NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix bar a protein packed, healthy, on-the-go snack

Product: NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar – $3.29+

You know what’s hard?

Being gluten-free and traveling.  Especially when the tummy rumbles hit while sitting at an airport.  There are few, if any, gluten-free options as far as restaurants go…except, perhaps, a salad.  Maybe.  If it’s not pre-made with bits of pita or croutons in it.  A fruit cup, perhaps.  But that’s not going to fill you up.

Well, the hungry belly hit me at the airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota when I was killing some time before my flight back home left.  I was already thirsty, so my roommate and I trolled the terminal until she spotted a Quiznos to grab some fountain drinks from.  I stood and watched the luggage and when she returned with some cold caffeine, she handed me a NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix bar that she purchased at the register.  She was going to find a nibble at one of the shops, but wanted me to have something of some nutritious value without having to down a Snickers bar.

Dark chocolate and nuts…I was okay with that.

But there was more to this bar than just that.  Oh yes.  After obtaining a snack for her, we returned to our gate and settled in to have our bite before heading to Chicago O’Hare to meet our connection.  I tore into the wrapper and revealed a standard looking granola bar.  However, what this bar contained was nothing like those granola bars, which are normally packed with preservatives and high fructose corn syrup.  None of that here.  The NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar was a delicious combination of rice protein crisp, organic brown rice crisp, real dark chocolate, almonds, tapioca syrup, brown rice syrup, agave, chicory root fiber, dried cranberries, rice protein, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, water, acacia gum, flaxseed oil, water, salt, walnuts, and baking soda.  That’s it.  Every ingredient something I recognize.  No chemical names.  Nothing that screams cancer-causing badness either.  Just wholesome good food…wrapped up in a vegan and gluten-free treat.

Now, I’ve had my fair share of these bars.  Some have been completely amazing.  And some have really failed to impress me at all.  So, where does the NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar stand?

I devoured it if that is any indication.  Honestly…amazing flavor.  Every bite had a little bit of salty-sweet to it.  It kept the palate interested.  And I kept going back for another bite…savoring…yet devouring.  It was the perfect snack.

And that’s not far from the truth.  This particular bar only packed 190 calories into it, but provided 9 grams of protein and only 5 grams of fat.  Low fat and protein packed?  It’s this runner’s dream come true.  This bar was also low in sodium…even with the nuts and seeds included.  I loved that too.  It was a treat and didn’t spoil the athlete’s diet either.

I have one more of these bars, a different flavor, tucked away in my running snacks drawer at home.  And now…I can’t wait to rip into it and see how it compares.  I was completely won over by the delicious, natural flavors that were packed into this bar.  NuGo Free…you have definitely won me over with this bar.  Thank you for getting rid of my airport hunger, for getting me to O’Hare where I had a couple more options (although I ended up eating Garrett Popcorn…I admit it!), and for showing me how delicious your brand is.  Nutritious, delicious, and allergen friendly.  I’m sold.