The Benefits of Protein Bars for Diabetics
When you are on the GO GO GO, suppressed with time, or have low blood sugar, or whatever the reason is, and you are in NEED of a quick bite, go for PROTEIN BARS! There are SO MANY OPTIONS out there. First thing first is of course the flavor, next thing is price or accessibility, then comes the ingredients.
When you have diabetes, you might thinking of these questions:
Are protein bars healthy?
What are the benefits of protein bars?
Which protein bars are safe for me?
What to look for in protein bars?
I am here to give you an insight on which protein bars are good for you if you have diabetes. I recommend checking the nutrition facts of the potassium, and phosphorus content of the bar for your info, in case you are also concerned about your kidney health.
Choosing the Right Protein Bars
When you have diabetes, you look at the Carbohydrate content, sugar content and pretty much overall nutrition facts.
My tips on choosing the right protein bars for diabetics breakdown are below.
1. CARBS: Aim for bars with around 15-30 grams of total carbohydrates per serving.
2. SUGAR: Go for bars with less than 10 grams of added sugars per serving. You also want to keep in mind the difference between natural sugars (e.g., from fruits) and added sugars.
3. FIBER: Look for at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. Fiber can help slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and achieve better blood sugar control.
4. PROTEIN: Look for bars with 10 to 20 grams of protein per serving. Protein will help you build muscle strength.
5. FAT CONTENT: Healthy fats such as those from nuts, and seeds can be beneficial. Avoid protein bars with high content of saturated fat or trans fat.
MY TOP 5 PROTEIN BARS RECOMMENDATION
I include links on the following 10 protein bars I recommend below. I do not earn any percentage by recommending them. I only recommend products that I truly believe in and use myself or recommend to clients.
NuGo SLIM
These Gluten Free, guilt-free, Real Dark Chocolate covered, low sugar protein bars with no artificial sweeteners or maltitol, and the Slim line features four vegan, pareve flavors.
Nutrition Facts: NuGo Slim® bars have 16-17g of protein, 6-7g of fiber, 6-7 net carbs, only 3g of sugar, and are tested very low glycemic.
RXBAR
These bars also come in a variety pack for MIXED flavors. It is a protein-packed delight with RXBAR Protein Bars made from real ingredients like egg whites, dates, and nuts, bringing you balance of taste and valuable nutrition.
Nutrition Facts: The Peanut Butter Chocolate bars have 12g of protein, 5g of fiber, 22g carbs, 15g of TOTAL sugar, NO ADDED SUGAR.
Premier Protein Bars
Premier protein bars available in 5 delicious flavors with NO ARTIFICIAL Sweeteners, Flavors, or Colors, GLUTEN FREE, No Trans Fats.
Nutrition Facts: The Peanut Butter Chocolate bars have 30g of protein, 3g of fiber, 25g carbs, 8g of TOTAL sugar.
POWER CRUNCH PRO
Power Crunch PRO bars are 20g protein bars in a crème-filled, crunchy wafer with the power of hydrolyzed whey and no sugar alcohol.
CONS: LOW FIBER
Nutrition Facts: The Birthday Cake bars have 20g of protein, 12g carbs, 7g of TOTAL sugar.
QUEST PROTEIN BARS
Quest bars satisfying your sweet tooth without adding the sugar AND Carbs.
Nutrition Facts: The Oatmeal Chocolate Chip bars have 20g of protein, 24g carbs, 14g of Fiber, 1g of TOTAL sugar.
Tips for Incorporating Protein Bars into a Diabetic Diet
Adding protein bars into your diabetic diet can be convenient, but it’s important to do so in a way that supports blood sugar control and overall health.
My tips to help you on including protein bars into your diabetic diet:
- Check Nutritional Labels:
- Carefully read the nutritional labels of protein bars to assess the carbohydrate, sugar, protein, fiber, and fat content.
- Pair with Fiber-Rich Foods:
- Consider adding a serving of vegetables, a small piece of fruit, or a handful of nuts alongside the protein bar to help slow down carbs absorption on your body
- Monitor Blood Sugar Levels:
- REGULARLY monitor your blood sugar levels, especially when introducing new foods like protein bars into your diet. I can’t emphasize this enough. This will help you understand how your body responds and make adjustments if needed.
- Limit Processed Ingredients:
- Select protein bars with minimal processing and whole-food ingredients. Avoid those with excessive additives, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners.
- Stay Hydrated:
- Drink plenty of water when consuming protein bars, as hydration is essential for overall health and can help with digestion.
