The Great Fake Out - Protein Shakes and Bars

by Kris Pitcher

Sure, there's a time and place for replacement foods, but just how much fake food are you eating? There are a few categories here, but I'm most interested in bars and shakes. Let's start there.

Mmm! "Protein" Candy!!!

There are reasons to use replacement foods. Especially if you are training hard, and dieting - or let's just say eating healthfully. Managing your macro nutrients means deliberation when it comes to nutrient timing. Replacement should be all about nutrient timing.

Just before you tuck in for the night you want a long lasting, slow digesting protein to get you through. A casein mix is a nice blend and will do the job. First thing in the morning, after you've slept for eight blissful hours, you need quick fuel. A whey isolate is a nice fast absorbing replacement to get your system going.

We can see the application for replacement in these situations. But what about bars? There are few bars on the market that aren't just candy bars in health food clothing. Put your candy bars away if you're working toward any kind of weight loss or management goal. It's candy. Unless you are stuck on the tarmac and it's the last and final resort...forget it.

Now, I know people who have shakes and bars all day long. They have literally replaced all their whole, real food with the great fake out. It's a fallacy that it's easier to manage, that they can count their calories, or that it's some kind of "plan". What it is is a multi-billion dollar industry they are feeding into.

Take a look at your macro nutrient plan. How much are you supplementing with replacement drinks and bars? Are you using them at times where it makes sense for nutrient timing, or because it's just easier than carrying your cooler?

I'm a fan of real food. You could probably tell that. I use replacement shakes a couple of times during the day when it makes sense. It makes sense first thing in the morning, and following my weight workout. The rest of the time, it's real food for me. You won't find me buying into the great fake out!

Want to get lean, lose fat, gain muscle and look great - eat your food!