Protein Bar – Page 3 – The Celiathlete

March 20, 2013

The GFB (Gluten Free Bar) a protein bar worth biting into

Product: The GFB (Gluten Free Bar) Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bar – $1.99+

My friend Jenn loves me. No…really she does. Every now and again when I go to visit her, she drops a product that she found while out and about on the table for me. This protein bar is one of those little Jenn surprises.

I had never actually heard of The GFB (Gluten Free Bar) before she handed me one. She had spotted them at her local Meijer and thought of me (Awwww!) and decided to pick one up for me to try. After all, I often down protein bars prior to runs and I often visit her and drag her to my early morning races…so she is very well aware of this fact. But, while I had never heard of this brand before, The GFB came into existence back in 2010. The creaters were on a mission to create the world’s best gluten-free protein bar, focusing on ingredients and taste.

Jenn picked up The GFB (Gluten Free Bar) Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar for me. And why not? I love peanut butter and chocolate! And she is very, very, very aware of this fact. So, this has been in my snack drawer for a little while…but after working through the bars that came before it, this one got it’s chance to shine this past Sunday evening.

I was at a race in Frankfort, Kentucky. There aren’t a lot of places I can safely eat in Frankfort…so my roommate and I each packed protein bars to enjoy prior to the race. I grabbed The GFB (Gluten Free Bar) Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bar from my drawer and tossed it into my race day bag and headed out…in the cold, rainy weather.

We arrived in Frankfort, Kentucky and after killing some time with race packet pick-up, we ducked into the local coffee shop and took a seat in the corner. It was about 30 minutes before the race and we figured that it was time to eat something. We each pulled out our respective bars (she had a Luna Bar as she is not gluten-free) and I prepared to take my first taste of this latest protein bar in my collection.

The GFB (Gluten Free Bar) Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bar looks like a flattened Lärabar, honestly. Upon unwrapping it, I could easily make out the peanuts, brown rice, chocolate chips and flaxseed, all stuffed into the binding, which looks to be made up of dates, and sweetened with agave nectar. So, in a lot of respects, it is exactly like a Lärabar…but with a few more ingredients.

And…that’s what these tasted like too. If you like Lärabar’s, you’ll probably enjoy The GFB (Gluten Free Bar) as well. The Peanut Butter Chocolate one doesn’t exactly taste like peanut butter and chocolate…so if you are expecting something as amazing as a Reese’s…think again. My roommate tried a piece of it and said it reminded her of the treats she fed her horse when she used to ride.

I don’t know what that means…or what that says about her eating horse treats…but to me, these had a good texture. They were sturdy, but not solid. They were chewy without being too soft. And the flavors were like a mild Lärabar…perhaps with a little less date flavor. I liked being able to see some of the ingredients in the bar itself. And I love looking at ingredients on the bar and recognizing all of them.

But that was the point. The creators of The GFB (Gluten Free Bar) wanted to create a great-tasting product that people would look forward to eating and that didn’t pump you full of chemicals. You have to appreciate that sort of dedication. So, using simple ingredients, they provide a simple protein bar that you can feel good about eating and provides you with energy.

The GFB (Gluten Free Bar) Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar is 2.05 ounces of protein packed goodness. It is gluten-free, wheat-free, casein-free, dairy-free, all natural, vegan, low-sodium, and cholesterol free. These bars have no additives and no preservatives. There are no trans fats. They are a fantastic source of protein and Omega-3. The entire bar is 240 calories and has 10 grams of fat, mostly from nuts, so at least it is the healthy kind of fat. Unfortunately, this bar, probably due to the inclusion of chocolate, packs 14.5 grams of sugar. I try to keep my sugar consumption lower…so, this seems high for such a small bar. However, on the flip side, you are provided with 2.5 grams of fiber and 12 grams of protein. So, that will help you feel fuller longer.

And it did do it’s job. After eating the bar, I wasn’t hungry…even after the race. So, it succeeded in doing its job. Perfect fuel for the haul, that’s for sure. The flavor…isn’t the best I have ever tried, but it isn’t at the bottom of the list either. Would I purchase this again…yeah…I probably would at some point. But, while they set out to create the best tasting protein bar…it falls short when compared to other gluten-free options out there.

A decent protein bar though, when all is said and done. Not bad. Not bad at all. I would definitely be interested in trying the other flavors from The GFB (Gluten Free Bar).

The GFB (Gluten Free Bar) Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar (unwrapped)

March 17, 2013

Flavors all there in KIND Nuts & Spices Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt snack bar, but lacking in texture

Product: KIND Nuts & Spices Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Snack Bar – $1.99+

You can’t even imagine how disappointed I was with this KIND Bar. It had all the making of being something epic. Something that I would rank among my favorites. It was dark chocolate. It was nuts. It was salty and sweet. Right there…epic.

