I was recently at a party when a neighbor heard that I write articles on the Balance Bar website. She enthusiastically proclaimed that she felt Balance Bars were the best tasting nutrition bars and that they worked better than any other bar to help stabilize her blood sugar. She asked me why they work so well. That’s usually all it takes for me to break into a mini-seminar explaining the nutrition science behind the many benefits of the Balance Bar.
I explained that Balance Bars were designed to help manage the hormonal response of food. The unique 40-30-30 ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% from protein, and 30% from fat helps to control the release of the insulin hormone, and elevate the hormone glucagon. By combining only 40% carbohydrates with protein and fat, the bar is digested slower and enters the bloodstream in a controlled manner, helping to keep blood sugar levels steady for longer periods of time. The protein helps to stimulate the release of the hormone glucagon, which mobilizes glycogen in the liver to further help maintain steady blood sugar. So when you eat a Balance Bar you can help stabilize blood sugar for lasting energy.
At that point, I had the attention of several more women and their husbands. The next question is always, “Can I just eat Balance Bars throughout the day?” Of course my answer was unfortunately no. Many people eat meals that are either too high in carbohydrates or too high in protein or fat. They don’t actually think about the ratio of the macronutrients in the meal. But, when you begin to balance every meal as close to the 40-30-30 ratio as possible, you can experience balanced blood sugar and insulin/glucagon levels throughout your day. I recommend eating a balanced 40-30-30 breakfast, lunch, and dinner and eating Balance Bars as a mid-afternoon snack, before a workout, or as an after dinner sweet treat. My typical day starts with an early morning Balance Bar with a cup of green tea before my workout, followed by breakfast. I have lunch three to four hours later, a Balance Bar as a mid-afternoon snack, then dinner.
So if you are looking to balance your energy levels, try eating Balance Bars along with 40-30-30 balanced meals throughout your day. And after 25 years, I agree. They are the best tasting nutrition bars available!
*Blood sugar levels already within a normal range.
Joyce Daoust is a Certified Nutritionist, Balance Bar® spokesperson and national best-selling co-author of THE FORMULA, A Personalized 40-30-30 Weight Loss Program.