Method of preparing a confectionery product made of protein and carbohydrate materials present in a relative weight ratio higher than 1
The invention provides a method of making confectionery bar comprising a proteinaceous material and a carbohydrate material in a relative weight ratio higher than 1 (from 1:0 to about 1:0.999). The bar produced is very palatable and chewy and has good organolepetic properties. It may be coated (enrobed) or not as desired. The product of the invention provides a meal replacement for very low calorie diets, diet supplement or protein supplement, and may optionally comprise a carbohydrate material of low digestibility or indigestible nature.
1. A method of preparing a confectionery bar comprising a total protein content and a total carbohydrate content, the method comprising:
(a) mixing a protein material having a water absorption property of less than 2.5 grams of water per gram of protein at pH 5.5 and a carbohydrate material in aqueous form to form a plastic mass;
(b) extruding said mass through a cold extrusion apparatus to form a ribbon or a slab; and
(c) cutting said ribbon or slab to form a bar;
wherein said confectionery bar is homogenous, sufficiently soft to permit mastication and with a chewy texture and the ratio of total protein content to total carbohydrate content is greater than one.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said protein material comprises at least one protein-selected from the group consisting of soy protein, whole milk protein, casein, caseinate, whey protein, pea protein, wheat gluten, egg albumen and mixtures thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said carbohydrate does not include glycerol.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding at least one nutritional or pharmaceutical ingredient in step (a).