Protein is an important macronutrient for muscle growth and maintenance, as well as for supporting weight loss.
More and more high-protein products are making their way onto supermarket shelves, with protein bars being one of the easiest grab-and-go options for a quick protein hit.
But how do they work? Performance nutritionist at Warrior, Dan Richardson, spoke about the benefits of adding these to your daily routine.
He said: “Protein bars give you something much more convenient than your usual snack options, and make hitting your protein target far easier when you’re out and about, travelling, at work or heading straight out of the gym.
Protein bars can be a convenient snack immediately after the gym
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GETTY
“That convenience factor is so important – the best nutrition habits are those that fit into everyday life. Protein plays a key role in recovering, repairing and building muscle after training – which is particularly important if you’re not going to eat a meal for another couple of hours.
“After particularly intense workouts, adding some carbohydrates alongside your protein bar – some fruit, a smoothie or a sandwich — will help support your energy levels too.”
Protein bars can be snacked on at the gym, popped into packed lunches or picked up on the go, making them one of the simplest ways to get protein into your diet.
Eating enough protein is essential for building and repairing muscles, supporting recovery and maintaining muscle mass. It can also make it easier to manage appetite and support healthy weight management. It is particularly important after a workout to help repair and build muscles.
Having a protein-rich meal or snack after exercising will give your body key amino acids and support muscle recovery. Combine this with carbohydrates, and you will also help replenish glycogen stores.
If you can’t have a meal straight away, protein bars can bridge the gap. Richardson said: “Protein bars also curb hunger in a way that other snack bars which contain more fat and carbohydrates simply don’t.
“That’s exactly why 20g in a bar can leave you settled for a couple of hours, whereas a snack of similar calories, like a chocolate bar or cereal bar, might have you looking for something else within the hour. Same energy, but a very different outcome.
“What matters most is consistency. Getting enough protein across your meals and snacks will do far more for recovery and performance than trying to cram it all into dinner. Finding a bar you actually enjoy matters more than finding the one with the biggest protein number on the front, because you’ll keep reaching for it.
The Performance Nutritionist explained the benefits of protein bars
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WARRIOR
“A bar like Warrior CRUNCH Soft Core ticks those boxes. It’s functional while being decadent, and offers something much lower in sugar, which makes it one you’ll reach for day after day.”
Research has looked at protein bars and their link to weight loss. One study found that eating a peanut or grain bar before meals left participants feeling fuller.
Over time, they also noticed some weight loss, suggesting protein- and fibre-rich bars can help with weight management as part of a calorie-controlled diet. The study concluded protein bars can be a convenient tool for satiety and calorie control, rather than directly cause weight loss.