The Atkins Weight loss program is a well-liked low-carb consuming plan that helps some individuals shed extra physique weight.
Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., which was based by the weight loss plan’s creator, presents low-carb consuming plans and sells numerous Atkins-approved meals and drinks, together with low-carb meal and snack bars.
Whereas grabbing a low-carb bar is handy once you want a fast Atkins-approved meal or snack, you might ponder whether Atkins bars are wholesome.
This text examines the components and dietary content material of Atkins low-carb bars so you may resolve if they need to be part of your weight loss plan.
What are Atkins low-carb bars?
Atkins Nutritionals producers meal and snack bars which can be marketed to these following low-carb diets just like the Atkins Weight loss program.
The meal bars are increased in energy and protein and meant to exchange a lightweight meal, whereas the snack bars are barely decrease in energy and protein.
For instance, the Atkins Chocolate Crisp snack bar incorporates 140 energy and 10 grams of protein, whereas the Chocolate Peanut Butter meal bar presents 250 energy and 16 grams of protein (1, 2).
All Atkins bars are low in carbs, offering 2–4 web carbs per bar relying on the variability. “Net carbs,” which is calculated by subtracting the full fiber and sugar alcohol content material from the full carb content material, refers back to the variety of carbs your physique absorbs from meals.
That stated, the time period isn’t acknowledged by the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, consultants argue that counting web carbs isn’t correct on account of particular person digestive responses and the various kinds of fiber and sugar alcohols utilized in processed meals (3).
Regardless, that is how followers of the Atkins weight loss plan are taught to calculate their carb consumption.
Atkins bars vitamin
The dietary content material of Atkins bars varies relying on the variability, as each Atkins meal and snack bars are available an array of attractive flavors, equivalent to White Chocolate Macadamia Nut and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
Beneath is the dietary breakdown for the Atkins Cookies & Crème meal bar and Atkins Caramel Chocolate Peanut Nougat snack bar (4, 5).
The bars should not solely excessive in nutritional vitamins A and C but additionally B nutritional vitamins, vitamin Ok, magnesium, and zinc, because of a vitamin and mineral mix that’s added throughout processing.
They’re additionally low in energy and carbs, but excessive in satiating vitamins like protein, fiber, and fats.
Nevertheless, simply because these bars match right into a low-carb weight loss plan plan, they’re not essentially a wholesome meal or snack.
Not a wholesome alternative
Whereas the macronutrient content material of Atkins bars fits a low-carb plan just like the Atkins weight loss plan, they’re extremely processed and comprise components which will hurt your well being, together with unhealthy fat and synthetic sweeteners.
For instance, many Atkins bars comprise soybean or canola oil, that are vegetable oils which will negatively affect coronary heart and metabolic well being (6, 7, 8, 9, 10).
Moreover, to supply a candy, decadent style with out including energy or sugar, the producer provides sugar alcohols and synthetic sweeteners.
Though most individuals tolerate small quantities of sugar alcohols like maltitol, consuming meals excessive in these low-calorie sweeteners — together with Atkins bars — might trigger digestive points like diarrhea and fuel (11).
What’s extra, Atkins bars comprise zero-calorie, high-intensity synthetic sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-Ok), each of which have been related to damaging well being outcomes.
As an illustration, animal and test-tube research have proven that sucralose, which is 385–650 occasions sweeter than desk sugar, can disrupt intestine micro organism and enhance irritation in your physique (12, 13, 14).
Plus, a research in 15 wholesome adults discovered that consuming 200 mg of sucralose for 4 weeks led to decreased insulin sensitivity, which has been linked to circumstances like sort 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (15, 16).
Animal research have additionally proven that Ace-Ok consumption might alter intestine micro organism and have detrimental results in your mind and metabolic well being (17, 18).
Moreover, some Atkins bars comprise synthetic flavors and components, equivalent to carrageenan, that some individuals choose to keep away from.
Lastly, though Atkins meal bars are meant for use as a alternative for a lightweight meal, the bars comprise too few energy to suffice as a meal alternative for most individuals.
Easy whole-food options to Atkins bars
Whereas sometimes consuming an Atkins bar is unlikely to hurt your well being, you must restrict your consumption of any sort of processed meals.
Thankfully, there are numerous more healthy meal and snack choices for these following low-carb diets, they usually’re equally handy and moveable.
Selecting whole-food-based options to processed weight loss plan merchandise like Atkins bars improves your well being and boosts your nutrient consumption. Plus, making your personal meals and snacks can prevent cash.
Listed below are some low-carb, whole-food-based options to Atkins bars:
These are just a few examples of scrumptious and easy whole-food-based options to Atkins bars. You’ll find many extra on-line.
The underside line
Although the macronutrient profiles of Atkins bars match a low-carb weight loss plan, lots of the components in these decadent-tasting, low-carb treats should not wholesome.
The bars comprise doubtlessly problematic components, equivalent to high-intensity sweeteners, unhealthy fat, and different components.
Thankfully, it’s straightforward to organize your personal nutritious, low-carb meals and snacks at residence as a substitute.
Whether or not you crave one thing candy or savory, make a wholesome, well-rounded snack utilizing complete meals earlier than reaching for an Atkins bar.
– “is atkins protein shake healthy”
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