# Protein Bars **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 2, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645 "2003-05-02T15:34:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/1 "2003-05-02T15:34:33Z")
Alright, I’ve been thinking very recently about those muscle-building protein bars that you find at the gym, or in seven eleven. My question is: Where does the protein come from? Do the makers take the protein from nasty animal parts (or left over parts from the butcher)? I ask primarily because I’ve been basically surviving off of them for this week: Works been extremely busy and it’s just so much easier to grab a few bars then it is to try to figure out what to eat. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/2 "2003-05-02T16:00:15Z")
Umm, I think if you read the little thing they come in (called a wrapper) you may find a list of words (called ingredients). 🙂 Often, the protein is from whey (milk), soy, or wheat gluten. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/3 "2003-05-02T16:05:04Z")
> [@](#): > > PowerBar ProteinPlus – The Original > Get the energy you need for strength and recovery. Made by PowerBar, the sports nutrition expert, each convenient PowerBar ProteinPlus bar is packed with superior ingredients for optimal performance. And every irresistible flavor delivers 24 grams of our exclusive high quality, complete protein blend.\_ No gelatin – **just milk and soy for complete, natural proteins** in a great-tasting bar to help you build and maintain lean muscle. [http://www.powerbar.com/products/proteinplus/](http://www.powerbar.com/products/proteinplus/) ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/4 "2003-05-02T16:07:02Z")
more specifically: > [@](#): > > Protein: 24 grams of high quality protein from our proprietary TriSource™ protein blend. TriSource™ protein is an exclusive blend of **high quality whey, casein and soy proteins.** Protein is essential to help repair, maintain and grow human tissues and muscles. Athletes generally require 0.4 grams to 0.9 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day. [http://www.powerbar.com/Products/ProteinPlus/Faq.asp](http://www.powerbar.com/Products/ProteinPlus/Faq.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/5 "2003-05-02T16:07:16Z")
Basically, they don’t skim off protein and congele it into a bar. They include things - such as those mentioned by toadspittle - that contain protein. Milk, soy and gluten are popular sources. Soy is becoming strong in the U.S… Low cal per gram of protein. It’s not balanced nutrition, and if you are using them as meal replacements, your body is probably burning the protein for fuel, rather than making use of it as building blocks for development. ---
**Author:** ![tarfu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tarfu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarfu)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/6 "2003-05-02T16:07:30Z")
Yes, many of them come from whey, a milk product with a high amino acid content that will help replenish your muscles after a workout. Just be sure to eat bars with a low glycemic index, i.e., very low carbs, or you’ll blimp out. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/7 "2003-05-02T16:14:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by toadspittle \* > \*\*Often, the protein is from whey (milk), soy, or wheat gluten. \*\* Soy is a vegetable, whey I gather is milk, what’s Casein? ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/8 "2003-05-02T16:48:40Z")
Casein is another milk protein–the main one in cheese (whey gets removed from milk in cheesemaking … the old curds & whey). Also used to make paint and plastics, apparently. Yum! ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/9 "2003-05-02T16:49:48Z")
Casein and whey are both from milk. ---
**Author:** ![Kama45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7bcc69/32.png) [@Kama45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kama45)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/10 "2003-05-02T17:03:46Z")
I’d be wary about protein bars. Many/most are just just glorified candy bars with protein, and the protein is not always of the highest quality. They may claim to have whey, soy, etc., but only in small amounts; the remainder of the protein content being of low quality. ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/11 "2003-05-02T17:13:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kama45 \* > \*\*I’d be wary about protein bars. Many/most are just just glorified candy bars with protein, and the protein is not always of the highest quality. They may claim to have whey, soy, etc., but only in small amounts; the remainder of the protein content being of low quality. \*\* How can the protein not be “of the highest quality”? It’s a simple chemical, I wouldn’t think it could differ in “quality” from place to place. UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/12 "2003-05-02T17:22:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UnuMondo \* > \*\*How can the protein not be “of the highest quality”? It’s a simple chemical, I wouldn’t think it could differ in “quality” from place to place. > \*\* Protein is not a simple chemical; it’s made from long chains of amino acids and can vary enormously in the proportions of the individual acids. Protein from a single vegetable source may be deficient in certain essential amino acids and thereby poor in nutritional “quality.” That’s why vegetarians eat legumes and grains together–each by itself is deficient in certain amino acids, but together they complement each other. ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/13 "2003-05-02T17:59:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biffy the Elephant Shrew \* > \*\*Protein is not a simple chemical; it’s made from long chains of amino acids and can vary enormously in the proportions of the individual acids. Protein from a single vegetable source may be deficient in certain essential amino acids and thereby poor in nutritional “quality.” \*\* That is true, but egg and milk proteins are considered “complete” and many bars contain them. As for the OP, I’ve had similar questions in the past - some bars “do” have questionable sources of protein. You have to look at the label and make sure it doesn’t say “collagen” on it. The “Atkins Advantage” bar contains hydrolyzed collagen so I avoid it. “Carb Solutions” bars also contain hydrolyzed collagen. In the Atkins chocolate peanut butter bar for example, the protein ingredients are: Soy Protein Isolate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Whey Protein Isolate, Calcium/Sodium Caseinate. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/14 "2003-05-02T18:12:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rusalka \* > \*\* You have to look at the label and make sure it doesn’t say “collagen” on it. \*\* Collagen is fat, correct? Now I’m probably going to sound like an utter dumbass, but why would I want to avoid collagen/fat? I mean, excessive amounts sure, but a few grams are good for you aren’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protein-bars/172645/15 "2003-05-02T18:51:10Z")
Collagen is what you were asking about in your OP, it is a protein: col·la·gen ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kl-jn) n. The fibrous protein constituent of bone, cartilage, tendon, and other connective tissue. It is converted into gelatin by boiling. * * * ## [Greek kolla, glue + -gen.] colla·genic (-jnk) or col·lage·nous (k-lj-ns) adj. Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. So yes, they do put rendered animal products in protein bars. You have to read the labels of what you eat.