The Best & Worst Protein Bars

As their name suggests, protein bars contain a significant amount of protein.  They can be a a convenient small meal or snack, especially when you're on the go. Many protein bar manufacturers claim their bars can help you lose weight, build muscle and give you a much-needed energy boost.

Not only that, but protein bars can be a great substitution for vegetarians who should eat a variety of protein-containing foods each day. If you're a vegetarian, you know that you need to be conscious of what sources you are getting your protein from.

Vegetarian or not, you have to be careful. A lot of protein bars, or "nutrition" bars, can end up being more like candy bars, since they harbor stealth ingredients like hydrogenated oils, saturated fat, sugar, and sugar alcohols, and can be very high in calories. 

How can you tell if your bar is healthy or doing more harm than good?

Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen, MD, unwraps the health-food hype and lists the ingredients to look for, and shares the nutritionist-approved protein bar options.