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"Anytime you make a food yourself, you have more control over what goes in it. It's the best way to avoid preservatives and artificial [ ingredients](/fooddiet/blogs/eatlikeme/2011/09/how-to-decode-the-ingredient-l). That's what I love about these homemade protein bars. When I ran cross country in college, my coach used to make these for us to eat on race day. They are packed with [ protein](/fooddiet/2012/06/protein-and-weight-loss) and taste great too, so I still like to make them from time to time as a [ snack](/fooddiet/2012/06/healthy-food-awards-snacks-slideshow#slide=1). If you like peanut butter, you'll love them too. Here's the recipe so you can give them a try![#image: /photos/57d8d357d3276fe232948147]||||||Protein-Packed Peanut Butter Bars:\\n\\n1 cup smooth peanut butter\\n\\n3/4 cup packed brown sugar\\n\\n1/2 cup Karo syrup (can sub honey or molasses instead)\\n\\n3 cups rolled oats\\n\\n3/4 cup Grape Nuts cereal\\n\\n1 cup protein powder\\n\\n\\n\\nCombine the first three ingredients in a glass bowl and heat in the microwave for three minutes or until melted, stirring after every minute. Add remaining ingredients to the heated mixture and stir to combine. Spray a square cake pan with nonstick cooking spray and then press the mixture into the bottom of the pan. Let cool. Cut into pieces and serve. Makes 16 servings.\\n\\n\\n\\n*Nutrition facts per serving:* 180 calories, 5 g fat, 28 g carb, 5 g fiber, 6 g protein.  \\nComments? Requests? Tweet me [@sarahjaneRD](http://www.twitter.com/sarahjanerd) or [@SELFmagazine](http://www.twitter.com/SELFmagazine) or find me on [SELF'S Facebook Page](http://www.facebook.com/selfmagazine)!\\n\\nRelated Links:\\n\\n[Why You Need Protein to Slim](/fooddiet/2012/06/protein-and-weight-loss)  \\n[Recipe: Peanut Butter-Berry Pie  \\n](/fooddiet/recipes/2012/08/peanut-butter-berry-pie)[Easy Slimdown Workout](/club)\\n\\n--\\n\\nFor daily nutrition tips follow SELF on [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/selfmagazine) and [Twitter](http://www.twitter.com/selfmagazine).\\n\\nGet SELF on your [iPad](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id421088847?mt=8) and [Kindle Fire](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063M1C6U)!"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.self.com/story/peanut-butter-protein-bar-recipe>