Busy individuals often choose energy bars for their convenience. These bars provide the necessary fuel for long workouts or activities like running, spinning, or hikes. The nutrients in them keep us refreshed and alert the whole time.
These bars work by providing your body with energy in the form of carbohydrates in a convenient, carry-around form. They contain both simple and complex carbohydrates, which can give you both quick and slow-release energy. This can help you keep going during exercise and sports, so you don’t get tired.
What is an Energy Bar?
These bars have become a popular snack option for health-conscious individuals on the go. But what exactly are they, and how do they work? They are portable snacks packed with essential nutrients. These nutrients are designed to give your body readily available carbohydrates for a quick energy boost. This makes them particularly beneficial during physical activity.
These carbohydrates can come from a variety of natural sources like whole grains, honey, fruits, and plant-based syrups. Alternatively, some bars utilize processed starches and sugars to deliver a similar energy boost. The specific type of carbohydrate impacts how quickly your body absorbs the energy.
These bars come in a wide variety of flavors and functionalities. However, they all share the common characteristic of being portable and convenient. This makes them ideal for pre-workout fuel, post-workout recovery snacks, or a quick energy boost during a busy day.
How Energy Bars Work Inside The Body?
There are a few things that happen when you eat an energy bar before or during exercise. To begin, it tells your body to control its energy-storing glycogen stores. Picture it as a car’s key lock. Second, it gives your muscles a ready-to-use food source that can go straight from your bloodstream to them without being kept.
When you eat an energy bar after a workout, you give your body the grams of carbs it needs to refill its stores. This helps it heal and keeps you from getting hangry!
How Fast Does It Work?
The type of carbs in the bar affects how long it takes for your body to take in the energy. Different types of carbs break down in different ways. In general, simple carbs like honey, cane sugar, and plant syrups are absorbed faster and give you energy more quickly. Conversely, complex carbs in foods like oats, veggies, and grains take longer to absorb. Thus, it gives out energy more slowly than simple carbs.
In just 15 to 30 minutes, you can start to feel how simple carbs give you more energy. On the other hand, complex carbs may take longer (one to two hours).
Energy bars that combine fast- and slow-release carbohydrates are particularly beneficial. These bars, often made with real food ingredients, provide both a quick energy boost and sustained energy over a longer period.
The Main Components of an Energy Bar
They work by giving you a good mix of three important macronutrients: fat, protein, and carbs. Let’s look more closely at how each one adds to the magic that gives you energy:
- Carbohydrates: They are the body’s main source of quick-release energy. These bars typically contain a blend of simple and complex carbohydrates. This combination provides a quick initial energy boost from the simple carbs, followed by sustained energy from the complex carbs.
- Protein: Protein is important for building and repairing muscles, and it also makes you feel fuller for longer. Hence cutting down on cravings.
- Healthy Fats: Fats often have a bad reputation in the world of fitness. But not healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and nut butter. They are present in energy bars and help cells work better and make you feel fuller for longer.
The way an energy bar works depends on the exact amount of macronutrients it contains. Bars with more carbs are great for fueling up before a workout, while bars with more protein are better for recovery or curbing hunger pangs.
Other Important Ingredients
Carbs, protein, and good fats are the three most important nutrients for these bars, but some bars also have other ingredients to meet particular needs:
- Fiber: Fiber is good for your gut and makes you feel full longer. So, try to find bars that have about 3 to 5 grams of fiber per serve.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Some bars contain extra vitamins and minerals to make up for any deficits and improve your health.
- Caffeine: Caffeine is a natural booster that can give you extra energy, especially in bars that you eat before you workout. But watch out for the caffeine level, and don’t drink too much of it.
Conclusion
With careful selection, they may be healthful and handy snacks. They provide protein, carbs, and other nutrients. However, these bars may have adverse effects like excessive sugar or calorie content. So, select the ones that fit your requirements and goals. Furthermore, moderation is crucial with any food, and a balanced and healthy diet requires a range of entire foods.
If you’re looking for a wholesome energy bar, then you should totally consider GritFit which provides these bars in three exciting flavors – BlueBerry Crush, Choco Almond, and Peanut Butter. They also have a delicious Dry Fruit Bar with zero added sugar, and the goodness of Apple Cider and Tulsi.
