scoop (36g) soy protein isolate | 2.4g | 1.5g | 1.5g |
4oz sirloin steak | 2.0g | 1.1g | 1.3g |
1 cup low-fat yogurt | 1.1g | 0.6g | 0.9g |
1 egg | 0.5g | 0.3g | 0.4g |
Benefits
Whey protein is an excellent source of protein for individuals of all ages who value the role of a healthy lifestyle.
Love that this is a small protein snack...sometimes too much protein is just not a good thing! This is the perfect size for me. |
WHEN DO YOU NEED EXTRA PROTEIN?
If you are trying to maximize workout gains or overall health and fitness, supplementing your diet with protein bars or shakes as a snack, a meal, or before/after exercise can be very effective
As a Healthy Snack
Snacking is a fun part of life, and eating a little healthier when that craving hits can make all the difference. When you consume high-protein snacks, you can satisfy your hunger and get the extra nutrients you need to get through the rest of the day. Snacking on a protein bar or shake is always a good plan.
As a Meal
A lot of people have a bar or a shake for breakfast. The protein boost starts the day off right and helps prevent overeating later in the day.
Bars and shakes also make a great lunch because they are rich in nutrients that provide energy to get you through the afternoon without turning to unhealthy snacks.
To Supplement a Meal
You can also supplement a meal with a bar or shake if you're trying to get bigger and have a problem gaining weight. A protein bar or shake about 10 minutes after your standard meal is perfect for acquiring the extra protein and calories you need.
Before/After Exercise
Protein bars and shakes have always been linked to exercise. They are great before or after a training session. Here is the difference:
Before
Consuming extra protein 45 minutes to an hour before you work out helps energize your body. You will also send nutrients to your muscles, which they need for the recovery and repair that begins as soon as you start exercising.
After
Getting protein into your body is even more important after a workout. You not only stress your body when lifting weights or performing other exercises, but you also kill your energy level, leaving your muscles tired and in great need of protein and other nutrients.
It’s best to eat something rich in protein within 30 minutes of finishing a training session. A protein bar or shake that you can take with you is a fast and easy way to do it.
130 Calories per Bar...YES!!! |
Delish! |
SPORTS VS. GENERAL NUTRITION
Athletics:
Whey protein was first used as a supplement for athletes trying to maintain and grow muscle mass. To this day it is the most widely used protein supplement for health and fitness. Here are some of the reasons that it is so effective:
The amino acid profile of whey protein is almost identical to that of skeletal muscle making it an ideal protein source for the human body
Whey protein helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis after exercise to reduce muscle damage and breakdown by:
Providing a high concentration of readily usable branch chain amino acids
Supplying a source of glutamine which has been shown to limit muscle breakdown and decline in immune function
Supporting a positive nitrogen balance which promotes muscle growth while limiting damage
Whey protein contributes to greater muscle endurance, preventing muscle fatigue during longer and more intense workouts
Whey protein is easily digested and readily usable by the human body
General Nutrition:
Whey protein is traditionally used to promote muscle growth, but as new scientific studies are conducted, whey is being used in many other applications. Some of these include: cancer treatment, infant health, wound healing and the elderly. Practically everyone can benefit in some way from whey protein supplementation.
Here are some of the many benefits that have recently been discovered:
Biologically active peptides
Improves bone repair
Lowers blood pressure
Supports a lean body, preserving muscle and promoting fat loss
Supports immune function
Satiating effect
Increases serotonin levels, mood modulation
Lowers cancer tumor growth
Helps with wound healing
Delays Sarcopenia
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTEIN IN YOUR DIET
Why should you care about making sure you get enough protein? Here are four good reasons:
It is a component of every cell in your body. In fact, hair and nails are mostly made of protein.
Your body uses it to build and repair tissue.
You need it to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals.
It is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.
Like carbohydrates and fat, protein is a "macronutrient,” meaning that you need relatively large amounts of it to stay healthy. (Vitamins and minerals, which you only need in small quantities, are called "micronutrients.")
Unlike carbohydrates and fat, your body does not store protein, so it has no reservoir to draw from when you’re running low. Protein bars and shakes are a great way to supplement your diet to ensure you’re getting the right amount of protein.
Benefits of a Protein-Enriched Diet
Consuming high-protein foods has many benefits, including:
Speeding recovery after exercise
Reducing muscle loss
Building lean muscle
Helping you maintain a healthy weight
Curbing hunger
Different Forms of Protein
Protein comes from a variety of sources, including meat, milk, fish, soy, and eggs, as well beans, legumes, and nut butters. When proteins are digested, they leave behind amino acids, which the human body needs to break down food.
Whey, a high quality protein source naturally found in milk, is a complete protein and contains all of the amino acids your body needs. In general, proteins derived from animal sources (i.e. milk, eggs & meat) are complete, but your body’s ability to use the protein varies.
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Happy Running and Happy SMART snacking!
**Which Detour Bar SMART flavor do you want to try??
Disclaimer: I was provided product and financhial compensation by Detour Bar as part of a Fitfluential Campaign in exchange for my honest product review and promotion via social media. All opinions are my own.