I’ve been focussing on upping my protein content recently. I find it sustains me more and I snack less.
I have to be a little more organised, hence the hula hoops and Kit Kat issue last week.
I took my mum shopping this morning and needed to pick up something for my lunch.
I saw a protein snack bar, £1.50 for 21g protein, it was cheap compared to some brands. There were some protein bars that were £3.50, that’s insane, I bought a steak for the same price which has the same amount of calories and protein.
I know I’d much rather have steak and vegetables than a bar; I also know which one would keep me full for longer. The bars are designed for convenience, I get that. They are marketed to get your hit f protein in straight after your workout.
The benefits of getting that early hit of protein after your workout are nominal in the big picture. Increasing the intensity of your workout would give more gains.
Sleep, recovery and hydration are all factors directly under our influence but not as brightly coloured or marketed as well as a protein bar.
For lunch I went for a pack of king prawns which cost the same, had the same protein content and a third of the calories. Still less calories when I put them in a wrap with a spread of chilli jam. I do have the bar to try and the wrap was much tastier.
If you have a choice between food and a bar, go for the food.
Darren “beefy” Checkley
