Compare Meal Replacement Protein Shakes

Complete, Balanced Nutrition

Customer Rating

Size

Protein

Calories

Vitamins & Minerals

Sugar

Fat

Form

Flavors

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Original

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8oz

9g

220

27

15g

6g

Shake

Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Butter Pecan, Coffee Latte

Ensure

^®

Plus

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8oz

16g

350

27

20g

11g

Shake

Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Butter Pecan

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^®

COMPLETE

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10oz

30g

350

25

15g

8g

Shake

Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry

Ensure

^® Original Nutrition Powder

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Per 8oz Serving

9g

250

25

13g

9g

Powder

Vanilla

Targeted Nutrition

Customer Rating

Size

Protein

Calories

Vitamins & Minerals

Sugar

Fat

Form

Flavors

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Max Protein

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11oz

30g

150

25

1g

1. 5g

Shake

Café Mocha, Milk Chocolate, French Vanilla, Creamy Peach, Cherry Cheesecake, Creamy Strawberry, Milk Chocolate with Caffeine

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^®

High Protein

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8oz

16g

160

27

4g

2g

Shake

Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry

Ensure

^®

High Protein Bars

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1. 76oz

15g

210

18

1-2g

7g

Bar

Vanilla Cupcake, Mixed Berry

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^®

Plant-Based Protein

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11oz

20g

180

25

7g

6g

Shake

Chocolate, Vanilla

Targeted Nutrition

Customer Rating

Size

Protein

Calories

Vitamins & Minerals

Sugar

Fat

Form

Flavors

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^®

Clear

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10oz

8g

180

15

18g

0g

Fruit-Flavored Drink

Blueberry Pomegranate, Mixed Fruit

Advanced Nutrition

Ensure

^®

Enlive^®

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8oz

20g

350

26

20g

11g

Shake

Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry

Specialty Therapeutic Nutrition

Customer Rating

Size

Protein

Calories

Vitamins & Minerals

Sugar

Fat

Form

Flavors

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^®

Surgery

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8oz

18g

330

26

19g

9g

Shake

Vanilla

Ensure

^®

Pre-Surgery

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10oz

0g

200

2

6g

0g

Nutrition Drink

Strawberry

Ensure

^®

Compact

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4oz

9g

220

25

9g

6g

Shake

Milk Chocolate, Vanilla

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^®

Rapid Hydration

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Per 16oz Serving

0g

50

6

11g

0g

Powder

Berry Freeze, Strawberry Chill

Nutrient content may vary by flavor.


* Not for people with galactosemia

^† Ingredients not genetically engineered.

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Protein Bars Vs Protein Shakes: Which Are More Effective?

Protein bars and protein shakes both offer a convenient way to increase your protein intake, particularly when you are on the go and don’t have time to sit down and prepare a more complete meal.

But, which is healthier, protein bars or protein shakes? How do protein bars vs protein shakes stack up? Keep reading to find out!

In this guide, we will cover: 

• Are Protein Shakes Or Protein Bars Better for You?

• The Benefits of Protein Bars vs Protein Shakes

• The Benefits of Protein Shakes vs Protein Bars

Let’s get started!

Are Protein Shakes Or Protein Bars Better for You?

Before we look at the specific pros and cons of protein bars vs protein shakes, It’s important to establish that there isn’t necessarily a “winner” overall.  

There are certain circumstances in which protein bars are better than protein shakes and certain instances in which shakes are better than protein bars.

Most often, whether it is better to have a protein bar vs shake or vice versa will largely depend upon your dietary needs and preferences.

There is a lot of overlap in the nutrition offered by either a protein shake or a protein bar, so in some ways, choosing one over another can be a matter of personal preference, convenience, and cost.

With that said, there is now quite a range of protein bars and protein shakes available, and the term “proteins shake“ can refer to a wide range of homemade protein shakes as well. 

As such, the nutrition facts of any two protein bars or any two protein shakes can actually be quite different. This means that it’s hard or shortsighted to make sweeping generalizations about protein bars vs protein shakes and their nutrition facts.

The Benefits of Protein Bars vs Protein Shakes

Protein Bars Are More Convenient

Both protein bars and protein shakes can be convenient (if you’re drinking a premade shake), but when you’re looking for convenience, there is little arguing that protein bars are better than protein shakes.

They do not require any refrigeration.

You can keep one in your gym bag or backpack and have one on your way to or from work.

Although most people will eat the entire protein bar in one sitting (and nearly all protein bars are a single serving), you can take bites or have part of a bar and then fold down the wrapper and save the rest for later.

For example, if you need a quick pick-me-up or have a sensitive stomach. you might want to have half of a protein bar as you head into the gym for a workout and then save the other half for mid-workout or afterward. 

Protein bars are also great for hiking, long walks, runs, or long cycling workouts where carrying a liquid protein shake would not be particularly feasible.

Protein Bars Have a Better Macronutrient Balance

Although both protein bars and protein shakes have different ingredients and nutrition facts, if you’re looking for a more balanced macronutrient profile, you’ll typically find that in protein bars vs protein shakes.

