A rising trend among teens is leaving both health experts and parents concerned. According to the 2010 Eating and Activity in Teens Study – a population-based analysis of diet, physical activity, and weight control behaviors among adolescents in Minnesota – teen boys and girls may be using protein shakes and other muscle-enhancing supplements to bulk up now more than ever. 
As reported by Med Page Today, the self-reported study involved nearly 2,800 students with an average age of 14. Approximately 53% were female, 46% were male, and 60% played at least one after-school sport.
The study found that 35% of adolescents who participated admitted to using protein powders and shakes, 6% admitted to using steroids, and nearly 11% reported using some other muscle-enhancing supplement. In addition, it was found that boys were more likely to engage in both of these behaviors than girls.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis speculated why this trend has surfaced among young boys, especially considering body image issues are typically more common among girls.
“Boys’ body dissatisfaction has simultaneously increased, and research has demonstrated that exposure to images of extremely muscular models contributes to body dissatisfaction and muscle dysmorphia in young men,” they wrote.
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When it comes to diet food, the options are practically endless. And while this may seem like a good thing to some, to others, too many options is flat-out daunting. Searching the shelves for wholesome, healthy bars and protein shakes can prove to be a rigorous task that rarely yields positive results.
But fortunately for you, we get to test these products out so you don’t have to. And because we always give our honest opinion about their taste, cost and nutritional value, you’ll quickly know whether they’re worth your time and hard-earned money.
Last week, we were happy to receive a shipment of OurSkinny weight loss shakes and protein bars. And while we’re typically weary of ‘diet food’ since whole, fresh foods are always a healthier choice, there can be a place for convenience foods in a person’s diet if it’s a quality, nutritious product.
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In a press release issued today, NBC announced that they are partnering with Walgreens to bring Biggest Loser meal replacement shakes and bars to the U.S. market. Similar products were previously available in Australia.
Created under the supervision of Dr. Michael Dansinger, The Biggest Loser‘s nutrition expert, these bars and shakes have been designed to provide essential nutrients for people on the go. The ready-to-drink shakes will be available in a creamy vanilla flavor for 180 calories and milk chocolate for 190 calories. There are four flavors of meal bars, including chocolatley coconut, cinnamon apple turnover, banana nut bread and peanut butter chocolate chip. Both the shakes and bars include 10 grams of protein and do not contain artificial food coloring or flavors.
The shakes are also a good source of fiber, vitamin D, vitamin C and calcium. The bars are also contain vitamin D and a range of other nutrients, depending on the flavor. Each bar is 160 calories, with the exception of the banana nut bread flavor, which is only 150 calories.
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The world of protein and energy bars is never dull. Just recently, Detour launched a new look and new products to their existing menu of activity bars.
Here are some new products from Detour that promise to deliver the energy and nutrients you need to lead and thrive in an active lifestyle:
Detour Yoga Bar: With lemon balm to help you maintain your relaxing yoga glow and 11 grams of high quality protein to help you maintain your pretzel-like flexibility, the Detour Yoga bar is one of just three activity bars designed specifically for certain forms of exercise. There is also a Detour Runner and Biker Bar. The Yoga Bar comes in Peach Mango and Blueberry Acai flavors, and contains 170 calories, two grams of fat and four grams of fiber.
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For the thousands of sufferers out there who are either gluten intolerant or have a hard time digesting wheat, there is a protein bar out there for you. The Comfort Bar, sold online exclusively on Oaks at Ojai and in limited retail locations in the U.S., packs 15 grams of protein and five grams of fiber into every bar. There are no corn syrups, trans fats, artificial flavors or sweeteners, which is important as a protein bar with a list of junk ingredients is not what we would call a healthy snack.
Our recommendation when looking at protein bars is to look at the ingredient list to make sure it doesn’t contain any unhealthy ingredients and make sure it has at least 10 grams of protein and less than 10 grams of sugar.
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