Buzz
The Gatorade Whey Protein Bar offers 20 grams of protein, making it an attractive choice for athletes and those looking to increase their protein intake. However, the bar also packs 28 grams of sugar and 30% more calories than a Snickers. It’s a perfect example of clever marketing wrapped in a health halo, disguising an otherwise unhealthy snack.
Whey protein is a proven way to boost your protein intake, and Gatorade capitalizes on this by prominently displaying “20g protein” on the packaging. To further emphasize its appeal, the bar features logos from top sports leagues like the NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB. Clearly, athletes are part of their target audience. Let's compare the nutrition of a Snickers bar to the Gatorade protein bar:
Snickers // Gatorade Whey Protein Bar
270 calories // 350 calories
14g fat // 12g fat
4.5g saturated fats // 10g saturated fats (!!!)
29g sugar // 28g sugar
4g protein // 20g protein
Gatorade’s website claims the bar aids muscle recovery due to its whey protein (a good source) and high carb content. However, a closer look reveals that many of the ingredients are simply different forms of fat and sugar. In fact, cane syrup, palm kernel, and palm oil are the first three listed ingredients. As Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Ottawa, points out, “Kids don’t stand a chance.” The marketing, sports endorsements, and strong brand image merely mask the truth: the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar is, at the end of the day, just a glorified chocolate bar.
Sugar isn't the worst thing in the world. A lot of us already consume too many empty calories from added sugar (and the excess fats that often come with sugary foods), which makes it harder to incorporate more nutritious meals into our daily calorie intake.
Even if you claim you're active enough to need the extra calories and that your sugar intake is minimal (but is it really?), it's simply not worth the sugars, fats, and calories in a single bar. Plus, you'll likely find yourself hungry again soon after. While the 20 grams of protein is impressive, there are healthier alternatives such as Quest Bars if you're looking for protein bars, a homemade protein shake, or these post-workout popsicles.
Image by JD Hancock.
