7 Ways to Find the Perfect Meal-Replacement Bar

Life can be hectic!

When my boys were younger, I always seemed to be running from their school to practice or shuttling around their friends. Now that they’re all grown up, my schedule hasn’t slowed down – I travel half the year, and I’m in airports and hotels as often as I’m at home.

In spite of my busy schedule, I’ve still managed to maintain healthy eating habits. And I attribute a big part of that to never leaving home without a nutritious meal-replacement bar. That’s saved me on more occasions than I can count – and the same bars can come to your rescue, too!

Whether you’re stranded in rush-hour traffic or get held up at work, choosing a bar with wholesome ingredients is always better than heading to the vending machine or nearest drive-thru! Let’s face it: fast food is never going to provide the protein, healthy fats, and fiber you need to lose weight and stay energized and focused throughout your day.

But remember, not all bars are created equal! The protein and fiber bars in my store contain delicious, high-quality, low sugar-impact ingredients you can trust, and they’re your best bet.

However, if you’re stuck without one of my bars, here’s some guidelines for choosing a healthy option. So many “protein bars” are really just adult candy bars, and that’s the last thing you want when you’re looking to crush cravings and burn fat…

Be sure to consider these 7 details when shopping for the perfect meal replacement bar…

1. Sugar impact

Don’t let innocent-sounding sugars like “organic evaporated cane juice” fool you! Check the ingredients and nutrition label to ensure your bar contains no more than 5 grams of sugar (preferably less), and stay away from concentrated sugars like honey, fructose, maple syrup, and agave.

(Get all the facts on healthy sweeteners in this blog to help you choose the best options…)

2. Artificial sweeteners

They may come with sophisticated-sounding names like “acesulfame potassium” or “sucralose,” but the way artificial sweeteners affect your body is truly frightening.

Not only do they put you at risk for cravings and weight gain, artificial sweeteners in diet drinks have also been linked to an increased risk of stroke and dementia.1 Steer clear of all types of artificial sweeteners, including aspartame and saccharin, and the devastating consequences that come with them.

3. Ingredients that trigger food intolerances

In addition to sugar and artificial sweeteners, other highly reactive foods like gluten, soy, dairy, peanuts, egg, and corn are often lurking in commercial bars.

You also need to be aware of the many names for these foods as they tend to sneak in where you’d least expect. (Check out The Virgin Diet to find out more about these enemies in disguise.)

4. Carbohydrates

While The Virgin Diet and Sugar Impact Diet are not low-carb diets, the types and amounts of carbohydrates do matter.

Ideally, your meal replacement bar should contain 10 grams or less of net carbs, which are the carbohydrates that actually impact your blood glucose levels. To figure out the number of net carbs, subtract the dietary fiber and other low-glycemic sugars like sugar alcohols from the total amount of carbs.

5. Fiber

Your secret weapon for crushing cravings and losing weight is fiber!

A quality bar should contain at least 5 grams of fiber, and bonus points are given for prebiotic fiber that feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut. (Learn more about the benefits of fiber in this post: How Much Fiber Do I Need Every Day?)

6. Protein

Both the amount and source of the protein in your bar count! An optimal amount of protein is 8-15 grams.

And, as I mentioned before, highly reactive foods like dairy, soy, and egg should be avoided. Check out this blog to find out exactly how much protein you need in your diet every day.

7. Healthy fat

Despite the low-fat craze in the ‘80s, research proves you actually need to eat fat to burn it away!

Look for crave-crushing healthy fats like coconut oil, unsweetened nut butter, cocoa butter, or tree nuts like almonds and cashews. Any bar that contains “trans” or “hydrogenated” fats should be put back on the shelf!

Now that you’re equipped with the right information, you can grab your own stash of healthy bars and carry them with you whenever you’re on the go. That way, meal emergencies never have to equal going hungry or experiencing fast food regret!

Thanks so much for reading this post! If you’re interested in finding out more about how to dial in your diet and health, please check out my online programs. They’re science-based and have already helped thousands of people feel better fast and lose the weight.