A YouTuber took on an unusual challenge, living solely on protein bars for a week to observe the effects on his body.
It’s widely known that subsisting on only protein bars is not the way to achieve a healthy and balanced diet.
While protein bars can be beneficial, offering a substantial amount of protein in a convenient form with potentially less sugar than typical chocolate bars, they are not without their limitations and should not replace well-rounded meals.
In a bid to understand the impact, YouTuber Colin Murray from Wisconsin committed to a week-long experiment of consuming nothing but protein bars, all while maintaining his intense calisthenic workout routine.
Murray described it as a challenging week, noting various health issues and the toll it took on his body.
He expressed that the diet made his workouts feel ‘sad’ and left him feeling physically ‘weak’.
Additionally, he experienced dizziness and bloating, observing a loss in his six-pack abs’ definition.
After the first day, he found some relief in not needing to cook, but soon regretted his choice after consuming six protein bars—two for each meal.
He remarked: “I think I’m pregnant, my stomach’s broken. I’m already starting to get sick of this food.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF-4Hw10xPk
On the second day, an unexpected issue emerged—he had not been able to use the bathroom properly.
He shared: “I ate a lot of protein bars but nothing has come out yet, so that’s a little bit alarming.
“I haven’t pooped in three days. That is a long time and to be honest it is kind of starting to freak me out a little bit.”
Ultimately, Murray had to break his challenge with some blueberries and apples to alleviate his situation.
Resuming the protein-bar-only regimen on day four, he reported new side effects.
He noted: “I’ve been tired this entire day and my stomach still makes that noise.
“I normally always have a six-pack [too], but since I’ve been doing this diet, I’m like always bloated. I also smell.”
Reflecting on days five and six, he mentioned feeling both fatigued and restless, with his workouts being less productive due to his lack of energy.
By the end of his experiment, his perspective on protein bars had drastically changed, expressing guilt over his long-term consumption.
He concluded: “I feel. It feels like I’ve been poisoning myself for the past like five years, cuz I’ve eaten these a lot — especially this week.
“’Processed food [like protein bars] really just kills your energy, is kind of what I’m noticing… when you eat processed food it really messes you up.
“This past week, I haven’t gotten sleep, I haven’t been able to do anything… They should be an every now and again snack.”
Using protein bars occasionally as a snack seems like a more sensible approach than enduring a week of exhaustion and digestive issues.