I recently tried a couple of protein bars that aren't specifically marketed for athletes but rather people on low-carb diets. In general most of these products are very similar in nutritional balance but not in taste. Protein bars for athletes tend to have a higher carbohydrate content.

This week I started keeping a protein diary to see how much I'm consuming each day. So far it looks like my protein intake is too low for my needs as a cyclist. So one of the snacks I bring to work are these low-to-moderate carb protein bars.

Three of the snack bars I have tried lately:

Zone Perfect Fudge Graham flavor All-Natural Nutrition Bar, with 16 grams of protein, 210 calories and 21 grams of carbs. This rectangular shaped thing that is classified as 'food' tastes like a rotten dry cardboard box. Nothing will quench your appetite like eating a few bites of this thing. T

South Beach Diet Peanut Butter flavor High Protein Cereal Bar, with 15 gms of protein, 140 calories and 15 grams of carbs. This one's fairly edible, except at the end of the chewing phase, it has a weird aftertaste. It's a little too sweet, but generally tolerable. The texture is crunchy.

Detour Deluxe Whey Protein Energy Bar, Caramel Peanut flavor. This is more of a sports energy bar to be consumed during long workouts. It has 30 gm of protein, 310 calories and 25 grams of carbs. They claim that it is the first energy bar to taste like a candy bar. It does have that smooth candy-bar texture, though it is a little more firm in the center. Again, like most high protein bars, the aftertaste is a little strange.

I still prefer the old stand-by for long workouts: PowerBar Performance. They don't taste that great, but they don't melt in the heat. Protein content is a little lower (10 gms), which is good for digestability while on the bike. Carbs are higher (45 grams) for extra energy to burn when it's most needed.

But the South Beach Diet bars are perfect for snacking on at work; they're low in calories and carbs, and high in protein.