But watch out. For a quick snack, you're better off with an apple, a handful of grape tomatoes, or some other fruit or vegetable that fills you up with fewer calories. They've got names like Ultimate Lo Carb, Met-Rx Protein Plus, Promax, Protein Fuel, Protein Revolution, Pure Protein, Solid Protein, and Steel. But that doesn't mean that people need protein bars. The bars are more expensive and it's just food protein they put in there.
People are surprised to hear that.
Take Met-Rx's blend, which is called metamyosyn. Two published studies have tested its impact in healthy people in exercise programs. One found that overweight policemen gained more muscle mass and strength on metamyosyn than they did on another protein supplement, but the measurements were outdated and inexact. Yes, you do get calories from these bars. You also get the same vitamins and minerals that you'd find in a vitamin pill.