How many times have you resorted to fast food or a candy bar from the vending machine because you were too busy to plan out your meals for that day. Our lives today have become so busy and hectic that sometimes an occasional unhealthy meal seems inevitable but if you're trying to lose weight this could stall your progress.

This is where nutrition bars come to the rescue! Just in case you haven't noticed they're everywhere you go; the grocery store, drug store, gas station, health food store, walmart and your health club of course. There are so many brands, different types and flavors that choosing one can take up almost as much time as cooking a meal. Here's a breakdown of some of the most popular bars by type, what they offer, and why you should or shouldn't eat them.

High Protein Low Carb Bars
These bars are perfect for people who need to increase their protein intake in order to gain muscle, or maintain muscle when on a low carb-high protein diet. These bars are typically under 300 calories and contain anywhere from 20 to 35 grams of protein and very little to moderate amounts of carbs and fat. It's important to read the nutrition facts label since some bars are marketed as high protein bars but have very low amounts of protein (15g or less) and high amounts of carbs in the form of sugar. Good choices include:
Carb Solutions Chocolate Fudge Almond 230 calories, 9g fat, 2g carbs, 2g sugar, 21g protein
Designer Whey Double Chocolate 260 calories, 4.5g fat, 6g carbs, 2g sugar, 30g protein
Nitro Tech Smores Sensation 290 calories, 7g fat, 7g carbs, 4g sugar, 36g protein

Meal Replacement Bars
These bars are more like a high protein meal, high in protein, moderate in carbs and typically low in fat. If you don't have special needs and are looking for a quick meal then these are the best bars around. Be sure to look at the nutritional information to make sure the carbs aren't coming mostly from sugar. Stay away from bars that contain 33g carbs 27g of that from sugar (geni soy, luna, most eas bars, regular power bars are not good choices). Yeah they taste better but they promote fat storage and prevent fat loss. Good choices in this category include:
Promax Lean Protein Choc. Peanut 290 calories, 9g fat, 26g carbs, 3g sugar, 31g protein
MetRx Protein Plus Choc. Choc. Chip 270 calories, 4g fat, 22g carbs, 2g sugar, 31g protein
Myoplex Carb Sense Creamy Peanut Butter 250 calories, 7g fat, 20g carbs, 0g sugar, 29g protein
Power Bar Protein Plus Sugar Free Caramel Apple 180 calories, 4g fat, 20g carbs, 16g protein
Pure Protein Blueberry Cheesecake 180 calories, 4g fat, 14g carbs, 2g sugar, 30g protein
Detour Bars (Tastes just like a snickers) 290 calories, 9g fat, 21g carbs, 6g sugar, 32g protein
Atkins Advantage Chocolate Raspberry 220 calories, 10g fat, 22g carbs, 0g sugar, 19g protein

Energy Bars
These bars are higher in calories and have high amounts of carbs and protein . They are best suited for endurance athletes, hard-core bodybuilders, or people with very active lifestyles who need higher amounts of carbs to fuel their workouts or meet post-workout needs. If you are trying to lose weight stay away from these!!!
MetRx Big 100 Extreme Vanilla 320 calories, 20g fat, 48g carbs, 28g sugar, 27g protein
Myoplex Deluxe Choc. Peanut Butter 340 calories, 7g fat, 43g carbs, 34g sugar, 24g protein,
Power Bar Protein Plus Cookies & Cream 290 calories, 5g fat, 38g carbs 18g sugar, 24g protein

Women's Bars
In general all the bars in this category are not all that great but they do serve a purpose. They're low in calories, low fat, moderate in carbs, a good amount of that coming from sugar, and low to moderate in protein which is great for satisfying a sweet tooth or an intense craving. Although not as weightloss conscious as the other bars they're a better alternative to donuts, cookies, chocolate, cake, or any other fattening processed sweets. Good ones to try include:
Power Bar Pria Creme Caramel Crisp 110 calories, 3g fat, 17g carbs, 10g sugar, 5g protein
Clif Luna Bar Peanut Butter & Jelly 170 calories, 2.5g fat, 28g carbs, 13g sugar, 10g protein
Myoplex Lite Perf. Cinnamon Roll Crisp 190 calories, 4.5g fat, 27g carbs, 16g sugar, 15g protein
Balance Bar Gold Caramel Nut Blast 210 calories, 7g fat, 22g carbs, 13g sugar, 15g protein
Zone Perfect All Natural Caramel Apple 200 calories, 6g fat, 21g carbs, 16g sugar, 16g protein

Bars to Avoid
Geni Soy Dutch Crunch Sour Apple Crisp 230 calories, 4.5g fat, 33g carbs, 26g sugar, 14g protein
EAS AdvantEdge Oatmeal Raisin, 240 calories, 42g carbs, 20g sugar, 12g protein
Slim Fast Meal On-The-Go Chocolate Peanut 220 calories, 5g fat, 36g carbs, 20g sugar, 8g protein
Ensure Cookies 'n Cream 230 calories, 6g fat, 35g carbs, 26g sugar, 9g protein (candy bar!)

Not Much Better Than...
Think those bars in the last category aren't so bad? Think again... They're almost as bad as having:
Snickers 280 calories, 14g fat, ?total carbs 30g sugar, 4g protein (just say no!!!)
Peanut Butter M&M's 240 calories, 14g fat, 26g carbs, 22g sugar, 5g protein

Pay almost $3 retail or get a great deal online on: Worldwide Pure Protein Bars