So, you've just made your New Year's resolution to get back in shape (hopefully, this time will be the last time).  You've got your new workout clothes, uber chic Sigg bottle full of water, fancy new gym membership, hopefully a kick ass personal trainer so you know what you're doing, and you're about to stop into the local supplement shop and stock up on all of the supplements you are going to need.

If you're like everyone else (and by this point, I hope you're at least somewhere on your path to not), then you are about to grab a fist full of fat-burners and protein bars and shakes.

Now stop (colaborate and listen).  Before you go shopping for ANY supplements, please check out my post about supplementation.  It will give a good idea of what supplements you actually need to be taking before worrying about most of the crap that is available out there.

Today, however, I want to focus simply on protein/energy bars.

Without getting ahead of myself and ruining the ending (kind of like telling you that the couple always get back together after the big argument scene in romantic comedies), the moral of this story is don't buy them. Period.

Now, I'm not trying to sound like a Nazi.  I understand that it can be difficult for some people to eat the ideal 6+ times a day.  I get it.  I feel your pain and I understand.  I would simply argue that there are better places to be getting your calories.

The "energy bar" market has had quite a boom over the last year, with several new offerings from Cliff and Snickers just to name a few.  It seems like everone is throwing some protein into something else and calling a health product. 

Take the Snickers Marathon bar for example:

• 290 calories
• 10g fat
• 20g protein
• 40g carbs
• 21g sugar

"Everything you need from an energy bar with the Great Taste you expect from SNICKERS."

Actually, it's everything about a SNICKERS bar with some protein added in for marketing purposes.  Take a look:

Regular size Snickers candy bar:

• 266 calories
• 11g fat
• 37 carbs
• 5g protein
• 28g sugar

Little confused? Yeah, me too.  A normal Snickers bar has fewer calories, the same amount of fat, the same amount of carbs, and a bit more sugar. 

Oh yea, but it has less protein.  That's why it's an "energy bar." Gotcha.

So I may sound a bit harsh, and I understand that there are better options out there when it comes to supplements. 

Offerings from EAS, Promax, and other big name brands should be a lot better than something made by Snickers, but they really aren't. 

EAS Myoplex Lite Bar:

• 190 calories
• 4.5g fat
• 15g protein
• 26g carbs
• 11g sugar

Promax Bar:

• 280 calories
• 7g fat
• 20g protein
• 37g carbs
• 24g sugar

And these are from legitimate supplement brands! Brands that I actually like and approve of!

The problem is that, in order to sell their product, it has to taste good.  And to taste good, there usually has to be sugar in it. 

Now, not all sugar is bad.  In some programs, such as a muscle gain program where the goal is to increase calorie intake, these products of far less concern.  For those looking to lose fat, however, it is just not beneficial to have such a high percentage of your calories coming from sugar.

So, although you may think that you are eating something that fits right into the healthy lifestyle you are trying to live, you may in fact be undoing all of your results with mislabeled candy bars! Think twice before grabbing a box!

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