Protein bars vs. meal replacements: Which is better?

Navigating through the supermarket aisles, filled with an abundance of choices, it can be difficult to decide between protein bars or meal replacements. Protein bars lure with promises of a healthier lifestyle, but are they truly the ideal solution?

“Meal replacements can serve as both a meal replacement and as a snack instead of a protein bar.” Read further down in the article to find out why.

It can be tempting to choose a protein bar over a meal replacement.

Many protein bars claim to have high fiber content and low calorie content, presenting themselves as a good choice. However, the critical difference lies in their nutritional composition, which is crucial to achieving your weight loss goals.

Meal Replacement – A Protein Bar with Superpowers

Options with meal replacements, including shakes, bars, or Ready to Drink (RTD), emerge as the ultimate time-saving solution. Tailored for busy days when you don’t have time to cook or eat a complete meal. They can also be consumed as a healthy and nourishing snack, offering a balanced blend of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals with all essential nutrients your body needs.

The correct composition of a meal replacement – applicable to the entire EU is:

• Energy content: The energy content shall not be less than 200 kcal and shall not exceed 250 kcal per meal.
• Fat content and composition: The energy derived from fat shall not exceed 30 % of the total available energy content of the product. The linoleic acid (in the form of glycerides) shall not be less than 1 g.
• Protein content and composition: The protein contained in the food shall provide not less than 25 % and not more than 50 % of the total energy content of the product.
• Vitamins and minerals: The food shall provide at least 30 % of the amounts of the nutrient reference values of vitamins and minerals per meal. This requirement does not apply to fluoride, chromium, chloride, and molybdenum. The amount of sodium per meal provided by the food shall be at least 172,5 mg. The amount of potassium per meal provided by the food shall be at least 500 mg.

Nutritional requirements must be clearly displayed on the packaging.

Products that meet the above criteria can claim on the packaging that they offer weight control by meal replacement and can legally state:

Replacing two daily meals in an energy-restricted diet with meal replacements contributes to weight loss/weight reduction.
Replacing one daily meal in an energy-restricted diet with a meal replacement contributes to maintaining weight after weight loss.

Protein Bars – Handle with Caution.

Navigating through the myriad of protein bars can be confusing as they serve multiple purposes in your daily diet, whether as a quick breakfast, pre- or post-workout snack, or a midday pick-me-up.

It’s important to note that protein bars can vary significantly in size, ingredients, and nutritional values. Therefore, carefully reading the nutrition and ingredient lists is crucial to identify the differences.

Some bars may weigh as little as 20 g, while others weigh 70 g. The calorie content due to sugar and fat content can vary dramatically from as little as 60 kcal per bar to nearly 300 kcal per bar. Additionally, protein bars typically contain between 7-25 grams of protein per bar.

While protein bars may appear as a quick fix, they often lack the comprehensive nutrition that meal replacements offer. While boasting high protein content, they often fall short on other essential nutrients. However, protein bars can still be a convenient and decent option for snacking or supporting muscle building as needed.

It’s important to be aware that protein bars are not subjected to the same strict standards of nutritional composition as meal replacements.

Although some protein bars may meet criteria such as adequate protein content, they do not fulfill other stringent nutritional requirements compared to what meal replacement products must adhere to. Therefore, they should not be considered as a complete alternative to a balanced meal.

Conclusion is that a meal replacement ensures a better nutritional composition.

It is important to remember that meal replacements are designed to replace a full meal and contain a balanced blend of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

If you occasionally substitute a meal with a protein bar, there is no cause for concern. However, if this substitution becomes a regular habit, it can have significant consequences. Since a “bar” requires necessary scrutiny of its nutritional content and does not always provide enough nutrition.

Therefore, you may risk consuming either too few or too many calories to support sensible weight loss or weight maintenance, and your intake of essential vitamins and minerals may be inadequate, which can have serious long-term health consequences.

What are the consequences of replacing a regular meal with a protein bar?

While there is no immediate cause for concern if you only occasionally substitute a meal with a protein bar, regular substitution can lead to inadequate or excessive calorie intake for sensible weight loss, while also compromising essential vitamin and mineral intake.

My recommendations as a clinical dietitian

As a clinical dietitian, I consistently advocate for choosing meal replacements over protein bars. Meal replacements can serve as both a meal replacement and, in certain scenarios, a snack instead of a protein bar. They represent a healthier alternative and constitute ‘smart food’. A meal replacement must fulfill nutritional requirements by containing at least 30% of the daily vitamins and minerals your body needs.

Therefore, it’s crucial to discern the differences and opt for a meal replacement shake, bar, or ready-to-drink shake over a conventional protein bar. If you occasionally substitute a meal with a protein bar, there’s no immediate cause for concern. However, habitual swapping can lead to inadequate or excessive calorie intake for prudent weight loss, while also compromising the intake of essential vitamins and minerals.

The overarching recommendation is to adhere to meal replacements specifically designed to facilitate weight control and provide all the necessary nutrients to maintain overall health.

Sources:

• https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R1413&from=ENELEX:32016R1413&from=EN
• www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk (2024) De officielle kostråd