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Re: [RC] The mysteries of Protein bars - Jon . Linderman

Lysane,

Yup there is a HUGE range of these bars in terms of price, taste, and
target audience.  Like beet pulp and electrolytes you'll get alot of
different answers from alot of different people.  Since ardent RC
subscribers listen to expertise on these subjects, I'd like to offer my
advice as someone with a professional expertise and the practical expertise
as a former professional endurance athletes (albeit a marginal one!).  Some
bars are high protein AND high in either carbohydrates or fat, or both,
some are more geared to a high protein, low carbohydrate diet, some towards
people who have problems (diabetics & others) who have problems processing
carbohydrates in one way or another.  Very different purposes or intents
for all the different bars.

When my pancreas fell apart & I had to quit racing I fell in love w/this
crazy sport.  I now do 50's carrying a few protein bars in my vest.  I
usually get ones that first and foremost I like the taste of & those tend
to be ones that are more complete, not so much the zone or atkins type of
bars.  The zone ones for me give me the "urps" which is not good at the
trot.  So yes they have carbs and fat too, but then other than sharing
apples w/my gelding I subsist on the bars and gatorade that I leave to cool
in w/my horses water tubs.  If I eat about 4 over the course of a 50 @
250-300 calories/barl, thats not a bad intake for me.  Keeps me fresh &
then I'll have dinner w/the gang afterwards.

I look for the ones I like & that are cheap.  GNC tends to have there own
ProCrunch on sale for .99/bar and at times they offer a box quantity (24)
for $18-19.  I'm not hawking these, just found they fill the bill for me &
are fairly cheap & nicely palatable.  I use them training and competing and
they've been great.  I stay away from very chalky ones, ones that make me
urp, etc.  Also, since the "protein" bars really have protein, fat, and
carbohydrates I don't get swings in my blood sugar & don't get full or
bloated which is good since I do get off and run a bit.  I tend to just
bite of a hunk every now & then as I ride instead of downing an entire bar.

Forget about exotic claims and just find ones that fit your budget and your
taste & use them in lieu of food.  Afterall if one falls onthe ground you
can salvage it better than a PBJ that hits th turf.

happy trails.........


Jon K. Linderman, Ph.D., FACSM
Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Science
University of Dayton



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