Many nutritionists would agree; diet bars simply are not worth the money or the time. If you need to carry a snack with you in your bag, than bars can be a good way to go.
But in terms of replacing meals, they really don't measure up. If you are constantly scarfing down bars or shakes, you are not getting enough healthy foods that are packed with the nutrients you need. Instead of using bars as meal replacement, it is better to learn which natural foods will fill you up and keep you satisfied longer.
Fruits and vegetables tend to be a good choice, as are nuts and whole grain products. Lean meats, such as chicken, turkey, and beef are also good choices, as is fish.
The point is that bars can be beneficial if you use them as snacks instead of junk food, which only provide empty calories, but they should not be the mainstay of your diet.
Goodness knows there are tons of diet bars to choose from when you walk down the diet isle in the grocery store or at the pharmacy.
How do you know which ones are good for you and which are not? Well, in general, diet bars are meant to replace meals, or act as a snack in-between meals. There are low carb bars, as well as bars that contain equal equal amounts of carbs and proteins.
Some diet bars have few calories, while others are actually loaded with calories. It can be difficult to discern which diet foods in the diet isle are worth their weight, and which should be taken off the shelves completely.
Some of these bars offer little nutritional value, and some taste so horrible that it's hard to get them down even if they do contain vitamins and minerals.