How to Compare Energy Bars

When out hiking or bike riding, it is important to bring food to increase your energy when your stamina begins to fail (or when your stomach begins to rumble). However, it is not always possible to pack and carry a full lunch, so you may want to bring an energy bar instead. Of course there are many different energy bars available, all with different ingredients that may help increase your performance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Look at the carbohydrates on the back of the packaging label. If you are performing strenuous activities such as sustained mountain biking, you will want an energy bar high in carbohydrates--around the 40 gram range. Carbohydrates are pure energy and will most likely be used up by your activity.

Step 2

Find the protein count. Protein will keep you feeling full longer while providing the energy you need. High-protein bars will be the perfect snacks when hiking or partaking in activities that aren't as strenuous as mountain biking or whitewater rafting. For high protein, you will want at least 9 grams, but you can find ones well over 20.

Step 3

Check the calorie count on the bar. Calories will also result in sustained energy. However, calorie counts over 300-400 tend to be a little excessive and end up turning the "energy" bar into more of a "candy" bar.

Step 4

Consider the price. Once you have found several energy bars that fit the kind of energy you need, the price may be the deciding factor. You will most likely go with the bar of the same nutritional value that costs $2, verses the bar that costs $6.

Step 5

Purchase several kinds of energy bars if you are curious about them. Even if one is slightly more expensive than the other, you may find it tastes much better (some energy bars are notorious for having a bad, chalky taste). It will probably be better to spend a little more on an energy bar you like than one you can't stand.

Article Written By Greyson Ferguson

Greyson Ferguson is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in film and television. He currently resides in Lansing, Michigan where he works on independent film projects and writes for numerous publications. Ferguson primarily focuses on computer and electronic articles. Greyson produces TheDailyUpbeat.com, focusing on only upbeat news stories with daily updates.

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