When do you eat clif bars

Am I starting my day with protein-heavy meals? Am I drinking enough water and not just guzzling cups of cold brew coffee every few hours? For instance, the popular Keto diet asks you to limit daily carbohydrate intake and instead reach for protein-filled, fatty foods like cheese, meats, and nuts.

Of course, there are different types of ketogenic diets, with some dedicating days to high-carb meals. On these carb-loading days or on your off days, treating yourself to a chocolate chip bar or any of the equally delectable sweet bars of the same brand is well deserved.

In essence, if you lead an active lifestyle, then Clif Bars are perfect for replenishing those lost nutrients during strenuous activity. If you are looking for a meal replacement, though, these may not be the best choice for you.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adult females and males eat 46 g and 56 g, respectively, of protein per day. CLIF BARs use soy protein isolate, which some research suggests is beneficial for regulating weight, synthesizing muscle protein, and supporting weight and bone health changes in menopause.

However, other research indicates that soy protein may cause allergic reactions in some people. For instance, the bars could be suitable to replenish glycogen stores when someone is hiking, cycling, or climbing. However, they may not be suitable for a snack just before or during high intensity exercise, as they could cause digestive discomfort.

According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition , athletes who have a larger body or engage in high volume or high intensity exercise may not eat enough food to meet their daily calorie needs.

CLIF BARs have a high carbohydrate and sugar content that could cause someone to gain weight if they are not exercising regularly. If they are sedentary, this could take their added sugar intake over the recommended daily limit and increase their risk of chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Less active people should choose healthy whole food snacks instead. The following section gives some options.

They should check the ingredients lists carefully before trying any of the bars. Options that someone could transport easily for hikes or sport include:.

The bars may help replenish glycogen during exercise that lasts for at least an hour. However, for people who do less activity or have a sedentary lifestyle, eating CLIF BARs could lead to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes.

Anyone trying to manage their weight should choose whole food snacks instead. Learn more about building a…. A recent study finds that potato-based foods, including gnocchi, help muscles recover just as quickly as sports nutrition products in both men and…. Calculating net carbs is one way to count the carbohydrates within a food product or meal plan.

It sounds like a good snack , right? Instead of buying a candy bar, you opt for a dark chocolate almond CLIF bar with rolled oats, nine grams of protein, heart-healthy almonds, and other organic ingredients. Look at you, making healthy choices! The only problem is that your beloved CLIF bar is, sadly, nowhere near as healthy as you think it is. In fact, nutritionists only recommend 5 CLIF bar flavors out of We explain why. How high? Let's go back to that dark chocolate almond CLIF bar you took off the shelf.

Turn it over for the nutrition info and you'll see the very first ingredient is organic brown rice syrup. Organic or not, that's sugar—plain and simple. It also lists cane syrup and cane sugar, sending the total amount of added sugar in this one bar skyrocketing up to 21 grams. Meanwhile, carbs come in at a whopping 43 grams per bar, with the whole bar netting you calories. Those nine grams of protein aren't looking so great anymore are they? That's kind of the problem with the whole CLIF line: there are good things inside that promising packaging, but too often the bad outweighs the good—sometimes by a landslide.

Want the cold hard truth? Not really. No, not even for athletes we hear you shouting about your post-workout needs. While athletes do benefit from eating snacks high in protein, sugar, and calories, no one needs the amount of sugar found in most CLIF bars. And that especially true when there are better choices with whole food ingredients that can fuel your energy levels without sending you into a sugar coma.

That comes out to a little less protein than a dark chocolate almond CLIF bar and a little bit more sugar; however, it also contains fewer carbs and less calories. Protein isolates are essentially processed forms of protein like whey protein powders that are typically easy to digest and provide protein without as many calories.

But there are some concerns over how beneficial they are. According to Harvard Health , their safety as a dietary supplement hasn't been extensively studied. Plus, some of these powders have the potential to contain toxins and contaminants, according to the Clean Label Project. The point?