Do you like snacks? Eating smaller meals more frequently is recommended to help keep hunger at bay. I was raised eating three meals a day and while I may have had an afterschool snack or a bedtime snack, a ritual started when we were young by my late grandmother, the majority of our nutrition and calories came from those three meals. There is nothing wrong with eating that way, however, in today’s increasingly busy society, many people find that eating smaller, more frequent meals is the best way to get through the day.
I am not going to lie, I don’t like change, so adapting a new way of eating rattles me to the core. With the crazy schedule that I have had lately, I have found it is much easier to eat five smaller meals as opposed to sitting down to a larger lunch. I have been running/working out mid-morning which requires a substantial snack to refuel. This also means that I am not hungry at my “traditional” lunch time. I have been eating a later, smaller lunch and then grabbing a snack later in the afternoon to hold me over until dinner.
When choosing snacks, it is important to check out the nutritional make-up of what you are eating, just like any other meal. If you don’t have a healthy balance of protein, carbs and fat, you will probably find yourself unsatisfied and scrounging for something to eat long before your next meal. One of my favorite, well-balanced snacks is the Luna protein bar. The Luna protein bar is easy to stash in your purse or gym bag, though it will melt in the heat, for a quick post workout or late afternoon snack.
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More about the Luna protein bar:
Each 1.6 oz (45g) LUNA Protein bar has around 170-190 calories with 12g protein and 3g fiber, along with essential nutrients women need. It is high in calcium and folic acid, and is a good source of vitamin D, iron, fiber and antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E). Each bar has 6-9g fat and 13-15g sugar depending on the flavor. It is free of trans fats, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup; artificial sweeteners, flavors or preservatives; and ingredients sourced from GMOs
At the beginning of 2011 we started to transition the entire LUNA Protein line to be gluten free. To do this, Clif Bar & Company has looked at all aspects of making our bars. Our ingredient suppliers have confirmed that all ingredients are gluten free, so they contain no gluten from wheat, rye or barely. Where we make our food is capable of making a gluten free food and we test our finished products to confirm that they are gluten free.
LUNA Protein is not a meal replacement bar or a diet bar. LUNA Protein is a delicious, nutritious and convenient snack that satisfies and curbs hunger between meals, and helps women more easily fit protein into their day.
The Luna protein bars come in five different flavors:
- Chocolate peanut butter
- Chocolate
- Cookie dough
- Chocolate cherry almond
- Mint chocolate chip
I like all of the Luna protein bars, but I think that the chocolate cherry almond is my favorite. They can be found in many mainstream grocery and health food stores across the US and online.
Are you a traditional eater – eating three square meals a day? Do you prefer to eat five smaller meals a day?
***Luna Protein Bars sent me the products mentioned in this post free of charge for review purposes. The thought and opinions that I have shared here are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.
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