Posted on December 16, 2011

There is a time and a place for energy bars,. For sustained energy, home-cooked whole-food meals are best, but energy bars can be much easier to fit in a jacket pocket.With shelves and shelves of bars to choose from, it helps to think about your purpose in selecting one.

Before Exercise

• For quick energy during strenuous activity, look for a high carbohydrate content — 20 grams or more.

• For energy that won’t fizzle out, look for sugar content of 18 grams or less.

• Bars with fewer than 15 grams of protein are easier to digest on the move.

Recovering After Exercise

• The first two hours after exercise is the most efficient time to replenish your body’s carbohydrate and glycogen stores.

• Look for bars with a 4-to-1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein.

Satisfying Hunger

• For staving off hunger, choose bars with a more even ratio of protein to carbohydrates. Protein and fat both slow digestion and prolong a sense of fullness.

• Look for fiber as well; it slows digestion for a longer, more consistent release of energy.