Joe Wicks warns about hidden processed ingredients in protein bars

THIS week Joe Wicks has revealed that protein bars contain ultra processed foods (UPFs) in the form of emulsifiers, sweeteners and highly purified protein that have been processed to remove most of the fat, carbohydrates, and lactose.

But as long as you're eating them occasionally as part of a healthy diet, they are no worse than some chocolate bars.

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Today I look at what's in these bars.

COCOA

NAKD Cocoa Hazelnut Protein Bar contains ingredients we all know.

The 45g bar is made from 38 per cent dates, 35 per cent peanuts, ten per cent chicory fibre, eight per cent peanut flour, five per cent hazelnuts, fat- reduced cocoa powder and natural flavourings.

The drawback is the protein content - 7.2g per when it should be 10g.It tastes great.

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The dates and peanuts come through and it isn't ultra processed.

This is the healthiest of the three and great for the kids.

See www.eatnakd.com. Four 45g bars £3 at tesco.com.

PEANUTS

PIP & Nut is known for its peanut butter.

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Now its new protein bars will be in Tesco from tomorrow.

Protein bars should have at least 10g protein per bar.

And these do.

They come in caramel almond, dark chocolate peanut and, the one I tried, peanut butter, which is made from roasted peanuts with layers of crispy pieces, and then topped with peanut butter caramel.

They are 20 per cent peanut and contain agave syrup, soya protein, soya protein isolate, tapioca starch, oats, coconut oil, dates and pumpkin seeds.

There are 223 cals per 46g bar, 4.1g of saturated fat, 9g sugar, 2.4g fibre.

They taste amazing. Nutty with a slight saltiness.

They come individually or in three-packs. In Ocado at £2.50 for three.See pipandnut.com

OREO

THE Oreo Grenade bar is by far the most processed of the three.

But it does contain 21g of protein per 60g bar. They also have 233kcal, 5.6g saturated fat, and just 1g sugar.

It has 1.2g of fibre, the lowest of the three, and contains whey protein isolate, emulsifier, soy lecithin, bovine collagen hydrolysate, glycerol, maltitol, sucralose, palm oil, fat-reduced cocoa powder, wheat flour, rapeseed oil, polydextrose, emulsifier, ammonium and sodium carbonates and sodium hydroxide.

Ultra processed and not one for the kids or something adults should rely on for nutrition.

But eaten with a healthy diet, these bars can be useful. Everything in moderation.

I like the chewiness and filling too. From £1.66 a bar. See grenade.com