Yet…it just came out wrong. Not to the point of being bad. Not at all. This bar was in no ways disgusting or offensive. It just…lacked something. Something vital. And only after munching through my half of the bar did I come up with what it was…

Something chewy to bind it all together.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of nuts and dark chocolate. HUGE. But…that’s all this bar was. There was no filler to help give it that chewy texture I prefer when it comes to snack bars. This one was just nuts drizzled in dark chocolate, making it very crunchy, very brittle…and somewhat of a disappointment. But only texturally speaking.

Flavor-wise, this bar was on point! I mean, who doesn’t love decadent dark chocolate and the combination of sea salt and a variety of nuts? It’s salty meets sweet…which is, by far, my favorite type of snack to eat. This bar is packed with a blend of almonds, peanuts and walnuts. They are drizzled in dark chocolate, as well as having the bottom layer of the bar completely dark chocolate. It is then touched off with a smattering of sea salt.

EPIC.

Epic in flavor…but I just like something to chew. I don’t want a brittle snack bar. I want something that I can sink my teeth into and put a little effort into eating. Nuts and chocolate…perfect combination. But give me something else with it. Give me a binder of some sort that makes this more of a snack bar instead of a chocolate drizzled clump of nuts.

It seems nit-picky, I know…but this is just how I felt about it. I could make this at home…and be just as satisfied. I was hoping for the world…and ended up with a continent. Or something like that.

Nuts and dark chocolate…killer combo. Add that sea salt (unless, like my roommate you get a large chunk of it in a bite)…and it’s magical. But put them together without some sort of soft binder…and it just doesn’t work for me. Flavor and taste are awesome. Texture is lacking. For me.

This bar, nutritionally speaking, offers 200 calories to your diet. It will set you back 13 grams of fat for the day, but that’s mostly the healthy fat from the nuts. So, don’t panic. You get 7 grams of filling fiber and 5 grams of protein in each bar. This bar is gluten-free and cholesterol free as well. Not bad for a snack/protein bar. Not bad at all. My roommate and I split this and each had a bowl of cereal. And we headed out to the park so I could run for about 45 minutes while she walked. We were still full even after that workout. So…it does its job, that’s for sure. Even if you split it with someone.

So, while I did not, in fact, dislike this bar…it just wasn’t one of my favorite ones like I assumed it would be. A bit of a let down…yes. But…loved the flavor of each bite. Just wish it had a little bit more to it. That’s all.

KIND Nuts & Spices Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Snack Bar (unwrapped)

March 10, 2013

A love letter to Lärabar Über Bananas Foster snack bar

Product: Lärabar Über Bananas Foster – $1.99

Dear Lärabar Über:

While I have enjoyed all the previous three flavors in the Über line-up of sweet and salty fruit and nut bars, nothing has come close to matching the fantastic taste and flavor of your Bananas Foster version. I took one bite and died and went to heaven. This bar is so reminiscent of a delicious piece of banana bread that I hoovered the rest of it…savoring it as much as I could manage, but just wanting to eat more and more and more. It’s a good thing I left the box at home because I’d be tempted to eat all five bars. Calories be damned.

Seriously…where have you been all my life? And please…don’t ever leave me.

Love always,

OH. MY. GOD. IT. IS. SO. GOOD.

Okay…now that I have that out of my system, let me get down to the basics of this blog. A couple months ago, my local grocery store had every flavor of Lärabar Über on Manager’s Special. I could have grabbed so many more boxes than I did…and wish now that I had. But, being that, at the time, I was overladen with snacks and protein bars, I chose just to get one of each. After all, I had yet to try the Über line from Lärabar and wasn’t sure if I would like them or not. I actually had enjoyed, immensely, the previous three flavors: Cherry Cobbler, Apple Turnover, and the Roasted Nut Roll. The last in the line-up to near the expiration date was the box of Banana Foster bars.

Now…I love bananas because, well, I love them and I’m a runner…so therefore…I love them. Packing that flavor into an über delicious protein bar…SMART!! No…really. Because none of the other bars, for me, come close to rivaling this one in flavor. Immediately I know…banana. And, even better, the inclusion of the nuts and seasoning make it taste like an amazing slice of the best banana bread you have ever eaten. It was food porn in the best possible way. Snack time this coming week is going to be amazing.

So…here’s the basics…

The Lärabar Über Bananas Foster bar is completley gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher. Awesome. But let’s not stop there. It is made up of a variety of fruit and nuts. So, if you have nut allergies, this bar may not be the best choice. If you, however, do not have an allergy to nuts…this bar is awesome. The Bananas Foster bar contains simple ingredients that you will immediatley recognize. These are walnuts, almonds, brown rice syrup, dates, dried bananas, pecans, honey sea salt, and cinnamon. That’s it. No funky chemicals and no added preservatives. Nothing that you have to google to know what it is…and no ingredients you can’t pronounce. 100% naturally good and good for you.

