27 April 2022

Pan de higo, the healthiest energy bar for athletes

The latest trends in food are not always the healthiest option. We sometimes get carried away by the labelling, the skillful marketing of products or terms such as “healthy”, “light” and “high-protein” featured on the packaging of most energy bars.

Traditional cuisine contains tasty, nutritious and healthy recipes, free of additives, added sugars and other substances that are harmful to your body. Today we are talking about Pan de higo, a completely natural energy bar.  

Of Andalusian origin, this traditional Christmas dessert is characterised by nutritional values that are ideal for sport enthusiasts. Figs contain a considerable amount of natural sugars that are transformed into energy by the body. Almonds, meanwhile, are an excellent source of protein and slow-absorbing carbohydrates.

This combination of foods has given rise to fig bars, an energy-rich recipe that was traditionally used to preserve figs for longer.

As such, we are dealing with a food you need to include in your sports diet to begin to replace harmful ultra-processed products. We will now tell you all about the beneficial properties this food has for your overall health.   

Nutritional value of Pan de higo bars

Fig and almond bars are not just a real source of energy, they are also a source of various minerals and vitamins that help take care of your body. These are the nutritional values of this product per 100 grams.

  • Calories: 302 Kcal
  • Calcium: 203 mg (25% RDI)
  • Iron: 2.5 mg (18% RDI)
  • Magnesium: 32% RDI
  • Zinc: 1.26 mg (13% RDI)
  • Potassium: 967 mg (48% RDI)
  • Phosphorous: 144 mg (21% RDI)
  • Vitamin E: 3.6 mg (30% RDI)

This calorie intake, although it may seem high, is not really excessive at all as it is completely healthy energy and free of artificial ingredients and preservatives. This is why starting the day with a fig bar provides you with all the energy you need to face your routine in a completely natural manner.

We will now explain the benefits of Pan de higo to enable you replace standard energy bars with a natural product crammed with benefits for both you and your sporting activities.

Benefits for the musculoskeletal system

The proper growth and maintenance of the musculoskeletal system is vital for doing sport.

Pan de higo is a source of minerals. According to Regulation (EC) 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, pan de higo contains: iron, of vital importance in the prevention pathologies such as anemia; calcium, essential for the bones; and phosphorus, which helps fight physical and mental fatigue.

In addition, it has a high content of potassium and magnesium, as well as Vitamin E.

An ally against excess weight

Regular exercise helps keep you fit. However, maintaining an active routine is just as important as eating the right food.

Striking this important balance is key, but this is easier said than done. Energy bars, for example, provide a high intake of energy together with saturated fats and refined sugars that are harmful to your health. 

On the other hand, Pan de higo bars contain natural sugars that are both harmless and help control your weight, as they generate a satiating effect and prevent you from having a snack between meals.

Source of energy

The natural ingredients used to produce Pan de higo bars is a real source of energy, especially recommended for athletes. Indeed, if we talk about invigorating foods, figs would be ranked first. Adding the most popular and one of the most energetic nuts in Spain,   almonds, to figs, gives us the ideal food to meet the high levels of energy demanded by athletes, in addition to children.

The caloric density of almonds and dried figs is high. In the case of the former, we are talking around 529 kcal per 100 grams of the edible part, whereas dried figs contain 261 kcal per 100 grams.

Hence, we are dealing with one of the most suitable foods to eat both before and after engaging in sporting activity, as it´s an excellent way of replenishing your energy quickly.

It promotes the health of the digestive system

According to Regulation (EC) 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, this food has a high fiber content.

Insoluble fiber enhances bowel movements, which generates a laxative effect that helps prevent constipation. Soluble fiber, meanwhile, produces a gel effect in the intestines, promoting intestinal processes and digestion, while minimising the risk of suffering symptoms related to constipation, such as a bloated stomach and stomach ache.

Moreover, the high fiber content of this food prevents the absorption of all the carbohydrates and, at the same time, fights the stress generated through effort when exercising, by neutralising the effect of free radicals.

It takes care of your heart

The combination of figs and almonds has a healthy effect on your heart. Almonds contain 0.2 grams of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 type acid, per 100 grams.  

This is a type of oil that prevents and minimises the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular issues. Omega 3 will not only protect your heart, but it also provides the energy you require to work out.

Furthermore, it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power, largely due to the vitamin E in its composition.  

In turn, almonds have 7 g of omega 6 per 100 g.

Now that you are familiar with all the benefits of Pan de higo, what are you waiting for to include it in your sporting routine? Make the most of all the healthy and natural energy it provides and start to notice the differences compared to ultra-processed products.

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