It seems almost futuristic to survive on energy bars alone, sort of like replacing all your meals with pills that provide the full range of necessary nutrients. But it is a possibility. Energy bars are futuristic in and of themselves–they were originally designed for astronauts, dubbed “Space Food Sticks”, meant to be consumed through an opening in the helmet.
Given their portability and nutritional value, it’s not surprising that energy bars rocketed to success (pun intended) in the snack food market.
What are the various types of energy bars?
Energy bars come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, and they’re all unique–some of them are better used for a light snack and others are meant as meal replacements. In theory, if a bar can replace a meal, they can replace your whole diet. In this blog post, we take a look at what humans need to survive, and if energy bars can provide that.
What the Average Human Eats in a Day
While the daily caloric intake varies by age and sex (1,600 to 2,400 calories per day for adult women and 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day for adult men), let’s keep things simple and use 2,000 calories for our model. Tahoe Trail Bars range from containing 220 to 260 calories each – you would need to eat 8 to 10 of these in order to reach your recommended caloric intake.
Do the Math
In order to figure out if a diet consisting of only energy bars is plausible, we have to take a look at a breakdown of the recommended daily intake of food. One Tahoe Trail Bar supplies you with 14% of your total fat for the day (but contains 0g artificial trans fat!), 12% of total carbs, and 15% of protein. In order to max out on all these categories and sustain your body, you’d need to eat about 6 to 8 bars in a day.
Carbs, Fat, Protein
Tahoe Trail Bars are some of the healthiest energy bars. They're an excellent meal replacement because they contain substantial amounts of the trifecta of carbs, fat, and protein. These key nutrients are key, and it’s important to incorporate them into every meal. However, not all forms of these nutrients are the healthiest for you, so be sure to keep following in mind:
Carbs: Stick to carbs found in fruit and whole grains. These will keep you energized for longer, and are better for you than refined sugar. Fiber is another important carbohydrate. Tahoe Trail Bars are low sugar energy bars made with whole grains and real fruit, and contain fiber, which aids in digestion.
Protein: According to the National Institute of Health, “protein from plant sources tends to be lower in saturated fat, contains no cholesterol, and provides fiber and other health-promoting nutrients.” Tahoe Trail Bars are 100% vegan energy bars, making it easy for you to incorporate plant-based protein into your diet.
Fat: In order for the body to function and absorb nutrients, you need to consume fats. You can find healthy fats in nuts and seeds, two main ingredients in our bars. We don’t use trans fats, as those are artificially produced, and we take pride in our all natural energy bars.
Up Your Water Intake
If your diet only consists of energy bars, it’s important to supplement the water you would have gotten from fresh fruits and veggies. That is, you should be chugging water throughout the day. Not only does the water found in fresh food keep you hydrated, it also aids in the digestion process. And when you’re eating that much fiber, you need all the extra water you can get.
In conclusion: next time you substitute a meal with an energy bar, don’t feel guilty. It’s providing you with all the things your body needs, and may even keep you full longer. While eating only energy bars isn’t that realistic, it’s reassuring to know that they can provide you with all the nutrients you need.
Tahoe Trail Bars provide you with carbs, fat, and protein from the best ingredients to sustain and energize you throughout the day, whether you’re eating them as a snack or as a meal replacement. We make it easy for you to feel good about what you’re eating. Our bars are made with all-natural, non-
GMO ingredients, and they’re always gluten-free and vegan. With four different equally delicious flavors, we’re confident they can satisfy any craving. You can try them for yourself at www.tahoetrailbar.com!
Featured image credit: Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
