If you’re a professional weight loss coach or dietician, or just a person wanting to lose weight in general, then this article will tell you what common sugar alcohols to avoid in protein bars. Sugar is the dearest sugar and therefore the most frequently used, and yet it’s also the one that produces the most damage in your body. It is also the one that can be most easily converted into fat. So, when you’re looking for tips on losing weight in the gym or at home, here are three tips on cutting sugar from your protein bars.
In recent years, it has become increasingly popular to use sugar alcohols as food additives in order to make the food taste better. By using sugar alcohols in protein bars and other snack foods, you will still get the sugar high with about the same amount of calories as regular sugar, without having to worry about the health risks associated with the substance.1
Most protein bar manufacturers claim that their products have no calories, but this is a marketing ploy designed to make their products more appealing to consumers. If you choose to purchase a bar with sugar alcohols in it, know that the sugar alcohols might be going unnoticed in the nutrition facts on the back of the label. They might not technically be counted as carbohydrates, but the sugar alcohols that are listed are extremely sweet compared to other sugar alternatives.
The problem with most protein-based snacks and bars is that they are filled with so many unhealthy ingredients that it is almost impossible to get any nutrients in them at all. Sugar alcohols in protein bars and other snacks are nothing more than highly processed ingredients that are designed to give food manufacturers more products for their money. If you are looking for healthy snacks and bars, stop looking for them at the supermarket and instead look for them online where you will find organic and natural ingredients that are loaded with all kinds of vitamins and nutrients, instead of empty calories.
Instead of settling for high-calorie, low nutritional snack foods, try incorporating organic, natural, sugar-free protein bars and baking mixes into your diet. These bars are much healthier than their counterparts and they will satisfy cravings for sugar without loading your body with it. Organic and natural ingredients loaded with nutrients are the best way to have these snacks and bars without compromising your health and sacrificing your waistline.
What Common Sugar Alcohols Should Be Avoided In Protein Bars?
Sugar content is one of the most common contributors to undesirable side effects in the human body, especially the body that is very sensitive to excess sugar and high levels of blood sugar. Sugar alcohols are a common ingredient in protein bars that provide the sweetness and texture of sugar, but without many of the calories. 2
2 Most Common Sugars Found in Protein Bars
These are the two main ingredients to avoid when looking for protein bars. In addition, you can avoid sugar alcohol in protein bars by choosing the healthiest options available. This not only adds vitamins and minerals to the bar but also prevents the high amounts of simple sugars from being included.
Some of the best and healthiest bars, however, use completely natural ingredients and are low in calories. These bars tend to be very rich in the amino acids needed to build the muscles of the body, so as long as the diet is balanced and the person watching the nutrition is careful, protein bars are a great way to get the essential nutrients for the day.3
- Straight sugar- As stated above, sugar is the dearest sugar and so it is the one that produces the most damage in your body. The more you ingest it, the worse it gets – and the faster you’ll become obese. Common sugar alcohols to avoid in protein bars include maple syrup, cane sugar, and honey. Do not use jelly or chocolate milk, as these will often have other ingredients such as fruit sugar added to them and will therefore be even more harmful to your health than straight sugar.4
- Sweeteners- If you look at a protein bar, you may well see that there is a lot of sugar in it. But did you know that sugar can actually have diuretic properties and may actually dehydrate you? This can go beyond dehydration into a potentially dangerous situation whereby your body may begin to lose fluids because it is no longer getting enough sugar from the bar, which could result in bloating. One of the sugars that you should avoid in a protein bar is fructose, as it will leave a sweet aftertaste on your mouth. And whenever possible, opt for unsweetened protein bars to cut down on sugar.5
How to Avoid the Worst Type of Sugar in Protein Bars
In recent years, sugar has been one of the most common sweetening agents used in processed foods. Because sugar provides the body with calories and because it is relatively inexpensive, it is often included in foods that are marketed to people who have weight problems.6 However, the addition of sugar can have unhealthy consequences, including contributing to weight gain, high blood pressure, and the development of Type 2 diabetes.
Fortunately, it is possible to find healthier types of sugar. The two types of sugar that most protein bars use are glucose and lactose. Glucose is the glucose found in milk and most other sugars.7 Lactose, on the other hand, is the sugar found in many different dairy products, including cheese, yogurts, and butter. While both types of sugar are used to give protein the flavor and color it has in the product, the amounts of each type can vary. This means that the amount of the worst type of sugar alcohol in protein bars can be greatly reduced.8
A smart consumer also wants to choose the type of sugar that is good for you instead. For example, natural sugars such as maltose and sorbitol (found in honey) are generally considered to be healthy choices. However, if the bars are simply topped with some type of sugar substitute, such as agave nectar, the effects may be the same. In order to sweeten protein without increasing the blood sugar levels, it is best to choose a sugar that is not processed by the body and that provides the protein with flavor.9
Another thing to keep in mind is that sugar is not the only thing that can affect the blood sugar level in the body. If there is too much fat or cholesterol in the diet, for instance, the sugar can be drawn away from the carbohydrates, which can then cause spikes in blood sugar.10 Because of this, it is important for people who are serious about fitness to pay attention to their diets and the types of protein bars they choose to consume to stay on track.
The Side Effects of Eating Too Much Sugar
We are always told that eating right is important and one must include certain foods in their diet. But did you know that one of the most negative side effects of eating too much sugar can be cancer? Sugar consumption can definitely affect your health negatively and it is better to limit it than eliminate it completely.
Many people believe that you should avoid foods containing a lot of sugar, but sometimes this is not really true. Some foods that are high in calories but low in nutritional value can also contribute to the negative side effects of eating too much sugar. Cheese, ice cream, white bread, and butter all have a high-fat content and should be eaten in small amounts, as they can also increase the risk of developing diabetes.
The most common negative side effects of eating too much sugar occur when people try to lose weight.11 Weight loss is usually achieved by reducing the amount of food intake, which reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. The more sugar that the body consumes, the less it can naturally process and eliminate excess sugar from the bloodstream. Sugar consumption also increases the insulin levels in the blood, which increases the number of fat cells and protein in the body, two things that contribute to fat storage.
Other negative side effects of sugar can include allergies and fatigue. These side effects often appear after long-term use of a sugar product, or if the person is not getting sufficient amounts of rest. People who work in an environment where they are consuming large amounts of sugar may experience headaches, muscle and joint pain, weakness, dizziness, and irritability.12 A diet that is rich in sugary foods may also cause an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems, high cholesterol, stroke, and diabetes. Negative side effects can range from mild to severe and occur in varying amounts depending on the individual.13
Although some foods may be beneficial to a person’s health, other sugary substances should be avoided. Foods that contain high amounts of fructose should be avoided as they can cause the body to feel hungrier and crave more sugary foods. This can lead to overeating and binging.14 A healthy diet should contain a combination of vegetables, fruits, cereals, and low-fat dairy products. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help flush out the sugar in the body.
Image Credits
Kitchen Stewardship / August 15, 2018
Whole Foods Muscle Group / 2020
Health Matters / 2021
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