Protein Bars vs Shakes

[aokrongly]

I'm doing the "Body for Life" deal (alternating days of weights and aerobics for peak intensity plus 6 meals a day of protein and carbs, with some veggies thrown in a couple of them).

Here's my question. He says to use protein shakes (Myoplex is his recommendation) when you can't have a meal. My question is this:

Are protein bars just as effective, more effective, less effective? If so, then by how much? What's the difference and how does it matter? If I'm doing bars instead of shakes what should I be looking for? If I'm doing shakes instead of bars what should I be looking for? I'm a value shopper - protein is protein. I have no interest in paying extra for a designer label.

I'm not a protein shake person. I don't like the taste of them, the bulk of them or the trouble of chunky dry monkey balls floating around in a glass. I'm generally not at home when I'm needing these meal replacements.

I am, however, open to suggestions.

Thanks

 

[tucker01]

99% of Protein bars are shit loaded with a bunch of crap.

A shake is the way to go.

Shakes can taste just like a smoothie.

my shake is
some Protein Powder
Oatbran
Raspberries
Milled Flaxseed
Cultured Yogurt
Skim Milk.

Tastes good.

 

[JonnyStead]

I do PureProtein (TM) and skimmed milk and tastes good. I dont like the bars. One thing I believe is though that they cant replace a meal they are called supplements after all.

Make it a priority to eat well first and worry about the supplements on top of that. IMO

 

[AKIRA]

Ive always disliked bars and will continue to avoid them. I just cant build up the tolerance for the taste or the texture.

 

[kcs9]

Yea, there's so much garbage in the protein bars. Most of em have alot of sugar (like 30g?) and the low carb ones are loaded with sat fat. Shakes are great I don't know why you can't stand them. Try some optimum nutrition whey.

 

[vortrit]

I usually stay away from the bars. If I go out of town or something I may buy one once in awhile just to get some protein in, but mostly they are garbage. The ones I get are Greens and Whey so they are better than most.

 

[bigsahm21]

Here's my shake...(PWO)

- 10 oz of soymilk (lactose intolerant...but this tastes better with soymilk, actually)
- 1 to 1 1/2 banana
- 1 serving chocolate protein powder (I use a kind with no lactose in it...and it's delicious)
- 6 ice cubes.
- Scoop of fiber-sure.

That's it, I don't put any oatbran or oats or anything like that in it...if I want to have some good fibrous carbs I just eat it on the side. No joke, blend this guy up for a while and get it nice and think/frothy, and it tastes like a milkshake. It's delicious...not just by protein shake standards, either. It tastes like dessert.

 

[loki]

find whey that mixes easily with water/milk/etc. the stuff i get breaks down easily in a cup with warm water and a spoon. i'm spending about thirty cents a serving i guess. whey/water is bland but effective if you're in a hurry. it's easier to get used to it when you learn to make blended shakes that are tasty. it took some time for it to grow on me. i didn't like everything at first, including natural peanut butter. i love the taste and can't stand the jiffy type peanut butter now. but yeah, sometimes some foods have to grow on you. experiment.

 

[Tatyana]

Protein bars are glorified candy/chocolate bars.

If I am stuck for a meal in an emergency

1. Whole roasted chicken from grocery store

2. Chicken (chunks of breast) Shish with no pita, salad from Keebab shop

3. Small amount of nuts

4. Rice cakes or oat cakes

5. Rolled oats done in microwave with some whey protein

6. Low fat yogurt/tofu yogurt with some fruit with whey protein

There are LOADS of options if you get creative


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T

 

[soxmuscle]

I only eat bars if I'm on the run and need to get some cals in el body. Otherwise they're what they look like: a piece of shit.

 

[leg_press]

I'd have a shake over a bar any day but the only bars I trust are tri-o-plex
Based on 2000 cal diet:
macros (per 118g bar)
395 cals
90 cals of fat
8g fat
1.5g sat fat
440mg sodium
100mg potassium
47g carbs(mostly from oats)
3g fibre
16g sugar
30 protein (soy, whey, milk)
0g trans fat
I have to drink them with alot of water as they are incredibly dry, but they are good, I rarely have them, (I think I have 10 left out of the 12 i bought back in March) I have heard good things bout LA muscles 'LA Whey' bars.