Clean Eating Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are protein bars clean eating? ›

Not all protein bars adhere to clean eating principles. An easy way to identify clean protein bars is to check out the ingredient list. In general, clean foods will contain a list of natural ingredients you're familiar with. In many cases, these will be identified as organic, too.

Simply toss pumpkin seed powder into a smoothie or shake. You can also add it to yogurt, hot cereal or oatmeal, salad dressings, and soups.

They're Filled with Sweeteners

Most low sugar or zero sugar protein bars contain artificial sweeteners such as maltitol or Xylitol.

A closer look at the ingredients and sugar levels in some of these bars can make you question whether they're a good idea to eat every day. While there's no problem with the occasional sugary snack or 'unhealthy' treat, eating certain types of protein bars every day might be problematic long term.

Pumpkin seed protein has 1 advantage over other plant-based options, dietitians say. This plant-based protein source is especially high in omega-3s, antioxidants and magnesium.

In addition, the protein in pumpkin seeds is a high-quality protein, like soy protein, that has all your essential amino acids. Pumpkin seeds are also an excellent or good source of the following minerals: Phosphorous. Potassium.

Pumpkin-seed protein could be an excellent source of high-quality protein. It contains all the essential amino acids you need, making it a fantastic alternative to meat-based protein sources.

A good bar shouldn't have any trans fats and should be low in saturated fats (less than three grams per serving). Oils. Avoid any bars with palm oil or kernel oil (often included in bars coated with chocolate) Sugar.

What happens if you only eat protein bars? ›

While protein bars have a time and place and can be helpful for many reasons, they can also inadvertently become a crutch for convenience. Relying too heavily on protein bars as meal replacements can lead to not eating whole foods at mealtimes and potential nutrient imbalances.

Protein bars are best consumed before workout, after workout, or during long cardio sessions, like hiking or running. The most beneficial time to eat a protein bar is 30-60 minutes after workout to help boost muscle recovery and growth and refill your energy.

Pumpkin puree is made by steaming and pureeing squash so there are no added ingredients. Is canned pumpkin cooked? Yes, it's already been cooked via steaming. It's safe to eat canned pumpkin straight from the can, but it's infinitely better baked into a pan of pumpkin bars.

Pumpkin is rich in fiber and contains prebiotics, which can help improve digestive system health and bowel movement. It may help relieve constipation and diarrhea in some people.

The answer is absolutely yes. Canned pumpkin does not need to be cooked before eating. It is perfectly safe eaten in it's puree form out of the can, in fact it's used straight from the can in a lot of recipes that aren't cooked. It's also safe to give to your dog right out of the can too to help with digestive issues.

Some examples of ultra-processed foods include packaged cookies, frozen entrees, protein bars, and flavored chips. “Most of the foods we eat every day are processed to some degree, but ultra-processed foods take things a step further,” Garone said.

Watch that you don't let yourself count on protein bars too regularly for a meal replacement. This can lead to the risk of poor eating habits and not getting enough whole foods which can result in nutrient deficiencies or imbalances.

Despite the advertising, though, nutrition experts say that protein bars aren't all that healthy. “You can put 'keto' or 'protein' on a candy bar and sell it, and people don't even question it,” said Janet Chrzan, an adjunct assistant professor of nutritional anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kathy: When we talk about clean protein, we're talking about three things: Mostly we're talking about whole plant foods like beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. And then we're also talking about plant-based meat, meat made from plants, like what Tofurky, Beyond Meat, and Impossible Foods are doing.