Protein bars...so convenient yet so full of garbage. They hold the
promise of being healthy, easy and full of life-giving, muscle-building
protein.

But have you ever taken a few minutes to look at what's actually IN them?

I think you're going to be in for a shock when you read the TRUTH
about the ingredients in some of the most popular protein bars on
the market right now.

Let's get right to it:...

#1 - Soy Protein Isolate (SPI)

This is, unfortunately, one of the most prevalent protein sources you'll
find in protein bars, especially those marketed to women. This marketing
would have you believe that soy is an excellent protein source for women
because of the isoflavones found in it. In reality, studies have indicated
that these soy isoflavones can actually be TOXIC because of how the soy
is processed (fermented soy products such as tofu are fine, just fyi).

In addition, SPI was actually considered a WASTE product in soy
processing until recently, when it was discovered that money could be
made by passing it off as a protein source. It's cheap and definitely NOT
a high-quality protein. It should be avoided.

And the final nail in the soy coffin: GMO. A very high percentage of the
soy grown in the United States is from genetically modified organisms (GMO).
They don't currently have to be labeled as such but if you're buying any sort
of processed food, chances are very good you're getting a GMO-sourced product.

#2 - High Fructose Corn Syrup

This is an easy one to figure out...the adverse health effects of it are well
documented (contrary to what the commercials from the Corn Growers
Association claim - those are truly among the most annoying commercials
in existence, trying to make people who question corn syrup look stupid).
It's one of the WORST things you can eat and yet there are still bars that
use it as a primary ingredient.

#3 - Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil

Palm kernel oil is a cheap, unhealthy fat. Unlike plain palm oil, palm kernel
oil can't be obtained organically. Instead, the oil must be extracted from
the pit with a gasoline-like hydrocarbon solvent. The fractioned form is the
most processed...if you see that in the ingredients, you should definitely avoid it.

#4 - Sugar Alcohols

This includes ingredients like Maltitol Syrup, Xylitol, Sorbitol, Lactitol,
Mannitol, and Erythritol. Sugar alcohols are included in bars for
sweetness...especially in bars that are "carb controlled". Sugar alcohols
don't impact blood sugar as much as regular sugar because they're not
well absorbed in the digestive tract...and when things aren't well absorbed
in the digestive tract, things happen (if you know what I mean).

In small amounts, sugar alcohols aren't a big problem, but if you start
getting into the double digits of grams of sugar alcohol (and many low-carb
bars are in the 20 gram range), THEN you can start to see unpleasant
digestive issues.

#5 - Artificial Sweeteners

I won't get into the whole debate about whether artificial sweeteners are
bad for you or not and what they turn into in your body, etc. Personally,
I'm of the mindset that if it's created by science, chances are good your
body won't recognize it and won't be able to metabolize it into something
actually good for you. Therefore, I try and stay away from artificial sweeteners
as much as I possibly can. I find the actual natural flavor of real food to be
pretty good :).

In Summary...

Those are my top 5 worst protein bar ingredients...and you will actually find
bars that contain ALL of these ingredients in them.

The main problem I have with the vast majority of protein bars today is that
at their most base level, they're deceptive. The bars are put forward as
convenient, healthy alternatives to food for "on the go" people. Yet when you
take a close look at the ingredients, they're actually WORSE for you than most
candy bars.

Obviously money is the biggest factor...companies that use high-quality
ingredients in their bars have to charge more for them in order to stay in
business. Hence the brick-like slop sold in bar form that you'll find in the
grocery store aisles today.

A New Breed of Protein Bar...Raw and Natural

So one of the most exciting discoveries I made last year was completely by
chance. After looking at the ingredients in a protein bar from a big supplement
company in a grocery store last fall, I immediately took to the Internet to register
my disgust (obscure Simpsons reference there, for those who are fans :).

I posted my opinion on my Facebook page and right away I saw a post from
a guy named Dale Buchanan. He said he totally agreed with my thoughts
about the low quality of protein bars and in response, he had actually started
making his OWN bars from raw, natural, organic ingredients and started a
company selling them.

Well, I decided to learn more about Dale and his bars and to try them out.

You see, my wife, Kelly, is a real estate agent and she runs on a CRAZY
schedule. Like a lot of people these days, she needs healthy stuff she can grab
on the go and protein bars were always a staple...it was always a fight to find
one with good ingredients that tasted good.

So we ordered a sample box to test out...

They tasted EXTREMELY good and the quality of the ingrediants is outstanding.
For example, here's what you'll find in the Raspberry Hazelnut bars (which are one
of my favorite flavors):

Organic dates, pea protein, hemp protein, rice protein, almond butter,
hazelnuts, coconut nectar, dried raspberries, raw cacao, coconut oil, stevia,
water.

GREAT ingredients...GREAT taste...we order these bars all the time now and love them.

And here's the best part...

Right now (TODAY is the last day), you can get TWO boxes for the price of ONE box.

Now, remember how I mentioned that companies that use high-quality
ingredients have to charge more to stay in business?

That's the case with these bars. I'll be the first to admit that at their regular price,
they're not cheap...but when you can get DOUBLE the bars for the normal price,
like you can with this sale, the price is basically the same as the garbage bars
that you find at the store.

And THAT is why I highly recommend taking advantage of this offer before Dale
comes to his senses and closes it down :).

Click here to order your "buy one, get one free" boxes of bars now...

Nick

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Plain Text Links

http://www.rawfoodproteinbars.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Get my Daily Insane Exercise Tips on my Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/nicknilssonmadscientist

My YouTube Channel - Learn Unique, New Exercises here!
http://www.youtube.com/user/nilssonnick

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/nicknilsson
--------------------------------------------------------------------