Protein bars usually contain some amount of fat and carbohydrates along with protein, while protein shakes often provide mostly protein if you’re making your own with just protein powder and water or unsweetened almond milk.

For example, the Exo Peanut Butter and Jelly Protein Bar provides a balance of 10 grams of protein, 15 grams of fat, and 27 grams of carbohydrates. 

The RX Chocolate Sea Salt protein bars have 12 grams of protein, 9 grams of fat, and 23 grams of carbohydrates. 

The macronutrient balance in protein bars can be better for certain diets and may provide longer-lasting satiety because of the mix of nutrients, including healthy fats.

Protein bars almost always have more fiber than protein shakes, and fiber not only aids digestion and improves bowel regularity but also keeps you fuller for longer because it slows gastric emptying.

For example, the RX bar listed above has 5 grams of fiber, which is about 20% of the daily value. The carbohydrates in protein bars also make them ideal for pre-workout or post-workout fueling.

Protein Bars Are More Filling

In general, when it comes to satiety, it is typically better to have protein bars vs protein shakes.

In addition to the macronutrient ratio of protein bars vs protein shakes and the higher fiber content in protein bars vs protein shakes, protein bars tend to be more filling and have a more significant impact on appetite because they are solid.

Studies have found that chewing solid food seems to provide better satiety than drinking liquid calories.

The body may be unable to detect the intake of calories and nutrients in beverages as easily or accurately as when real food is chewed and swallowed.

This means that even when the number of calories in the protein shake vs protein bar are similar, you may not feel as full for as long after the protein shake.

Because the protein shake is liquid, it is heavier in your stomach, so you might feel full right after drinking it, but that satiety will not last long, and you may find that you are hungry quite soon afterward.

Protein Bars Are Lighter

As mentioned, from a practical perspective, having protein bars vs protein shakes during activities where you have to carry your fueling makes sense because protein bars are lighter since they are dry.

However, another benefit of having a lighter protein bar vs shake is that the protein bar will not slosh around in your stomach if you are going to be doing high-intensity interval training, plyometrics, jump roping, boxing, sprinting, or other types of vigorous workouts.

If you do not have ample time to digest your pre-workout snack before your session, your stomach might feel better with the protein bar instead of a voluminous protein shake.

Protein Bars May Be Less Processed

We all know it’s best to consume foods in their whole, unprocessed state as much as possible.

Both protein bars and protein shakes are considered processed foods.

However, there are some protein bars that use whole food ingredients and have very minimal processing.

Protein shakes, on the other hand, use protein powders, which are extremely processed, and if you are buying premade liquid protein shakes, there are almost always tons of processed ingredients and fillers in them.

The Benefits of Protein Shakes vs Protein Bars

There are also benefits of protein shakes vs protein bars.

Protein Shakes Are More Customizable

Although you can certainly buy pre-made liquid protein shakes, when most people use the term “protein shake,“ they are referring to a protein shake they have made using protein powder.

This allows you to tailor the protein shake to your nutritional needs and goals as well as taste preferences.

Although you can find protein bars with different flavors and different types of protein sources, most people are not making their own protein bars from scratch, giving you less control over exactly what you are eating.

Protein Shakes Are a Leaner Source Of Protein 

If you are trying to lose weight or really do not want to have carbohydrates or fat with your protein snack, it’s almost always better to have a protein shake vs a protein bar.

Protein shakes can be made with protein powder isolate and plain water, which will give you a very lean protein. With most protein bars, you will find that there are calories from fats and/or carbohydrates.

For example, even sugar-free keto protein bars have quite a bit of healthy fats and more calories than a scoop of protein powder that you can use to make a basic lean protein shake.

Protein shakes also tend to have less sugar than protein bars, particularly if you are making your own from protein powder and you are not adding additional sweeteners. 

With that said, flavored protein powders are often packed with artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols like erythritol, or other non-caloric sweeteners such as Stevia. These are not necessarily “better for you“ than natural sugar.

You can also find sugar-free protein bars with similar ingredients, but if you had to make a sweeping generalization about the sugar in protein shakes vs protein bars, protein shakes typically have less sugar.

Ultimately, there isn’t a definitive winner in the protein shake vs protein bar match up, as there are advantages and disadvantages to each.

You can find many healthy protein bars and shakes, as well as those that are masquerading as little more than a candy bar or milkshake with an expensive price tag.

Choose which works best for you, your dietary needs, and the specific circumstances in which you will need to consume these products.

To ensure your protein shakes and bars are as unprocessed as possible, try out our homemade recipes:

10 Awesome Protein Shake Recipes

How To Make Homemade Protein Bars

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• Protein Bars

Protein bars are a snack option for those looking to lose weight or gain muscle mass. Unlike sweets, they do not contain pure sugar and are lower in calories. Protein bars for weight loss can be used to get rid of hunger, but not as a main food.

What are protein bars, benefits

Protein bars are a healthy and tasty product containing 10 to 15 grams of protein. The composition also contains additional components: L-carnitine, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. As a base – cereals and dried fruits, honey or fructose as a sweetener.