As for the nutrition facts, a serving size is 1 bar. This bar packs the most calories of all 4 varieties, clocking in at 230 calories per bar. Also, on a sad realization…this bar also packs 17 grams worth of fat. YIKES!! While I do love my desserts, I try to keep things lower on the fat scale when it comes to snacks. This bar is low in sodium (140 mg), lower(er) on the sugar scale (8 grams), and packs 4 grams of protein per bar, thanks to the inclusion of all those nut varieties.

So, while high in calories and high in fat (but, as most of this fat comes from nuts, it is at least the healthy fat), it actually is rather nutritious. And I can see this being something I could eat prior to a shorter race (I usually split them with my roommate anyway).

What I loved so much about this bar is that it actually tastes like a treat. It’s like eating a dessert. And, I do suppose some could argue that at that calorie count, it pretty much is a dessert. But imagine the amount of sugar you are taking out, as well as all the butter and cream. Like I said…healthy fats here. It’s decadent without being unhealthy or rich. It’s just one amazing bite after the next. It’s a struggle to NOT devour it without savoring the flavor. It really is that good. The Web site describes them as ‘bananamzaing.’ No kidding. This bar is bananas! And bananas…is good.

Lärabar Über Bananas Foster Snack Bar (unwrapped)

March 2, 2013

The KIND-ness of snack bars for a non-stop, whirlwind Disney World vacation

This past week, I found myself in Disney World. Why? To run the Disney Princess Half Marathon, of course. But I knew that there would be times where food might be an issue for me…especially when mid-day hunger strikes while out at the park. There was no guarantee that I’d find something that I could eat. So, I traveled prepared, as always. And thanks to the KIND bars that I ordered with my Groupon, I had quite a few on hand with me on my trip and in the parks.

This entry is a little more unconventional than my normal product reviews…because I am going to review three bars in one post. Why? Because it makes life a little easier on me…and doesn’t mean multiple entries for you, my dear readers, to page through.

We both win.

So…without further adieu…

KIND Fruit & Nut Almond & Coconut Snack Bar

Product: KIND Fruit & Nut Almond & Coconut Bar – $1.99+

I admit…when I first pulled this bar out of the cube, I was less than thrilled. While I do appreciate the flavor of coconut in things, I wasn’t sure if the coconut would overwhelm the entire flavor of the bar. But…I figured there was only one way to find out. That morning before heading out to Animal Kingdom, I packed the Almond & Coconut Snack Bar from KIND’s Fruit & Nut line and hoped for the best. My roommate and I would be splitting it, so at least if we didn’t like it…we’d only have half to eat.

When we did bust out the bar for a snack and split it in half…we both took a bite…

And…were both surprised. Full of great flavor. Sort of like eating an Almond Joy…without the chocolate coating. Yeah…I was impressed and I devoured. No hesitation. No complaints. The hint of coconut flavor was perfect.

This bar contains almonds, coconut, honey, crisp rice, and chicory root fiber, all of which are bound together and create a great salty-sweet snack bar. I thought all of the ingredients worked well together. The bar wasn’t overly sticky nor was it messy to eat. And the flavor was spot-on!

The Almond & Coconut Snack Bar has 190 calories for the entire bar and 12 grams of fat. It is low in sodium, having only 25 mg. In addition, the entire bar has 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, making it quite filling. While this bar has 12 grams of sugar, which I consider a lot…it at least has less than a candy bar would…so I give KIND that much.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed this one!

KIND Fruit & Nut Almond & Coconut Snack Bar (unwrapped)

Product: KIND Plus Blueberry Pecan + Fiber Snack Bar – $1.99+

The next day at Disney brought about a similar scenario. My roommate and I were hitting up Magic Kingdom and we knew that it was going to be awhile between breakfast and dinner…so we needed a couple of snacks to fulfill any mid-day cravings that could not be satisfied by Dole Whip (hehehe). Of course, before even hitting the Magic Kingdom, I had a race expo to attend so I could pick up my race packet and do some necessary shopping. This actually took much longer than I anticipated…and so…we ended up hitting Magic Kingdom right about lunch time.

So after getting through bag check and entering the park, we spotted a parade going on. This gave us a good excuse to stop and enjoy a bite to eat. This time…I packed the KIND Plus Blueberry Pecan + Fiber Snack Bar. This one I was really, really excited about. Why? Because in my mind, I was certain it was going t taste like blueberry pie. And why wouldn’t it? One of my favorite berries and one of my favorite nuts…all in one bar. HELLO!

Well, we tore into this one and we both couldn’t agree more…that my assessment without tasting it was spot on now that we both had a bite. Blueberry pie. All the way. And…oh…was it ever delicious!! The bar was another perfect blend of sweet and salty. And every bite reminded me of a homemade blueberry pie. Delicious…fantastic…and tasty. We both devoured this one in record time and commented on how we would never hesitate to purchase that one from the store. YUM!

