Monday, November 11, 2019

15 Healthy Vegan Protein Bars

When you're pressed for time, protein bars can be a quick and convenient snack option to keep you going between meals.
However, finding vegan protein bars can be difficult, as most products on the market include ingredients like whey protein, honey, and milk.
Most protein bars are also loaded with additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, all of which can negate many of the bars' potential health benefits.
Still, there are many nutrient-rich vegan protein bars available, as well as several recipes that you can use to make your own at home.
Here are 15 healthy vegan protein bars.

1. Vega 20g Protein Bar


Available in chocolate peanut butter and salted caramel flavors, these protein bars pack 20 grams of plant-based protein per serving.
Each Vega 20g Protein Bar also contains 290 calories and 4 grams of fiber, which can help improve blood sugar control and digestive health.
Upping your intake of fiber may even help stabilize blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure, and keep cholesterol levels in check.

2. Evo Hemp Pineapple Almond Fruit & Nut Bar


These vegan bars are made using hemp protein, which is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
In addition to relieving inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids can help promote brain function, heart health, and immunity.
Each Evo Hemp bar contains 205 calories, along with 8 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and several important nutrients, including phosphorus, manganese, vitamin E, and magnesium.

3. Easy Homemade Vegan Protein Bars


With just four simple ingredients, these homemade protein bars are a great option for novice chefs and foodies alike.
Additionally, unlike many prepackaged protein bars, they contain only whole food ingredients and are free of additives, preservatives, and artificial flavorings.
Although the nutritional value can vary based on the specific products you use, each serving contains about 215 calories, 2.5 grams of fiber, and nearly 11 grams of protein.

4. Rise Bar


Rise Bars are made using pea protein isolate and boast 3 grams of fiber and a whopping 15 grams of protein per serving.
They also contain just four key ingredients, which makes them an excellent option for those looking to limit their consumption of sugar alcohol or preservatives.
They are also a good source of potassium, an important nutrient that can help support heart health, manage blood sugar levels, and protect against bone loss and kidney stones.

5. GoMacro MacroBar


With 270 calories, 2 grams of fiber, and 12 grams of protein, the GoMacro MacroBar is a popular product that's made using sprouted brown rice protein.
Brown rice protein is a great source of essential amino acids, which are a type of amino acid that can't be synthesized by the body and need to be obtained from food sources instead.
Plus, it's high in branched-chain amino acids, which can help promote muscle gain and reduce muscle damage after exercise.

6. No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bar


These homemade chocolate protein bars are nutritious, easy to prepare, and indulgent enough to satisfy nearly any sweet tooth.
They're made using just a few simple ingredients, including bananas. This popular fruit helps enhance the texture while bumping up the content of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
Each serving contains less than 200 calories and 20 grams of carbs, plus 12.5 grams of protein and nearly 2 grams of fiber.

7. 22 Days Nutrition Organic Protein Bar


These tasty protein bars are available in several flavors, including chunky peanut butter, fudge brownie, peanut butter chocolate chip, and salted caramel.
Compared with other protein bars, 22 Days Nutrition bars are relatively low in calories yet high in protein and fiber, with 160 calories, 9 grams of fiber, and 15 grams of protein packed into each serving.
Plus, they're a good source of iron, a nutrient often lacking in vegan diets. Iron plays a key role in the production of healthy red blood cells.

8. No Cow Protein Bar


High in both protein and fiber, these power-packed protein bars make a great addition to a well-rounded weight loss diet.
In fact, No Cow protein bars contain 19 grams of fiber, 20 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar, and just 190 calories per serving.
Protein has been shown to help reduce levels of ghrelin, a hormone that's responsible for stimulating feelings of hunger.
Meanwhile, fiber moves through the digestive tract very slowly, which helps reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness to enhance weight loss.

9. ALOHA Organic Protein Bar


These protein bars are vegan, gluten-free, and organic. Plus, they're made using a blend of pumpkin seed and brown rice protein.
Aside from providing 14 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber per serving, ALOHA Protein Bars are relatively high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids.
Monounsaturated fatty acids can help increase HDL (good) cholesterol and reduce blood sugar and triglyceride levels in those with type 2 diabetes.

