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Protein bars are an increasingly popular choice among people hoping for a quick meal replacement or a way to supplement their protein intake.  The market offers a wide selection of bars of every size, flavor, and nutritional profile.  We’ll evaluate two popular brands here: Kind protein bars and Healthy Truth protein bars.  Read on to find out which product best suits your needs.  

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Kind protein bars vs Heathy Truth protein bars:

Concerning oil

Starting off with the flashy ingredients, it is important to talk about the oils found in both bars. While both bars contain oil, there are some major differences in the type and health benefits. Typically, when picking out healthy food options, it is common to avoid anything containing oil. Furthermore, it’s hard not to think of the oil of doom, found in the bottom of a fast food fryer; but all is not lost, not all oil is bad, and it can be very beneficial.

Kind Protein bars contain palm kernel oil (not to be confused with palm oil) that is extracted from seeds. Since palm kernel oil is extracted from seeds, it cannot be certified organic. Palm kernel oil is about 80% saturated fats. While it does not contain very unhealthy trans fat (which is increasingly being banned from foods), it does contain saturated fat. The high saturated fat content in our diets has been linked to the increasing level of people suffering from heart-disease-related issues.

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Truth protein bars also contain oil; however, every bar is made with MCT oil, extracted from coconut oil. Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) is made of medium-length chains of fats (triglycerides). Since they are smaller in length, they are easier to digest. MCT oil has been linked to weight loss and promotes the feeling of fullness.

According to doctors, oils in general should be eaten sparingly and can be part of a healthy diet; however, if you are planning to use a protein bar as a meal replacement, it helps to be mindful of the amount of highly saturated oil you are consuming.

Kind Protein Bars vs Healthy Truth Protein Bars is an original (HealthXWire) article.

Kind protein bars vs Heathy Truth protein bars:

Concerning sugar

Love it or really love it, it is pretty hard to make anything taste good without some sort of sweetening agent. The sugars you are most likely to encounter are sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Now they all have the same number of calories per gram, but their differences in molecular makeup change how your body reacts to them.

Sucrose, in the common term, is table sugar and can be found naturally in fruits and vegetables. It is roughly 50% glucose and 50% fructose. Glucose is your body’s preferred energy source since it is absorbed and processed so quickly. It is often added to processed foods, and in the Kind Protein bar it is added in the form of glucose syrup.  It is important to note “glucose syrup,” since glucose isn’t terribly sweet on its own, and it is commonly made from corn or wheat.

Lastly, fructose is found naturally in fruits, honey, and agave. It can also become highly processed in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, but in regards to Healthy Truth Protein bars, the sweetness in the bar comes naturally from dates.

It is always recommended to avoid added sugar in any foods, especially when trying to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. The FDA suggests only allocating 10 percent of daily calories to added sugars. Sugar from fruit is not associated with the same harmful effects as added sugars, which can lead to a multitude of metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes. Adding dates for sweetness boosts each Healthy Truth bar with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Kind Protein Bars vs Heathy Truth Protein Bars:

Concerning the bulk of the bar (raw materials)

Healthy truth bars founder Bruce Namenson states, “No preservatives, no fillers, no chemicals, no natural flavors, and 100% whole food products.”

A breakdown of ingredients found in the Organic Sprouted Plant-Based Protein Bars:

• Dates*, Coconut Nectar*, Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds (soaked & dried)*, Sprouted Cashews*, Pea Protein Powder*, Sacha Inchi Protein Powder*, Cacao Powder*, Oats*, MCT Oil, Ground Flaxseed*, Coconut Shreds*, Cacao Nibs*

* Indicates organic ingredient

There is promising research that supports the idea that sprouted seeds and grains have a multitude of health benefits due to the breakdown of starch in the germinating process that increases the nutritional value. These are also great options for people who have trouble digesting grains, and you get the added benefits of zinc, iron, vitamin C, and protein.

Namenson explains, “Think of raw on one end of the spectrum, roasted on the opposite end, and sprouted in the middle, which is the optimal way to eat nuts and seeds, and even grains.”

In comparison, the breakdown of ingredients in the Kind Protein Bars is:

• Peanuts, chicory root fiber, soy protein isolate, honey, glucose syrup, palm kernel oil, sugar, peanut flour, peanut butter (peanuts, sea salt), nonfat milk powder, sea salt, soy lecithin, peanut oil.

The Kind Protein Bar contains few super-packed nutritious ingredients, but it does contain chicory root fiber, which is high in prebiotic fiber inulin (which promotes healthy digestion).

Kind protein bars vs Heathy Truth protein bars:

Concerning calories

Calories seem to creep their way into every conversation about health, especially in the protein bar world. Technically speaking, no food or drink is really zero calories, and it is important to keep in mind that even if something is considered healthy, it can still be high in calories. In conclusion, any type of meal replacement or dietary supplement bar should be viewed as a treat. Even healthy calories are still calories.

However, even treats don’t have to be bad for you, and since the calorie count is pretty comparable in both bars, we will always reach for the Healthy Truth bar. Packed with nutritious sprouted grains and completely empty of unhealthy added sugars, Healthy Truth protein bars are definitely a great addition to anyone’s busy routine.

Further Reading:

The Bulletin of the World Health Organization: The palm oil industry and non-communicable diseases

Healthline:  7 Science-Based Benefits of MCT oil

Harvard Health Publishing: Are sprouted grains more nutritious than regular whole grains?

Important Note: The information contained in this article (Kind Protein Bars vs Healthy Truth Protein Bars) is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.

Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.