Essentials of Nutrition for Sports

Sports Energy Bars

These are a convenient source of cal

ories for use before, during,

or after exercise.

Providing calories is their primary purpose. Most contain about

200 calories per serving/packet.

Table 24

, below, lists selected sports energy bars. These typify

manufacturer offerings. The inclusion of products and the omission of others is not an endorsement of

the products listed or a criticism of

those omitted.

Originally conceived as convenient energy sources for fueling

during workouts, niche markets have developed for bars before and after workouts, for women, for those trying to lose weight, for those on 40-30-30 diets, and for those on low-carb diets.

The Clif Bar and PowerBar products illustrate some of the many

carbohydrate, protein-carbohydrate, and reduced-calorie offerings.

Carbohydrate is the most importa

nt and usually main source of

energy for during-exercise bars. Bars marketed for recovery (after exercise) often contain protein, generally about 20% of calories. Although the marketing of protein for recovery has been heavy, the science underlying marketing claims

is light. For more information

on this topic read the information starting on page

66

.

Energy bar companies attempting to provide calories while also

catering to those trying to lose weight, following the 40-30-30 program, or being part of the low-carb craze present marketing

challenges perhaps best describ

ed charitably as oxymoronic

(described uncharitably as moronic).

The only mineral that has consistently been shown to be

important for athletes is sodium. For more information about sweat mineral losses, see page

21

.

Other ingredients are of questionable value. Other ingredients

include anti-oxidants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs.

Most products are best accompanied by at least 8 ounces of

water to prevent gastrointestinal upset.

Although convenient, few non-athletes describe these products

as tasty; some have the mouth feel of cardboard. Although athlete palates may get used to these produc

ts, few in the general population

prefer their taste to Milky Way

or Snickers chocolate bars.

Easy, relatively inexpensive, tasty, and potentially more

nutritious alternatives include bananas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Fig Newtons, PopTarts,

and relatively low-fat chocolate

bars like Milky Way.

Nutritional contents are based on information provided on the

manufacturers’ websites, accessed October, 2004.

Label conflicts are relatively common and are noted. Small

differences may be explained by rounding.

The nutritional content of the

italicized

flavor is given.

(^)
Nutrition for Sports, Essentials of 103