By: Johnson McBrady
Submitted: 2009-04-12 19:42:24 | Word Count: 513
In today’s world of complex technologies, there is practically nothing that is left untouched by technology. From man’s everyday activities such as cooking, entertainment, and communications, all of these spheres were touched by technology. Another domain that was significantly altered by technology is man’s diet. Today, there is a lot of food available to man that underwent intensive research to provide him the highest level of minerals and nutrients, especially when there is a need for a particular nutrient.
Get that Extra Boost with Energy Bars
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For the more physically active individual, energy bars are the most important food especially when looking for something to provide them that extra boost to face the physically demanding challenges of the outdoors. And when outdoor activities demand a steady supply of readily consumable food to give one the energy needed, energy bars top the list.
Main Source of Energy
As the name implies, energy bars are mainly a source of food energy. Their composition is mainly of carbohydrates and protein along with other vitamins and minerals vital to the body. Some are added with flavoring to make them tastier. Most of them are sweet. On the other hand, they are made to be heat resistant to enable them to withstand the hot temperature commonly encountered in outdoor activities such as hiking or biking.
High in Calories
Energy bars are very high in calorie. The main sources of calories are fat, protein, or carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the key ingredients in energy bars, usually utilizing simple carbohydrates, which can be easily digested and broken down by the body. Utilizing simple carbohydrates takes less time to digest than complex carbohydrates, which takes longer to break down. Hence, simple carbohydrates are a ready source for energy.
Energy Bars without the Getting Bulky
For some who don’t want to gain weight but still get the energy needed, there are energy bars that contain fiber besides the carbohydrates and protein. The role of fiber is to add bulk without the additional calories and slows down the absorption of glucose. In using fiber, particularly insoluble fiber, absorption is slowed down, but the person will not be craving for more, as the fiber in the energy bar satiates the appetite.
Energy Bars Versus Energy Drinks
Energy bars are facing competition from another food group whose purpose parallels that of energy bars, the energy drinks. The main difference between the two is that energy bars provide a sustained and high concentration of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to provide the active body the fuel it needs in order to keep it functioning at the optimum level continuously. On the other hand, energy drinks work mainly by stimulating metabolic action through the use of B complex vitamins and stimulation of the central nervous system through caffeine. Thus, energy drinks enable the body to burn fuel faster while energy bars provide huge amounts of fuel for the body but do not include stimulation of metabolic action on its agenda.
Log on to Mountain Valley Sports for the best tasting energy bars on the Internet.
