Energy bars vary in size, ingredients, and nutritional benefits.
A HOOAH! energy bar provided by the United States Army in its MREs

Energy bars are supplemental bars containing cereals, micronutrients, and flavor ingredients intended to supply quick food energy. Because most energy bars contain added protein, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and other nutrients, they may be marketed as functional foods.[1] Manufacturing of energy bars may supply nutrients in sufficient quantity to be used as meal replacements.[2]

Nutrition

A typical energy bar weighs between 30 and 50 g and is likely to supply about 200–300 Cal (840–1,300 kJ), 3–9 g of fat, 7–15 g of protein, and 20–40 g of carbohydrates — the three sources of energy in food.[3] In order to provide energy quickly, most of the carbohydrates are various types of sugars like fructose, glucose, maltodextrin and others in various ratios, combined with complex carbohydrate sources, such as oats or barley. Proteins come mostly in the form of whey protein. Fats sources are often cocoa butter and dark chocolate.

Usage

Energy bars are used in a variety of contexts.[4] Energy bars may be used as an energy source during athletic events such as marathons, triathlons and other activities which require a high energy expenditure for long periods of time. They are also commonly used as meal replacements in weight-loss programs.[5] They may be used as a snack.[6] For those who are malnourished, energy bars, such as Plumpy'nut, are an effective tool for treating malnutrition.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gill, Aakash; Singh, Ashish Kumar (29 February 2020). "Energy bars: Quick, Healthy and Wholesome Snack for Adolescents". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ↑ "How to Choose the Best Health Bars". Cleveland Clinic. 11 January 2021. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  3. ↑ "Nutrition Bar Comparison Chart" (PDF). Mesa AZ fire department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  4. ↑ Craig, Jacqueline (22 June 2013). "Meal replacement shakes and nutrition bars: do they help individuals with diabetes lose weight?". Diabetes Spectrum. 26 (3): 179–183. doi:10.2337/diaspect.26.3.179. S2CID 28784565.
  5. ↑ Noakes, Manny; Foster, Paul R.; Keogh, Jennifer B.; Clifton, Peter M. (1 August 2004). "Meal Replacements Are as Effective as Structured Weight-Loss Diets for Treating Obesity in Adults with Features of Metabolic Syndrome". The Journal of Nutrition. 134 (8): 1894–1899. doi:10.1093/jn/134.8.1894. ISSN 0022-3166. PMID 15284372.
  6. ↑ Coello, Karín E.; Frias, Juana; Martínez-Villaluenga, Cristina; Cartea, María Elena; Velasco, Pablo; Peñas, Elena (15 January 2022). "Manufacture of healthy snack bars supplemented with moringa sprout powder". LWT. 154: 112828. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2021.112828. hdl:10261/275344. ISSN 0023-6438. S2CID 245747591.
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