Protein Bar "Post-Workout"...is it ok?

[onesixeight]

Hi...

I was wondering...I know most don't recommend protein bars because of the high sugar content..but could I use them as post workout simple carbs?

I'm talking about bars such as SportPharma Promax bar...it has 29g of sugar or MexRx with 38g sugar.

Would these work as a post workout carb spike?

Thanks...

 

[PlateheadJim]

Hi...

I was wondering...I know most don't recommend protein bars because of the high sugar content..but could I use them as post workout simple carbs?

I'm talking about bars such as SportPharma Promax bar...it has 29g of sugar or MexRx with 38g sugar.

Would these work as a post workout carb spike?

Thanks...

Let me spell it out - N O

 

[Stryc-9]

To elaborate on Platehead's answer....

The problem with a protein bar post-workout is that besides the simple sugars, most of them also have too much fat....

Post-workout, you don't want fat - you want something that your body can absorb really quickly.....like plain old whey isolate....and some dextrose....you don't want any fat in there.

A good rule of thumb is this: If you have to chew it, don't eat it post-workout....it'll take too long to digest - and hence, won't make a good post-workout meal....

 

[Haz]

Stryc, I've read that eating fat after a workout doesn't effect the bodies ablility to absorb and replensih muscle glycogen. I wouldn't recommend eating alot of fat post workout, but a bit shouldn't hurt.

 

[110%]

too much fat will slow down the digestion, but a little ownt hurt. though protein bars are not good postworkout for many reasons, liquid is digested faster. the sugars in the bar might not be thre right ones, just cuz it is sugar it could have some fructose, most carbs in protein bars are empty calories such as glycerol. why dont u just go with like a shake and some dextrose? or sweet tarts and a shake would even be better than the bar.

 

[plornive]

I think something like a PowerBar would be fine for carbs, although it is not as quick to digest as 110% said. But anyway, it is not too bad. I beleive Promax has a bar with only 3-5 grams of fat. You might also try a PowerBar Protein plus. I think liquid is better if you are looking for fast digestion and an insulin "spike", though.

When you drink whey and dextrose/maltodextrin, time to gastric emptying approaches zero and it flows right into your system. Solid foods - especially those bricks I MEAN BARS - spend a lot of time in the stomach being liquified before gastric emptying occurs.

Another interesting note is that ECA slows gastric emptying. This is what causes appetite suppression with ECA. This probably hinders an insulin spike, effectually lowering the GI of any food that you eat.

 

[Stryc-9]

Stryc, I've read that eating fat after a workout doesn't effect the bodies ablility to absorb and replensih muscle glycogen. I wouldn't recommend eating alot of fat post workout, but a bit shouldn't hurt.

Fair enough - I guess I've always just avoided it altogether - and it's more or less just a mental block on my part...

Yeesh - the things we go through to feed the machine!