If you workout regularly, then you know that exercise alone does not yield results. Rather, it is a combination of nutrition and fitness that can truly give you the body you desire. Unfortunately, with all the unhealthy options staring us in the face each day, it can be hard to make the right decisions regarding workout enhancing foods. If you haven’t tried the P90X Peak Performance Bars, you really should!

The key thing to remember when it comes to food specifically aimed at enhancing the benefits of exercise is timing. You cannot get ideal results from a workout if you are not properly fueled beforehand. Similarly, you will be unable to recover quickly if you do not eat something appropriate after a tough fitness session. However, a big meal that fills your stomach can cause cramping before a workout and not meet the nutritional demands after a workout. These same large portions take a long time to digest, making them less than ideal for post-workout recovery.

With this in mind, there are a number of alternatives you can eat before, during, or after a tough workout session. For many, the ideal solution is to choose a protein shake or recovery drink that can be easily swallowed. Some of us, though, prefer to chew our food and enjoy the taste and texture of something more substantial. That’s where workout bars come in. These are not your average granola bar, instead, they are specially designed with key nutritional components that can boost your performance.

Some bars claim to be ideal for exercise, yet fail to contain enough protein to rebuild and strengthen muscles. Ideally, you should look for a bar with at least 10 grams of protein, although closer to 20 grams is best. At the same time, you want to avoid options with high amounts of fat. Unfortunately, some companies make protein bars with so much fat, it is like eating a candy bar. Fat takes time to digest, adds unnecessary calories, and can prevent you from achieving a toned, muscular physique. Instead, try to find a bar with some fiber. Fiber helps regulate your metabolism and keep energy levels from dropping.

So, which edible options are best for enhancing your workout? There are several brands out there, but the P90X performance bars are among the best in the business. With 18 grams of protein, they are well within the ideal range for boosting muscular growth. Plus, these bars are low in fat and high in fiber. They are also low in sugar. Sure, sugar gives you a temporary energy boost, but then it causes you to crash. Many so-called energy bars are little more than sugary substitutes for real nutrition.

Ultimately, though, you want a bar that tastes good. After all, you work out hard, you deserve to eat delicious food. Want to know what flavor bars are best? Many companies advertise chocolate options that mimic candy, but many of these fall short on taste because they are ultimately using fake flavorings. Instead, check out bars, like the P90X ones, with natural tastes like berry, mocha and chocolate peanut butter.

Before you head out to your next sweat session, be sure to pack your gym bag with a powerful protein bar. Remember, not all bars are the same, so you’ll want to pick the one with the ideal blend of nutrition and taste to suit your needs. Don’t be fooled by claims made by cereal or granola bars, for a real workout, you need a real performance enhancer. Another thing to keep in mind, even if you don’t use these bars before or after exercise, they are an absolute must have for snacks. You can easily take them with you, they are the right amount of calories for a “small” meal. Ideally you are already eating 5 or 6 meals a day, and these bars are perfect for one of those meals, don’t get stuck without a nutritious snack, try the P90X Peak Performance Bars.