10. Cookie Dough Protein Bars

These homemade cookie dough protein bars are made by combining vanilla extract, protein powder, maple syrup, and cashew butter, along with a few other simple ingredients.
They also contain oat flour, which is a good source of mass gain tablets is a compound that can help decrease cholesterol levels, which could help reduce the risk of heart disease.
A typical serving of these tasty protein bars provides about 230 calories, 7.5 grams of protein, and 3.5 grams of fiber.

11. Raw Rev Glo Protein Bar


In addition to supplying 11 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber, Raw Rev Glo bars are low in added sugar, containing just 3 grams per serving.
Excess sugar consumption can not only contribute to weight gain but also harm heart health, blood sugar levels, and liver function.
These flavorful protein bars are naturally sweetened with ingredients like monk fruit extract and dark chocolate and made using a blend of nutritious ingredients, including chia seeds, flax seeds, and hemp protein.

12. Pegan Thin Protein Bar


This protein bar is jam-packed with fiber and contains just 1 gram of net carbs, making it a great choice for those on a low carb or ketogenic diet.
Pegan Thin protein bars are also rich in prebiotic fiber, a type of fiber that helps fuel the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Research suggests that the health of this bacteria, also known as the gut microbiome, could help regulate immune function, digestive health, cancer growth, and inflammation.
Each bar contains 170 calories, 20 grams of protein, and 27 grams of fiber.

13. Amrita Protein Bars


With an ingredient list full of familiar foods rather than chemicals and additives, Amrita Bars are a good option for health-conscious consumers.
They currently offer seven different flavors that are made with ingredients like dates, brown rice protein, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, and chia seeds.
Each serving provides about 15 grams of protein, 4–6 grams of fiber, and around 220 calories.

14. Healthy Matcha Protein Bars


These homemade, vibrantly colored protein bars are equal parts delicious and nutritious.
One serving contains 150 calories, 14 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fiber, making them a great, guilt-free snack option.
They also feature matcha, a concentrated form of green tea that has been shown to boost fat-burning, improve brain function, and support heart health.

15. LOLA Probiotic Bar


Aside from providing 12 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, and just 200 calories, each LOLA Probiotic Bar crams in one billion colony-forming units (CFU) of probiotics.
Probiotics are a type of beneficial bacteria associated with a long list of health benefits, including improved regularity and digestive health.
What's more, probiotics may aid disease prevention, thanks to their ability to fight inflammation and boost immunity.

The Bottom Line


Plenty of healthy vegan protein bars are available.
You can find a variety of them at your local supermarket or online, or try whipping up a batch in the comfort of your kitchen.
In addition to providing a hearty dose of protein in each serving, many of these protein bars offer fiber, healthy fats, and a host of other nutritious ingredients.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

The Best Healthy Living Blogs of 2019

Living a healthier life might seem like a tall order — the nutrition, the exercise, the inner happiness! But having some friendly advice at your disposal, whenever and wherever you need it, makes it easier and more fun. With just a click, these awesome blogs filled with tips, tricks, and personal stories will inspire you on your journey to wellness.

Delish Knowledge

Think of this as health blog vegetarian cooking, made simple. Writer Alex is a registered dietitian, and her ingredient shopping tips and cooking videos — check out the one for vegan paella! — is the next best thing to an office visit. Vegetarians or anybody curious about the lifestyle can consider this blog your starter kit for plant-based recipes that range in ingredients and complexity.

The Real Food Dietitians

Who it’s for: Diet adventurers who love their Instant Pot, slow cooker, and Whole30 plan. This blog has recipes for each of these phenomena, plus tips for doing meal prep efficiently.
What it’s all about: Eating well, living well, and being well. Not only are there tons of dietitian-authored recipes, but you can also opt in for customized meal plans.

My Fitness Pal

My Fitness Pal provides inspiration through real-life “victory stories” (aka before-and-after stories featuring relatable people). There are also trainer tips and essential guides to big topics like hydration, low-cal meal options, and fat-burning workouts, as well as niche subjects like micronutrients.

