As most people know, Quest bars are one of my favorite protein bars. Last month, I wrote about the newest cereal bars as well as getting more protein as a runner.
Recently Target has started carrying Quest Bars too. Since I spend a good amount of time shopping at Target (there is one less than a mile from my house, so it’s an easy stop), this makes it even easier to pick up one of my favorite snacks.
As I mentioned, I’m not running now. This means I’m burning fewer calories and while I don’t mind gaining weight, I would prefer not too. Lately, I’ve found I don’t have a terrible diet, by any means, but I also try to choose healthier options.
One reason I like Quest Bars is that they are healthier snacks while I’m on the go. They are filling and contain both protein and fiber. Both are something I could benefit from having more of!
Here are some quick stats of the Quest Protein Bars:
Quest Bars Soy Free, Gluten Free, and Vegetarian-Friendly.
Each bar contains: 20g+ Protein, 4-7 Net Carbs, 170-210 Calories, 13-15g Fiber, No added sugar.
Another thing that has been important to me is reducing the artificial sweeteners as well as pure sugar in my diet.
It’s not a secret I do like my coffee with whipped cream, but I have been trying to clean up my diet by reducing both sugar and artificial sweetener.
Do I treat myself? Of course, but do I have dessert every day? No, probably not.
I like that Quest bars have less sugar as well as artificial sweetener. Depending on the bar they use Sucralose, Stevia, and Erythritol.
Personally, I’ve never had stomach issues, but I do many people have found reduced stomach issues with these types of sweeteners.
Quest Bars actually got me doing some personal research on fiber and the different types.
What are the differences?
While I knew there were two different types of fiber (soluble and insoluble), I never knew the differences and what each type specifically did and helped.
Soluble vs NonSoluable:
Easy enough, soluble fiber is soluble, which means it dissolves in water. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water.
Soluble Fiber Benefits:
Linked to lowering:
- LDL (bad) cholesterol
- regulating blood sugar
- Lower risk of heart disease
- Lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Insoluble Fiber Benefits:
- Helps keep you regular and prevents constipation
How much Fiber Should You Be Getting? Current guidelines, advise between 25-35 grams per day.
Finally having too much fiber can be a problem too and can cause all of the following:
- Malabsorption: This is critical for runners because it can cause your body to not absorb the following: calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Each plays a crucial role for athletes to stay healthy.
- Diarrhea or Constipation
Fiber is an essential nutrient, runners or nonrunners need. Thank you again, Quest for supporting LOLZblog and helping me learn a few things. I hope you did too!
Questions for you:
Do you get enough fiber in your diet?
Have you tried Quest Bars before?
I like Quest bars a lot, but I wish in general there were nutrition bars that weren’t sweet. As a person who is often doing 4+ hours on long runs or tri-training, I get SO SICK of sweetness. I’ve discovered some bars that are made of meat and I love them for like, mile 18 when sugar makes me want to upchuck.
hi – just fyi, when i was dong long runs, marathons, etc. i also got super sick of sweetness at the end. i’d start out eating the sweet bars, gus and feel okay. i started bringing a bag of pretzels and nuts with salt for the end parts of runs/races and it helped!
I have tried quest bars and like them a lot. i was getting super anti-dairy after getting brain-washed by some things. after reading matt fitzgerald’s book on endurance diets, it has made me feel much better about eating EVERYTHING. it is quite liberating. nice post Hollie! I like your approach to nutrition.
I love Quest bars!!!! They are so yummy!!!
I had a Quest bar for breakfast today. It was Cookies and Cream. Typically I have a high protein/high fiber bar for breakfast every single morning, and they don’t bother me when I run (although I guess that might be a concern for some people, your mileage may vary literally). My favorite flavors are cookies and cream, chocolate chip cookie dough, and that new oatmeal chocolate chip one. I do switch it up and have Oh Yeah ONE bars or FitJoy bars too though (macros aren’t quite as good on those- not as much fiber and a bit more sugar). I did notice that Target carries Quest now and so does Walmart- I’m glad they are in more stores now because it’s convenient after a workout. I remember when they were much harder to find and even GNC couldn’t keep them in stock.
I have never tried Quest before. I’ll give them a try.