Q: Do you recommend power bars?
A: Power bars are more popular today than ever. All of them promise energy, nutrition and taste. The answer to how they deliver those things can be found by reading the label.
These convenient snacks can give you a fiber and nutrient boost. Ideally, a bar will have at least 3 grams of fiber. Many contain two servings of fruit, and some healthy nuts. Some of the bars are fortified with nutrients and vitamins, so be cautious not to overdo it, especially if you are already taking vitamin supplements.
Some power bars taste good because they have loads of hidden sugar, making them more like a candy bar than their granola-based cousin. Sugar content should be less than 18 grams. Power bars often contain too much fat. Buy power bars with no trans fats or hydrogenated oils, and less than 3 grams of low saturated fats.
The biggest catch with power bars is their hidden calories — between 180 and 380 calories, depending on the brand, so the bar gives energy but typically is not a light snack.
The best competition for power bars is good old fresh fruits, vegetables and unprocessed nuts. Granola is good, but bananas are better.
Q: Do you recommend sports drinks and vitamin-enhanced water?
A: The market is flooded with enhanced sports drinks. It’s common knowledge that you need to stay hydrated, especially when exercising, but you don’t need a sports drink to do that.
Based on perceived benefit, Americans spent over $5.4 billion on sports drinks last year. Save your money: Sports drinks don’t hydrate better than water. They may help keep people more hydrated only because people are more likely to drink them due to their enticing sweet-tart taste.
Sports drinks do contain electrolytes which are lost from excessive perspiration, and they have fewer calories than juice or soft drinks. Most health experts agree that sports drinks have electrolytes and sodium that are beneficial to professional athletes and marathoners, but have less value for the average user.
In the contest of thirst quenchers, the clear winner is water. To satisfy a sugar craving, opt for all-natural juice like orange or apple that provides calories, energy and nutrients.
Many of the vitamin-enhanced waters contain only small amounts of essential nutrients, so I advise patients to get their nutrition from food.
I think of sports drinks essentially as soft drinks in sheep’s clothing. They may seem better, but the increased calories and sugar can detract from the benefits of exercise. For the person trying to control his or her weight, many sports drinks are counterproductive because they contain surplus sugar and calories.
Q: If I exercise daily, do I need more salt in my diet?
A: Not necessarily. Healthy adults should consume salt and water to replace the amount lost each day through sweat. A little salt is important for good health because it helps our bodies absorb many essential nutrients. But you don’t need to go out of your way to add salt to your diet because others tend to do it for you.
Salt, or sodium, is a staple on the tables of nearly every American home and restaurant. There’s sodium in packaged and prepared foods, and virtually all restaurant foods. Many people tend to forget about salt when they eat out.
For long-term good health, CMG doctors recommend that sodium intake be no greater than 2,200 milligrams per day. That’s less than one teaspoon.
E-mail questions to Camino Medical Group representative Cynthia Greaves at greavec@caminomedical.org.
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