High Protein and 'Added Protein' Foods

[Rowls]

These kind of foods with added protein or "high protein" have been popping up everywhere recently.

They're everywhere in the supermarkets. You can even get Mars bars with added protein.

One of my youtube subscriptions came up with a video about these added protein bars and it sounds like these bars and 'added protein' products are a waste of time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lffbi2yhPxo

What do others think about these products?

[DanH90]

Just full of sugar. Better to get your protein from normal sources eggs, meat, beans etc.

[Dark Cloud]

It's the new sales gimmick/buzz word. Follows on from "healthy" , "low sugar", "pre biotic", "no added sugar", "sustainably sourced", "nutritional" (there's loads!) Means nowt, but great sales trick.
A Snickers bar is loaded with peanuts. Peanuts are loaded with protein. Eat loads of Snickers bars to look after your health. Maybe not! Things high in protein aren't necessarily good for you, depending on what else they're selling you.

[Tall Paul]

Whose time are they wasting?

[Goliath]

It's basically for those 'bulk gainers' who just want to eat a ridiculous amount of calories per day

[Clovius Boofus]

Milk, chicken, eggs. All three of those are reasonably cheap and way healthier than a bar of nuts and sugar.

[Goliath]

Milk, chicken, eggs. All three of those are reasonably cheap and way healthier than a bar of nuts and sugar.

But far less convenient.

[Hipper]

I've seen high protein bars about for some years I think. I don't recall seeing the idea used to sell a lump of sugar and fat though. Interesting marketing. Perhaps it anticipates a sugar tax.

What do I think? If something is added it means it's not natural and therefore I'm wary.

Just compared an original Mars with a Mars Protein bar per 100g:

Mars Energy 442cal Fat 16g Sugar 41g Protein 4.5g

Mars Protein Energy 378cal Fat 11g Sugar 35g Protein 20g

[Benson]

Just full of sugar. Better to get your protein from normal sources eggs, meat, beans etc.

Gammon ?

[Rowls]

Whose time are they wasting?

The people who eat them believing in any health benefits?

[Tall Paul]

The people who eat them believing in any health benefits?

Does it take longer to eat high protein food than other food?

[pompeyclaret]

Marketing mostly. Some are different, but others are virtually the same. Also normally means more sugar/ negatives to artificially increase the protein.

[DanH90]

Gammon ?

Too much salt in that Manuel.

[Rowls]

Does it take longer to eat high protein food than other food?

No. It's the implied health benefits to which these product purport that is under question. Not how quickly they can be eaten.

These products are not sold under the premise that they are "quicker to eat" than whole food, they're being sold with vaguely implied health benefits. If somebody buys them on the basis on any implied health benefits, the potential waste of time comes from the fact that the implied health benefits are (according to the scientist in the podcast) non-existent.

Happy to clear this up for you.

[BigGaz]

They're targeted at people like me. I aim to eat 180g of Protein per day which is about right for my weight and body composition goals.

There is a large amount of marketing associated with some of them where the product is sadly lacking or as others have pointed out, just replaced some of the content but with crap. However, some of it is useful and the headline grabber is that for example this bagel with 12g of protein is going to get you nearer to your goals than the wholemeal bread with 7gb or whatever, or "if you're going to have a chocolate bar, how about replacing it with this carbkilla with 22gb protein instead'

As someone who loves bread and chocolate they're a great tool to have when I want to indulge but don't want to wreck my macros or calorie allowance for the day.

Kids don't drink like we used to, they're more interested in men's health magazine and getting hench. These products are for them.

[Tall Paul]

No. It's the implied health benefits to which these product purport that is under question. Not how quickly they can be eaten.

These products are not sold under the premise that they are "quicker to eat" than whole food, they're being sold with vaguely implied health benefits. If somebody buys them on the basis on any implied health benefits, the potential waste of time comes from the fact that the implied health benefits are (according to the scientist in the podcast) non-existent.

Happy to clear this up for you.

If they're not eating high protein food, they're eating something else so how is it wasting their time?

[Rowls]

If they're not eating high protein food, they're eating something else so how is it wasting their time?

Hello again Tall Paul. Thank you for another interesting question. I suppose the correct answer is, "Well it all depends, doesn't it?"

