mefirstliving

Candy bar vs protein bar: what changes besides the wrapper? Protein bars can add concentrated protein and fiber, but the sweetness can come from very different ingredients. Some use sugar, some use substitutes, and some use both. 1. PROTEIN Look at the grams per serving AND the source. Milk, whey and soy are examples you may see. A protein label alone does not tell you how the rest of the bar is formulated. 2. SUGAR ALCOHOLS Xylitol, maltitol and erythritol belong to this group. They provide sweetness with fewer calories per gram than sugar. They are not the alcohol found in drinks. For U.S. nutrition labeling, calories per gram are calculated using these factors: Sugar: 4 Xylitol: 2.4 Maltitol: 2.1 Erythritol: 0 These are labeling factors for the ingredients, NOT the calorie content of a finished bar. 3. OTHER SWEETENERS Stevia-derived sweeteners and sucralose are a different category. They are not sugar alcohols. Check the ingredient list to see which sweeteners a product actually uses. 4. FIBER Some bars add ingredients such as inulin or soluble fiber. Read the fiber grams and ingredient list rather than assuming every bar contains the same thing. 5. YOUR STOMACH Some sugar alcohols can cause gas, bloating or diarrhea in some people. The amount and individual tolerance matter. This does not mean everyone will react. A lower-sugar bar is not automatically a lower-calorie bar. Compare the whole serving: calories, protein, sugar, fiber and ingredients. Neither category has one universal formula. Have you ever checked what sweetens your protein bar? Which ingredient surprised you? #MeFirstLiving #ProteinBars #SugarAlcohols #NutritionLabels #FoodFacts