The latest thoughts on diet, exercise, recipes, trends and products.
RBar Energy
The latest thoughts on diet, exercise, recipes, trends and products.
If you have become overwhelmed by the surplus of choices when it comes to protein bars, you are not alone. According to research, the protein bar market is worth an estimated USD $50 billion, which means that there is a lot to choose from. Unfortunately, a majority of these protein bars are essentially candy bars filled with unhealthy ingredients such as isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO). This ingredient misleads many people into believing they are supplementing their health, when in fact, they are just eating a highly processed sugar. So, what are IMOs and the other unhealthy fillers that most protein bars are full of? And the biggest question is, how can you avoid these fillers?
Thankfully, we've created this article to teach you about IMOs, and why RBar refuses to use them in our products. Keep on reading to learn more about IMOs and the health benefits of choosing RBar!
Let's get started!
IMOs, (Isomalto-oligosaccharide) is a sugar composed of sweet, short-chained carbohydrates. IMOs are a malt-based sugar, and is commonly known within the health industry as a "falsely labeled fiber".The fiber claim is misleading, as many people counting their fiber intake and would count IMOs as fiber consumption when it should be part of the sugar consumption. So, what are IMOs doing in supposed health food bars? Because of their distinct sweetness, they became an increasingly common ingredient in many protein bars, cooking powders, and various other supplements. IMOs first entered the protein bar market in 2010. Unfortunately, many dietary professionals argue that these bars are not nutritional whatsoever, and they are in fact, a candy bar in disguise. There are some claims that IMOs are slow to digest, which is why they are classified as dietary fiber. However, the FDA has declared that IMOs do not have enough evidence for this claim, and in fact, are digested with the same absorbency as sugar.
While IMOs occur in nature, that doesn't mean that the IMOs you have in these protein bars come from those natural sources. IMOs come from various sugar sources, including potatoes, corn, and hydrolyzed starch. Some of the sources include:
The IMO syrup in many protein bars is created by enzymatic reactions sourced from hydrolyzed starch. Essentially, these reactions break the starch into multiple smaller glucose chains, connected by other chemical bonds. This is a lab-based process that concludes that the IMOs that you will find in many protein bars are in fact, not as "natural" as they seem. Many different names are used for IMOs on packaging including:
Soluble Corn Fiber
Fiber (IMO)
IMO Fiber (Powder or Syrup)
Isomalto-Oligosaccharides
Prebiotic Fiber
Inulin
Chicory root
A Japanese study discovered that blood glucose rapidly spiked to 125 mg/dL in healthy men when they consumed 25 grams of IMOs after fasting. These researchers concluded that IMOs produced between 70-80% of the energy of sugar. Simply put, anything that spikes your blood glucose levels nearly as much as sugar can not be labeled as a dietary fiber. So while these protein bars that contain IMOs claim that they are safe for diabetics, they can cause a spike in insulin levels, which leads to insulin resistance, and ultimately, diabetes. If you are eating these so-called "keto-friendly" bars that contain IMOs, you will fall out of ketosis and have to start your cycle all over again.
Essentially, the main reason why IMOs are commonly found in protein bars is that they naturally have digestion-resistant properties, which slows down digestion. Since this is similar to how fiber works with the body, many supplement companies jumped on board and began calling it a fiber, which is a false claim. Fiber does not raise your blood glucose levels, while IMOs do.
RBars contain only realnatural sources of carbohydrates and fiber from realfood. There are no chemicals, and no hidden ingredients. RBars were created by blending together just 7 ingredients or less! Protein RBars are high in protein with a perfect amount of essential fats and carbohydrates from natural sources. The sugar content comes from honey, which is a great source of energy for athletes and their families. They are perfect for cyclists, climbers, endurance athletes, yogis, firefighters, people trying to lose weight, and make great snacks for the kids. The fiber content comes from whole-food sources such as almonds and dried fruit. RBars tick off all the boxes for a healthy, well rounded diet including:
RBars maintain all of this while providing you with a snack that is full of flavor and has a great texture. RBar energy bars have the same ingredients as the protein bars, just with a different ratio. These bars are perfect as fuel for athletes or weekend warriors who need some extra energy to fuel their day.
There you have it! You have now moved from wondering "what are IMOs?" to knowing what they are, and how to avoid them in your diet. To learn more about RBars, check out our variety packs that consist of many delicious flavors including Matcha Orange, Coconut, Acai, Honey Nut, and Pomegranate.
