Protein bars have come a long way in terms of nutrient profile and taste since their introduction to the supplement market a few decades ago. A good example of the drastic improvements that have been made can be seen in the NuGO Stronger protein bars. The manufacturers, NuGO Nutrition, sent me a few bars to sample and the following are my thoughts on them.
Nutritional Profile:Â the first thing I take a look at when assessing a supplement is the nutrition label, which includes the nutrition facts and the ingredients list.
The saturated fat content of these bars is low, while unsaturated (good) fats and protein are high, which are all positives. Also, there is quite a bit of fiber present. However, the net carb content of the bars is a bit high, with over 20 grams of carbs per bar, so this would not be recommended if you are following a low-carb diet.
The protein make-up of the bars is mainly in the form of whey protein, specifically the concentrate type. This is both a plus and a negative. The plus is whey protein is highest quality source of protein, but the concentrate form is not as pure as the isolate form. This is because whey concentrate contains a bit of the sugar lactose, while the isolate form contains none. This is a minor downside, but it is noted nonetheless for those who are lactose intolerant.
Another negative in terms of protein make-up is the bars contain rice protein concentrate, which is a lower quality source of protein due to its low bioavailability. As a comparison, whey protein has a bioavailability of 100-159, while rice protein measures at 59 on the same scale.
This means that whey is absorbed and utilized by your body much better than rice protein. So, it would have been favorable if the protein make-up was all whey protein, or better yet, all whey protein isolate. That said, whey protein is present in higher amounts in the bars than rice protein, since whey is listed first, plus the bars also contain milk protein, which is one of the higher quality protein sources, so the presence of rice protein is not too much of a downside.
All the ingredients are non-GMO and free of artificial hormones, which are two pluses. Furthermore, there is no gluten present in these bars. And thus, NuGO Stronger bars would be suitable for individuals following a gluten-free diet.
Taste:Â the nutritional profile of the bars is good, but what stands out the most is the taste. Each of the four flavors, dark chocolate, cookies and cream, caramel cluster and peanut cluster tasted like candy bars. And this is no exaggeration. This could certainly explain why the bars are a bit high in terms of carb content, as the taste was not compromised. Many protein bars on the market taste good initially, but after a few bites, the taste becomes progressively worse. This was not the case with the NuGO Stronger bars. They tasted great from start to finish.
Satiety:Â another plus of these bars is the fullness effect. My appetite was satisfied after eating one bar. The presence of fiber and high protein are likely responsible for this. These bars are thus an excellent choice for a morning or an afternoon snack in between your main meals.
Overall: if you're not following a low-carb diet and would like to supplement your bodybuilding diet with a protein bar, then you should certainly give the NuGO Stronger bars a try. While the nutritional profile could be improved in several areas, it is good overall. And, the great taste and fullness effect are two huge pluses that will keep you and your appetite satisfied, helping you better stick to your bodybuilding diet.
To learn more about NuGO Stronger and other protein bars offered by NuGO Nutrition, visit here.
Nutritional Profile:Â the first thing I take a look at when assessing a supplement is the nutrition label, which includes the nutrition facts and the ingredients list.
The saturated fat content of these bars is low, while unsaturated (good) fats and protein are high, which are all positives. Also, there is quite a bit of fiber present. However, the net carb content of the bars is a bit high, with over 20 grams of carbs per bar, so this would not be recommended if you are following a low-carb diet.
The protein make-up of the bars is mainly in the form of whey protein, specifically the concentrate type. This is both a plus and a negative. The plus is whey protein is highest quality source of protein, but the concentrate form is not as pure as the isolate form. This is because whey concentrate contains a bit of the sugar lactose, while the isolate form contains none. This is a minor downside, but it is noted nonetheless for those who are lactose intolerant.
Another negative in terms of protein make-up is the bars contain rice protein concentrate, which is a lower quality source of protein due to its low bioavailability. As a comparison, whey protein has a bioavailability of 100-159, while rice protein measures at 59 on the same scale.
This means that whey is absorbed and utilized by your body much better than rice protein. So, it would have been favorable if the protein make-up was all whey protein, or better yet, all whey protein isolate. That said, whey protein is present in higher amounts in the bars than rice protein, since whey is listed first, plus the bars also contain milk protein, which is one of the higher quality protein sources, so the presence of rice protein is not too much of a downside.
All the ingredients are non-GMO and free of artificial hormones, which are two pluses. Furthermore, there is no gluten present in these bars. And thus, NuGO Stronger bars would be suitable for individuals following a gluten-free diet.
Taste:Â the nutritional profile of the bars is good, but what stands out the most is the taste. Each of the four flavors, dark chocolate, cookies and cream, caramel cluster and peanut cluster tasted like candy bars. And this is no exaggeration. This could certainly explain why the bars are a bit high in terms of carb content, as the taste was not compromised. Many protein bars on the market taste good initially, but after a few bites, the taste becomes progressively worse. This was not the case with the NuGO Stronger bars. They tasted great from start to finish.
Satiety:Â another plus of these bars is the fullness effect. My appetite was satisfied after eating one bar. The presence of fiber and high protein are likely responsible for this. These bars are thus an excellent choice for a morning or an afternoon snack in between your main meals.
Overall: if you're not following a low-carb diet and would like to supplement your bodybuilding diet with a protein bar, then you should certainly give the NuGO Stronger bars a try. While the nutritional profile could be improved in several areas, it is good overall. And, the great taste and fullness effect are two huge pluses that will keep you and your appetite satisfied, helping you better stick to your bodybuilding diet.
To learn more about NuGO Stronger and other protein bars offered by NuGO Nutrition, visit here.