Why you should stock up on protein bars:

• They suppress appetite well, can replace a snack or even a meal.
• More useful and less high-calorie ordinary chocolate bars and even sandwiches with sausage.
• It is convenient to take with you to work, training and walking.
• Satisfies the need for desserts, reduces cravings for sweets.
• Contain vitamins and minerals, natural fiber.
• Gives energy for training.
• Delicious and nutritious.

Their main advantage is the feeling of fullness, thanks to which it is possible to refuse a heavy dinner or snack. And if you play sports, then the bars will save your muscles from destruction.

Contraindications and harm

Please note that some bars contain sugar, as well as artificial flavors and colors. Therefore, their use is contraindicated in the following conditions:

• diabetes;
• obesity;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• individual intolerance to the components;
• kidney failure.

In general, protein bars provide more benefits, but there is a possibility of the opposite effect:

• increased blood glucose levels;
• allergic reaction;
• with frequent use and lack of physical activity – overweight.

Only with the condition of taking into account contraindications and moderate use can positive changes in the figure be achieved.

Bars for weight loss: what you need to know

The bars themselves do not have fat burning properties. Moreover, if you abandon the usual diet in favor of them, then the weight will grow rapidly. So remember a few rules:

1. No more than 2 bars are allowed per day.
2. The ideal time for bars is immediately after training and in the morning.
3. Proper nutrition is the main principle of losing weight. Reduce the amount of simple carbohydrates, increase the amount of vegetables and fruits, lean meat and cottage cheese.
4. You can not refuse a full breakfast and lunch in favor of protein bars. You can replace them with a snack.
5. Before going to bed, it is not recommended to use bars in order not to gain weight.

Bars will really help you lose weight, but if you work on your nutrition, do not forget about the need to give up your favorite fast food and many other products.

Types of protein bars

There are several types of protein bars, differing in composition, taste and the presence of additives. To choose the right product, you need to carefully study its composition and features of the reception.

High protein bars

The difference between these bars is a large amount of protein in the composition. Carbohydrates in the form of sugar are absent or contained in a small volume. Protein bars are considered dietary and are great for those who are actively involved in sports. Available in different flavors, it is possible to choose a healthy and tasty dessert.

Cereal bars

The basis is cereals and cereals. Dried fruits, berries, spices are added to improve the taste. Cereal bars are great for weight loss as long as they don’t contain sweeteners.

Energy bars

The main purpose of such bars is to provide the body with energy, which is especially important for athletes. But it is not recommended to use them for weight loss due to the high calorie content and the content of a large amount of carbohydrates.

Bars with L-carnitine

L-carnitine is a vitamin-like substance that converts fat into energy. But it only works during exercise. If you are actively involved in sports, then bars with L-carnitine are perfect as a snack. They will give you a feeling of fullness, speed up your metabolism, give you a boost of energy and help you lose those extra pounds.

And do not forget about the measure – no more than 2 bars per day. Consume them after hard physical work, training, or as an afternoon snack.

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Articles – ACADEMY-T

Protein bars is a sports nutrition option in a form convenient for transportation and storage. Their purpose is to provide a quick supply of nutrients to the body at a certain time after training to close the so-called “carbohydrate window”.

The value of sports bars is that they can be available at any time when an athlete needs a snack. Of course, they cannot replace good nutrition, but it is very useful to have on hand in case you can’t have lunch. They will also be useful to ordinary people who are far from sports, as they can satisfy hunger in an emergency, thus saving time and maintaining health.

Athletes for effective muscle growth need four times a full meal during the day, but the rhythm of the current life does not always allow it. In this case, there is no question why protein bars are still needed. If it is not possible to prepare a protein shake or a gainer, bars will come to the rescue. They are compact, do not require preparation, they are convenient to take with you. Bars are able to ensure the preservation and growth of muscle mass and give the body a decent energy source. They are also convenient to use immediately after a workout, when you need to urgently restore energy reserves.

How to use

Most often it is recommended to use bars:

• immediately after waking up in order to neutralize catabolic processes;
• minutes thirty after training to close the “carbohydrate window”;
• during the day if there is no opportunity to have lunch.

There are different types of bars. For those who want to lose weight, a product with L-carnitine is suitable. Fat burning bars also contain a vitamin and mineral complex and have a pleasant taste. They should be taken along with training, otherwise they will not give the desired effect.

High protein bars are available to provide the body with plenty of protein. This is the classic protein bar.

Also created high-carbohydrate bars. The effect of their use is akin to the action of a gainer. They can be taken before training or half an hour after it. You should not use such a product at night, especially with a tendency to form excessive body fat.

Benefits of Protein Bars

As already mentioned, protein bars are the perfect snack. Unlike what people usually eat between work (burgers, chocolates, cookies, yogurts and other foods of low biological value), bars:

• Compensate for the lack of proteins and carbohydrates;
• Made from high quality natural raw materials;
• Contains a minimum of fat;
• Enriched with minerals and vitamins, PUFA;
• Compact and easy to use;
• The packaging of the product makes it possible to store the protein bar for a long time even under relatively unfavorable conditions (high air temperature and ultraviolet light).