PUBLISHED 12/06/2005
The Sports-Bar Junkie
You eat so many energy bars, your definition of the four food groups is Clif, Luna, PowerBar, and Ironman.
Loathe to consume a single unmeasured, un-portion-controlled morsel, lots of runners rely too heavily on energy bars. "Runners looking to stay on top of their caloric intake think these are a healthy bet for calculating food intake," says Dolins. While she agrees that bars are a convenient way to get calories and carbs, being overly dependent on them will most likely mean that you are missing out on the benefits of whole foods. "When processed foods displace natural foods in your diet," says McQuillan, "you sacrifice fiber, carotenoids, and other health-protective phytochemicals found in fruits, veggies, and whole grains."
And while you're cheating yourself of all the good stuff whole foods have to offer, you could also be overdosing on certain nutrients since most energy bars come highly fortified. For example, an Ironman Bar provides 50 percent of the Daily Value of zinc. Eat several, and you could potentially cause a mineral imbalance.
Change your ways:
Don't think of energy bars as meal-replacements because they are not meant to provide a complete range of nutrients. They work best as an occasional snack before or after a workout.
When choosing an energy bar, look for one made with whole foods (fruit, rolled oats, nuts). Clif Bars and Boulder Bars fall in this category.
If, in a pinch, you are forced to make a meal out of an energy bar, eat at least one other real food to round out the nutrients--a piece of fresh fruit, a cup of yogurt, or a piece of string cheese.
