Nutrition Bars, Shakes

Nutrition bars and shakes are popular food supplements used by health- and weight-conscious people. Brands including Atkins, EAS, Met-Rx and more purportedly offer healthy, tasty, and inexpensive solutions for those looking for high-nutrient meal replacements and snacks. You don't have to be on an exercise regiment to enjoy these nutrition bars and shakes, but they can prove beneficial to those who are.

Atkins, the popular low-carb diet system, offers convenient nutrition bars that provide important nutrients. Advantage Atkins Bars are low in carbohydrates (2.5 grams) but higher in calories (240) than other competitors' bars (typically under 200 calories). EAS bars are called Myoplex and AdvantEdge. These nutritional bars have a lower caloric count (200-210), but higher carbs (25-28 grams), so those following the Atkins diet will want to avoid these.

Met-Rx also offers nutrition bars with health-conscious nutrients and vitamins. Big 100 and Protein Plus bars are quite popular with body builders and weight lifters due to their high protein content. High in carbs and calories (the Chocolate Chunk bar has 29 grams of carbs and 320 calories), these bars are often used by those looking to pack on muscle weight.

Protein Shakes
Ready-to-drink proteins shakes (RTDs) are available from Atkins, Met-Rx, and EAS. Atkins shakes boast one to two grams of net carbs and at least 20 grams of protein, which makes them ideal for meal replacement on the Atkins system. Met-Rx offers numerous RTDs that are packed with protein, on average 40 grams per serving. These shakes are costly, though. EAS, like Met-Rx, targets muscle building, and their shakes boast the most protein (42 grams) and the highest price.