Perhaps it's an ecumenical matter?

If they're eating something else, then hopefully they're eating something cooked from scratch, using whole foods. That's what's best for our health and our wallets.

[Tall Paul]

Hello again Tall Paul. Thank you for another interesting question. I suppose the correct answer is, "Well it all depends, doesn't it?"

Perhaps it's an ecumenical matter?

If they're eating something else, then hopefully they're eating something cooked from scratch, using whole foods. That's what's best for our health and our wallets.

That sounds like the opposite of a waste of time then.

[groove]

I don't think this is a difficult one to understand. Protein is essential for muscle gains and the amount of protein is clearly shown on the packaging. I'm sure lots of food manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon but I don't see how it can be a marketing scam.

[Rowls]

That sounds like the opposite of a waste of time then.

Well, yes. That's my point. Eat whole foods and make time to cook from scratch.

[Tall Paul]

Your original point was that they're a waste of time. You haven't explained how eating them wastes anybody's time. If the alternative is cooking something from scratch it would be saving time, not wasting it.

[Rowls]

I don't think this is a difficult one to understand. Protein is essential for muscle gains and the amount of protein is clearly shown on the packaging. I'm sure lots of food manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon but I don't see how it can be a marketing scam.

There's a difference between an overt lie and making inferences which are mis-leading.

Your use of the word 'scam' is the first instance of this word on the thread.

There's a poster who's posted good reasons why he likes these products. That's fair enough and he's spelled out his arguments well. I disagree with his reasoning, but that's fine.

The problem that the nutritionist in the pointed out is that the average western diet is already very high in protein and the vast majority of people are getting far more protein than they need. Protein is relatively expensive so if you're eating an average diet, you're likely to be getting more than you need already without forking out on highly processed food products that have small amounts of protein added into them.

Advice differs wildly depending where you're getting it from but an online site called the British Nutrition Foundation recommend for an average weight bloke (12 and a half stone) the average intake of protein is 67 grammess/day but the dietary requirement is only 56 grammes. To put this into context, an average skinless chicken breast will contain IRO 56 grammes of protein on it's own.

People who want to build muscle might find advice ranging from 1.5 -2 grammes of protein per kilogram of weight. So for example, if you weigh over 14 stones (90+ kg) and want to put on even more weight by building muscle, you'd need to aim to eat between 135-180 grammes of protein per day.

[Rowls]

Your original point was that they're a waste of time. You haven't explained how eating them wastes anybody's time. If the alternative is cooking something from scratch it would be saving time, not wasting it.

Yes, it has been explained. You must have missed it or not understood.

If you're expecting to receive any kind of implied health benefit from eating the product you'll most likely be disappointed. The chances are you're already in surplus when it comes to your body's protein requirements and the fact that these 'supplementary protein products' are nearly all ultra-high processed foodstuffs, the negatives will almost certainly outweight any benefits.

If your goal is to stay healthy, eating them is likely a waste of time because they're inherently unhealthy products high in fat/sugar.
If your goal is to build muscle or "get ripped" you're likely to be on the wrong track for the same reason.
If your goal is to try and stay full longer in order to lose weight, you're likely not going to achieve your goal because swapping, for example, regular chocolate bars for chocolate bars with protein in them, doesn't address the problem of eating junk food / UPF.

Some people have their reasons for eating them, that's fine.

I hope you understand this but if you're still confused, perhaps watch the video linked in the OP where the nutritionist sets out all of the reasons why these products are a waste of time.

All the best & hope you enjoy the video.

Rowls

[Tall Paul]

I'm aware of the dubious health benefits, but when the choice is between these foods and other food, which we've already established aren't any faster to eat or prepare, choosing the high protein option doesn't waste any time.

[Goalposts]

Depends on the type of protein….

Powder is generally awful tasting and for body bulkers

As an example Warbies protein or all plant based protein and one bagel is 8 grams of your daily requirement
Added benefit of high fibre. Top it with an egg and you’re just north of 21g. Recommendation is circa 45g for woman and 55g for men daily.

Plant based proteins generally have added benefits are almost zero fat and high vitamins…. Part of the growth of protein in product in other food product categories is generally associated with people eating less meat - the rise of vegans etc..

But its like anything eat healthily in balance and your generally good