HEALTH: BE A PROTEIN PRO

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Have you ever wondered exactly how much protein you need each day?

Nancy Clark, a registered dietician and specialist in sports dietetics who has served as a nutritional consulate to the NBA's Boston Celtics, has this simple formula:

"Take you body weight and divide it in half," she said in an interview in the publication Athlon Sports & Life. "You want 0.5-0.8 grams of protein per pound (of that number)."

She says that one of the keys to protein intake is fueling your body as soon as you get hungry, especially after a workout or when you're having a busy day.

Protein bars are a great on-the-go option for those situations, and one of her favorites is Nature Valley XL Protein Mixed Nut. This super sized snack is especially satisfying when you crave some crunch. And it has 15 grams of protein. 

But ultimately her philosophy is that the ideal protein bar is the one that tastes the best to you and that you enjoy the most.