Energy bars are awesome -- protein, nutrients, a quick burst of energy before a big run or during recovery afterwards. But are they all they're cracked up to be?
With Halloween just around the corner and candy on the brain, I've been wondering if my supposedly healthy snacks are just as bad for me as a Twix.
Luckily, Running Times has been wondering the same thing, and they consulted with registered dietician Megan Hovis about the nutritional value of energy bars, and how to pick a good one.
Hovis says your basic rule is to find a bar that packs a lot of protein (5 to 10 grams) and nutrients, and limits saturated fats or sugars. Saturated fats and hydrogenated oils mean the bar is more artificial than natural, which you want to stay away from. Sugar is the biggest difference between a candy bar and a good nutrition bar, so stay away from bars that pack a ton of sugar-- you might as well be snarfing down Reese's cups.
Check out the article on RunnersWorld.com, and let us know: what's your go-to nutrition bar?
