Iced Tea and Protein Bars

[Gregg]

I just wanted to get some opinions from the Nutrition gurus. I live in Texas and iced tea is a way of life. I have researched it well and as long as you make sure you get iced tea with NO sweetener, does anyone have any specific advice with this? Is this a no-no too?

Protein bars. I could not find the bars that Dave talks about (Larramar or something) in the stores. Most of the bars I can find are about 200cal and have about 19g of protein but also have about 17g of carbs, most of those are complex, usually 2 to 3g of simple sugars. Anyone have any specific recs on these bars?

Gregg

[Gregg]

Ok, through some research, I answered the tea question myself. Tea is acidic, although it is not as acidic as things like carbonated beverages (including diet), it is still slightly acidic. Iced tea is usually diluted normal tea. So I guess its not as good as water, but if you drink a highly diluted iced tea with no sweetener, its not nearly as bad as the other beverages. I was going to ask a question about the Sobe drinks that I have grown to love, but my guess is they are acidic too.

[scourtney7]

Larabars....hmm not sure why you can't find them. They are not high in protein but they are natural and that is why they are good. As far as protein bars, it really depends on your goals and your current needs. I know that I am in the minority around here but I do eat protein bars (not every day). When looking for protein bars, I try to find one that meets the following criteria....200 to 250 cal, less than 20 gms of sugar, and minimal fat (particularly saturated fat) as well as at least 15 grams of protein (at minimum). These are Tony Horton's specifications, not mine. I know that these bars are processed and it is best to stay away from processed foods but I am active enough and honestly if I don't eat them I am deficient of calories. That is why I say it depends on your goals and your current needs.....As far as bars I eat and that I'd recommend....

Zone Perfect bars are my top choice. After that, I buy EAS Carb Smart Myoplex bars, and Pure Protein (on occasion). As I stated earlier, many people may disagree with my choice but it works for me and it has not detracted from my own success or performance so.....take it for what it's worth. I do my best to follow the nutrition plan guidelines and to eat as much whole, natural foods as possible throughout the day so that when I do eat these protein bars I know that I have hit the nutrient goals for the rest of the day and I do not have to worry. In the end, it's not as much about perfection as it is about finding the things/foods that work best for you. Hope that helps....

Shannon

[Gregg]

Ok, so I am becoming a changed man. Even as a physician, its amazing how many sound principles of nutrition I had forgotten, ignored or never learned. I watched the video on "why diet soft drinks are bad for you" on you tube with my mouth on the floor. I LOVE iced tea. I have really been trying to find an answer for the pH of iced tea. It seems to range widely based on concentrated black teas to dilute green/herbal teas.

Basically, today I am going to get a unsweet tea from one of my favorite places and get some pH strips from my pool stuff and test it. I will let you guys know what I find.

[Sterling]

I like the P90X Choc/PB bars and Detour (original peanut and caramel). I don't indulge often, but I have both in my pantry and fridge right now. If you have to have a protein bar, I'd stick with those. Avoid the crappy bars with artificial flavoring.

[FitRunner]

I drink a lot of tea and always have. Never sweetened though and nearly always hot. I live in the South now and I often regret not wearing a shirt saying "NO ADDED SUGAR PLEASE" when I order drinks in a cafe or restaurant.

I'm not worried about the effect of any sort of tea on the stomach, and I'll admit that's because it's an emotionally "safe" drink for me - I can't imagine that something so soothing that's part of family and social (at least in some of the places I've lived) life is bad for you. And no, that's nowhere close to meaning it's true :) However, I've got SOMETHING to back it up with - some drinks really mess with my system if I have a lot of them. Most notably soda. (And tequila but that may be for another reason. :D) Tea is not one. I can drink five cups of tea a day and my stomach is right as rain.

Good luck with avoiding the sweet tea!

Teresa

[scourtney7]

Fitrunner - "Would you like something in your coffee?" LOL! We need a long run Sunday to send you off!! I will miss you girl!!

[Gregg]

By the way... the pH of my iced tea was 6.2. I am willing to accept that for habit LOL.

[shaycorl]

You can find different brands and kinds of protein bars in near by gnc store. As i mentioned in a previous post I used to eat and then i had some terrible experience and went back to home juice and milk shake.

[FitRunner]

Fitrunner - "Would you like something in your coffee?" LOL! We need a long run Sunday to send you off!! I will miss you girl!!

Yeah, exactly.

I think I screwed up the goodbye run - we were in Cary this weekend to get the rest of my stuff out of my parents' house and we only got back Sunday... and we're leaving tomorrow. We got my parents' washer and dryer and it turns out they won't plug into the socket here so now I'm chasing an electrician so Chuck can do laundry for the next two months. And so I won't hear about the disaster that was my idea to accept their offer of taking them for the rest of my life. I'll see you tonight at Fit Club though - I'll miss you too!

[scourtney7]

No worries, i will catch you at Summit! Miss you already but glad that we have a reunion to look forward to next weekend. Be safe!