If you have become overwhelmed by the surplus of choices when it comes to protein bars, you are not alone. According to research, the protein bar market is worth an estimated USD $50 billion, which means that there is a lot to choose from. Unfortunately, a majority of these protein bars are essentially candy bars filled with unhealthy ingredients such as isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO). This ingredient misleads many people into believing they are supplementing their health, when in fact, they are just eating a highly processed sugar. So, what are IMOs and the other unhealthy fillers that most protein bars are full of? And the biggest question is, how can you avoid these fillers?
Thankfully, we've created this article to teach you about IMOs, and why RBar refuses to use them in our products. Keep on reading to learn more about IMOs and the health benefits of choosing RBar!
Let's get started!
IMOs, (Isomalto-oligosaccharide) is a sugar composed of sweet, short-chained carbohydrates. IMOs are a malt-based sugar, and is commonly known within the health industry as a "falsely labeled fiber".The fiber claim is misleading, as many people counting their fiber intake and would count IMOs as fiber consumption when it should be part of the sugar consumption. So, what are IMOs doing in supposed health food bars? Because of their distinct sweetness, they became an increasingly common ingredient in many protein bars, cooking powders, and various other supplements. IMOs first entered the protein bar market in 2010. Unfortunately, many dietary professionals argue that these bars are not nutritional whatsoever, and they are in fact, a candy bar in disguise. There are some claims that IMOs are slow to digest, which is why they are classified as dietary fiber. However, the FDA has declared that IMOs do not have enough evidence for this claim, and in fact, are digested with the same absorbency as sugar.
While IMOs occur in nature, that doesn't mean that the IMOs you have in these protein bars come from those natural sources. IMOs come from various sugar sources, including potatoes, corn, and hydrolyzed starch. Some of the sources include:
The IMO syrup in many protein bars is created by enzymatic reactions sourced from hydrolyzed starch. Essentially, these reactions break the starch into multiple smaller glucose chains, connected by other chemical bonds. This is a lab-based process that concludes that the IMOs that you will find in many protein bars are in fact, not as "natural" as they seem. Many different names are used for IMOs on packaging including:
Soluble Corn Fiber
Fiber (IMO)
IMO Fiber (Powder or Syrup)
Isomalto-Oligosaccharides
Prebiotic Fiber
Inulin
Chicory root
A Japanese study discovered that blood glucose rapidly spiked to 125 mg/dL in healthy men when they consumed 25 grams of IMOs after fasting. These researchers concluded that IMOs produced between 70-80% of the energy of sugar. Simply put, anything that spikes your blood glucose levels nearly as much as sugar can not be labeled as a dietary fiber. So while these protein bars that contain IMOs claim that they are safe for diabetics, they can cause a spike in insulin levels, which leads to insulin resistance, and ultimately, diabetes. If you are eating these so-called "keto-friendly" bars that contain IMOs, you will fall out of ketosis and have to start your cycle all over again.
Essentially, the main reason why IMOs are commonly found in protein bars is that they naturally have digestion-resistant properties, which slows down digestion. Since this is similar to how fiber works with the body, many supplement companies jumped on board and began calling it a fiber, which is a false claim. Fiber does not raise your blood glucose levels, while IMOs do.
RBars contain only realnatural sources of carbohydrates and fiber from realfood. There are no chemicals, and no hidden ingredients. RBars were created by blending together just 7 ingredients or less! Protein RBars are high in protein with a perfect amount of essential fats and carbohydrates from natural sources. The sugar content comes from honey, which is a great source of energy for athletes and their families. They are perfect for cyclists, climbers, endurance athletes, yogis, firefighters, people trying to lose weight, and make great snacks for the kids. The fiber content comes from whole-food sources such as almonds and dried fruit. RBars tick off all the boxes for a healthy, well rounded diet including:
RBars maintain all of this while providing you with a snack that is full of flavor and has a great texture. RBar energy bars have the same ingredients as the protein bars, just with a different ratio. These bars are perfect as fuel for athletes or weekend warriors who need some extra energy to fuel their day.
There you have it! You have now moved from wondering "what are IMOs?" to knowing what they are, and how to avoid them in your diet. To learn more about RBars, check out our variety packs that consist of many delicious flavors including Matcha Orange, Coconut, Acai, Honey Nut, and Pomegranate.