Fit Bottomed Girls

For those who get frustrated with the status quo and ideals of what we “should” be, Fit Bottomed Girls offers a refreshing change of pace. The founders, both certified fitness pros, preach confidence and body positivity. They take a thoughtful approach to fitness, instead of quick, lose-fat-in-10-days results. Their roadmap to a healthier life is a combo of nutrition-packed recipes, doable daily workouts, and a good dose of meditation.

Fit Foodie Finds

Fit Foodie Finds is a wellness blog tailor-made for serial Instagram scrollers. The gorgeous photos of healthy meals are just as exciting as making them. Who knew oats could look so pretty? Healthy living posts primarily focus on recipes, but they also include workouts (booty, legs, you name it), DIY beauty, mental health, and relationships. Style-conscious readers will love it, too, with its gallery after gallery of fashion articles.

Mommypotamus

Moms looking for that trust-me-I’ve-been-there perspective and healthy ways to take care of their families and themselves will find it on Mommypotamus. This blog is especially full of information for pregnant women and first-time moms, touching on everything from ultrasound safety to birth plans. You’ll also find a wealth of content on motherhood, natural health, clean beauty, and more.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Are Bald Men Sexier?

Headline Type: Question Post, Infectious Agent: Awe, Surprise
With over 2 million shares on Facebook, this post uses scientific research to appeal to the general bald audience, giving them reassurance by portraying examples of famous bald men and the preferences of various women as a means of raising their confidence. Since most men tend to lose some of their hair when they turn 50 and some earlier than that. The general target audience becomes men, making it a post that will continue to be shared as long as men keep losing hair. Bald Men Are Sexier

Settings and Techniques New Camera Owners Should Know

Headline Type: List Posts, Infectious Agents: Joy, Awe
Anyone interested in photography or in possession of a camera will already have their attention directed toward this post. With over 419,000 shares on Facebook and about 22,000 shares on Pinterest, this article gives information that can make a novice camera user more confident by informing them about certain tricks and techniques that they should know about if they don’t intend on being left out in the photography world.

A Widower and a 4-Year-Old

Headline Type: Heart-to-Heart Posts, Infectious Agents: Joy, Sadness
With over 1.5 million shares on Facebook, we get to see that most users enjoy sharing heart-warming articles and this article was definitely one of them. Highlighting the encounter that took place between a 4-year-old girl and an elderly widower at a grocery store, this one is aimed to pull at readers’ heartstrings.
Viral marketing article

Viral Marketing Articles

Successful companies make use of viral videos because they possess something exciting and engaging that people can relate to. They are usually random but carefully adjusted for marketing campaign use. Some companies release many videos but only some of them get to go viral because of their distinct characteristics. Here are some successful Viral Marketing Ads.

1. Old Spice – February 2010

The original Old Spice advert released in 2010 contained many hilarious outs that made marketers everywhere want to work with them. It currently has 54 million views.

2. Evian Baby – April 2013

A favorite amongst the public and marketers alike, Evian’s baby campaign was hugely successful and also included an app that had users create their own baby image. The viral video has over 96 million views.

3. Telekinetic Shop Surprise – October 2013

In an effort to promote the movie Carrie, a coffee shop in New York was transformed with hidden cameras to capture shoppers’ reactions to what they perceived to be telekinesis. The video currently has 67 million views on YouTube.

4. Volvo Trucks: The Epic Split – November 2013

Volvo released a video of action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme performing the splits on two reversing Volvo trucks. The video was released as a way to demonstrate the stability of Volvo trucks’ steering wheels and quickly gained popularity with over 86.7 million views
Viral article examples

5. Dove “Campaign For Real Beauty”: Deconstruct The Norm

Aftermarket research carried out in 2004 by Unilever revealed only about 4% of women considered themselves as beautiful, Dove worked to change that perception, using the research data to decipher what women perceived beauty to be, they were able to create viral videos like the interview piece where mothers and daughters discussed female beauty. Their campaign became popular and went viral because it was relatable and connected with people’s views of female beauty norms.