Why eat protein bars when you can have protein drinks?
Many people who care about their health are familiar with protein supplements in the form of ready-to-drink beverages and protein bars that are semi-snacks. At first glance, one may wonder, since many protein drinks are not much different in price from protein bars, and most of them provide more protein, why should we choose to eat protein bars that seem to have less protein at a similar price? In this article, we will take a look at the reasons and advantages of protein bars that make them an interesting option and meet different needs.
1. Protein bars are much easier to carry with you!
One of the biggest reasons protein bars remain so popular is their portability, which is significantly superior to protein drinks.
Take it anywhere: Protein bars are compact and lightweight, easily fitting into your backpack, purse or even your pocket. Whether you're flying, driving or heading out for a camping trip, protein bars are a convenient travel companion. They're perfect for when you're hungry or need energy but don't want to overdo it on sugary, fatty snacks.
Can be eaten in any situation: Whether it's during a break from studying when you may not have much time or during work when you need a quick energy snack, protein bars are an easy-to-grab option. No need to go out and buy them or grab them from the refrigerator. They can be kept at home or at work in boxes.
Protein drinks are much harder to carry around: On the contrary, protein drinks often come in larger and heavier bottles, making them less convenient to carry around. Especially if you're traveling long distances or doing activities that require a lot of movement, having a protein drink bottle with you all the time can be a burden.
Easy and Tasty with Protein: Imagine the convenience of just pulling out a protein bar from the package and getting the protein equivalent of eating two boiled eggs. This is the ease and speed that protein drinks may not provide in some situations.
2. Protein bars can be stored for a long time without refrigeration.
Another major advantage of protein bars is their much longer shelf life and, most importantly, they do not require refrigeration.
Easy to store, worry-free: Most protein bars have a long shelf life. On average, they can be stored at room temperature for up to 9 months to 1 year, so you can buy them without worrying about them going bad quickly.
Protein drinks need to be refrigerated and consumed immediately: While most ready-to-drink protein drinks need to be purchased and consumed right away, or if you don’t want to consume them immediately, you need to refrigerate them to maintain their quality. If you leave them at room temperature for a long time, they are likely to spoil or go bad, making them inconvenient to store in the long term.
Always on hand: The ability to keep it fresh without refrigeration makes protein bars a great option for those who want to always have a protein source on hand, whether at home, at work, or on the go.
3. Protein bars won't make you "too full".
For those who exercise regularly or engage in physical activities, choosing to consume protein before or after the activity is important, and protein bars have an advantage here.
Easy to digest, easy on the stomach: Protein drinks, especially those with a high protein content or those in milk form, may take longer to digest. If you drink them shortly before exercising, you may feel full, uncomfortable in the stomach, and this may affect your exercise performance.
Protein bars are a good snack: Protein bars are the right size, not too big, making them easier for the body to digest. Eating a protein bar before a workout at the right time can help reduce hunger a little, prevent your stomach from being too empty, and provide additional energy to support your workout.
Post-Workout Snack: After a workout, protein bars are a convenient way to replenish your muscles with protein that needs quick recovery, without worrying about feeling too full.
4. Sometimes we want to eat snacks more than drinks.
Sometimes, our food needs are not limited to just nutrition, but also include the eating experience.
Want something other than liquid: Many people find that drinking a protein drink doesn't provide a true feeling of fullness, or that it doesn't satisfy their need to "chew" something, especially during times when they're feeling really hungry. Chewing on a protein bar can be much more satisfying and filling.
Afternoon Snack…The Better Choice: Think about those late afternoon hunger pangs and the urge to snack. Many people don’t want to drink protein milk on an empty stomach, but opting for a protein bar as a snack instead of sugary, high-fat snacks not only reduces your guilt, but also provides you with a healthy dose of protein.
Variety of flavors…not monotonous: Protein bars today come in a variety of flavors and textures, such as chocolate, caramel, nuts, or fruits, making eating protein bars less boring than drinking the same flavored protein drink over and over again.
5. Protein bars are not for "loading up" protein.
Snack replacement, convenience and protein: Protein bars' main purpose is to provide an alternative to unhealthy snacks, which are often loaded with carbohydrates and fat. Protein bars are designed to be portable and contain about the same amount of protein as 1.5 to 2.5 eggs, making them a more beneficial snack. They are not intended to increase the amount of protein your body needs per day.
Protein Drinks Are All About Protein: On the other hand, the main purpose of protein drinks is to "load" or significantly increase the amount of protein your body needs. If you're looking to build muscle or simply consume a large amount of protein per day, protein drinks or chicken breast shakes are still a better option than protein bars in terms of the amount of protein you get per serving.
Convenience vs. Protein Content: So, protein bars are all about portability, snack replacement, and providing some protein for added benefits. But if your primary goal is to consume a high amount of protein, a protein drink will do the trick better.
Summary
While protein drinks are a convenient source of protein and offer a compelling dose of protein for building muscle or increasing overall protein intake, protein bars still have several key advantages, including portability, storage requirements, suitability for pre-workout consumption, and, most importantly, they are designed to be a healthy snack alternative, a replacement for junk food, and provide a reasonable amount of protein, rather than being a “load” of protein.
Choosing to consume protein in one form or another depends on different needs, lifestyles, situations, and goals for consuming protein. Having both protein drinks and protein bars as options allows us to adjust our protein consumption to best meet our body's needs.