If you have become overwhelmed by the surplus of choices when it comes to protein bars, you are not alone. According to research, the protein bar market is worth an estimated USD $50 billion, which means that there is a lot to choose from. Unfortunately, a majority of these protein bars are essentially candy bars filled with unhealthy ingredients such as isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO). This ingredient misleads many people into believing they are supplementing their health, when in fact, they are just eating a highly processed sugar. So, what are IMOs and the other unhealthy fillers that most protein bars are full of? And the biggest question is, how can you avoid these fillers?
Thankfully, we've created this article to teach you about IMOs, and why RBar refuses to use them in our products. Keep on reading to learn more about IMOs and the health benefits of choosing RBar!
Let's get started!
IMOs, (Isomalto-oligosaccharide) is a sugar composed of sweet, short-chained carbohydrates. IMOs are a malt-based sugar, and is commonly known within the health industry as a "falsely labeled fiber".The fiber claim is misleading, as many people counting their fiber intake and would count IMOs as fiber consumption when it should be part of the sugar consumption. So, what are IMOs doing in supposed health food bars? Because of their distinct sweetness, they became an increasingly common ingredient in many protein bars, cooking powders, and various other supplements. IMOs first entered the protein bar market in 2010. Unfortunately, many dietary professionals argue that these bars are not nutritional whatsoever, and they are in fact, a candy bar in disguise. There are some claims that IMOs are slow to digest, which is why they are classified as dietary fiber. However, the FDA has declared that IMOs do not have enough evidence for this claim, and in fact, are digested with the same absorbency as sugar.
While IMOs occur in nature, that doesn't mean that the IMOs you have in these protein bars come from those natural sources. IMOs come from various sugar sources, including potatoes, corn, and hydrolyzed starch. Some of the sources include:
The IMO syrup in many protein bars is created by enzymatic reactions sourced from hydrolyzed starch. Essentially, these reactions break the starch into multiple smaller glucose chains, connected by other chemical bonds. This is a lab-based process that concludes that the IMOs that you will find in many protein bars are in fact, not as "natural" as they seem. Many different names are used for IMOs on packaging including:
Soluble Corn Fiber
Fiber (IMO)
IMO Fiber (Powder or Syrup)
Isomalto-Oligosaccharides
Prebiotic Fiber
Inulin
Chicory root
A Japanese study discovered that blood glucose rapidly spiked to 125 mg/dL in healthy men when they consumed 25 grams of IMOs after fasting. These researchers concluded that IMOs produced between 70-80% of the energy of sugar. Simply put, anything that spikes your blood glucose levels nearly as much as sugar can not be labeled as a dietary fiber. So while these protein bars that contain IMOs claim that they are safe for diabetics, they can cause a spike in insulin levels, which leads to insulin resistance, and ultimately, diabetes. If you are eating these so-called "keto-friendly" bars that contain IMOs, you will fall out of ketosis and have to start your cycle all over again.
Essentially, the main reason why IMOs are commonly found in protein bars is that they naturally have digestion-resistant properties, which slows down digestion. Since this is similar to how fiber works with the body, many supplement companies jumped on board and began calling it a fiber, which is a false claim. Fiber does not raise your blood glucose levels, while IMOs do.
RBars contain only realnatural sources of carbohydrates and fiber from realfood. There are no chemicals, and no hidden ingredients. RBars were created by blending together just 7 ingredients or less! Protein RBars are high in protein with a perfect amount of essential fats and carbohydrates from natural sources. The sugar content comes from honey, which is a great source of energy for athletes and their families. They are perfect for cyclists, climbers, endurance athletes, yogis, firefighters, people trying to lose weight, and make great snacks for the kids. The fiber content comes from whole-food sources such as almonds and dried fruit. RBars tick off all the boxes for a healthy, well rounded diet including:
RBars maintain all of this while providing you with a snack that is full of flavor and has a great texture. RBar energy bars have the same ingredients as the protein bars, just with a different ratio. These bars are perfect as fuel for athletes or weekend warriors who need some extra energy to fuel their day.
There you have it! You have now moved from wondering "what are IMOs?" to knowing what they are, and how to avoid them in your diet. To learn more about RBars, check out our variety packs that consist of many delicious flavors including Matcha Orange, Coconut, Acai, Honey Nut, and Pomegranate.