The KIND Plus Blueberry Pecan + Fiber Snack Bar contains almonds, pecans, honey, blueberry pieces (a mix of blueberries, sugar, apples, plums, apple juice, pectin, and natural blueberry flavor, cashews, raisins, chicory root fiber, and crisp rice. This gives it a fantastic texture and amazing flavor when all combined to make the bar.

In addition, this particular snack bar has only 190 calories for the entire bar and 12 grams of fat. Each bar packs a protein punch of 4 grams and contains 5 grams of hunger-quenching fiber. Awesome. Even better, this bar has only 9 grams of sugar. I love that. And the sodium is only 20 mg.

This one was a total winner!

KIND Plus Blueberry Pecan + Fiber Snack Bar (unwrapped)

Product: KIND Plus Almond Cashew with Flax + Omega 3 Snack Bar – $1.99+

After my race, my roommate and I were hitting up Hollywood Studios…and since I had run 13.1 miles, I figured the munchies would totally strike. And they did. Right on cue just as we settled in to watch the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (of which I was selected to be an extra and participate in the show), we both agreed it was time to feed our bellies something. So, as usual, we pulled out the snack bar we packed for the occasion. And it seemed like it would be as epic as the prior ones.

I mean…cashews…almonds…yummy!! Love both of those nuts. But…

Yes…this one has a but…

It really wasn’t all that spectacular. I mean, given that it was made up of almonds, cashews, dates, honey, flax seeds, macadamias, vanilla extract, and chicory root fiber, it had the makings of one epic bite after another. But this one really lacked flavor. And it had a weird aftertaste that I didn’t care for at all. I wasn’t impressed. I ate my half. My roommate at her half. But we were underwhelmed and disappointed. Thankfully, the race provided a box of goodies that were all gluten-free…and it had a different brand of protein bar in it…that was much tastier…so we washed this one down by splitting that one. And it was much better.

So…this one…for me…was a fail in flavor. It just wasn’t good. Not one bit.

That being said, the entire bar has 190 calories and 11 grams of fat. The bar has 4 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. The sugar level is at 11 grams. But this bar has no sodium and no cholesterol. A healthy choice, to be sure, but not a very flavor-filled one. And, I appreciate flavor way too much to let that slide.

This bar could have been amazing…but sadly…it wasn’t.

KIND Plus Almond Cashew with Flax + Omega 3 Snack Bar (unwrapped)

And those were the three bars that I devoured at Disney World. Two winners, and one that I would never buy on my own. Never. Not a bad record to have. KIND is doing well so far. Only two haven’t wowed me of the ones I have tried out of the box. And I still have three more to go.

March 2, 2013

PROBAR Lemon Fruition bar a super-delish superfood snack

Product: PROBAR Lemon Fruition Snack Bar – $1.45+

I have my favorite running store to thank for the random purchase I made of a PROBAR Lemon Fruition snack bar. It was up by the register as I was making a purchase of another amusing BondiBand or something of the sort. Lemon. Gluten-Free. Healthy. SOLD. Literally. Out of the display and onto the counter for purchase. This happily returned home with me.

But I am the ultimate hoarder of snack bars (not really…I just buy them en masse) and some are way better than others. But you have to take that chance and buy one before you can decide whether it was worth the money or not. So into the drawer this went while I went through those that came before it.

But last week as I was gearing up to head to Disney World for a half marathon, I was trying to not buy snack foods for work. So, the items in my pantry and snack bar drawer were what I was working with. Lo and behold…the next one up was this little lemony delight.

PROBAR Fruition is the newest and latest gluten-free addition to the PROBAR lineup. This snack bar is entirely fruit-based and designed to be satisfying without extra fat and calories. You gotta love that. In fact, each bar guarantees one complete serving of fruit, only 160 calories, 4 grams of filling fiber, 2 grams of fat, gluten-free, and that it is loaded with antioxidants and omegas from the addition of chia seeds. These bars are also certified organic. Love that.

All day I had been anticipating my little lemony afternoon snack. I mean…I love, love, LOVE lemon. In case that wasn’t clear enough…I LOVE LEMON!! So, the knowledge that this was stashed in my desk drawer waiting on that 3 p.m. snack time to strike was anticipation enough. And when it finally came…I tore into it. Pausing only momentarily to take a picture.

Lemon. Oh yes…there is lemon. Amazing lemon flavor that is very well balanced by the other ingredients that make up the bar. In fact, it is the perfect blend that keeps the lemon flavor prominent, but not overpowering. Seriously. Delicious.

The PROBAR Lemon Fruition bar is composed of organic date paste, brown rice syrup, cashews, gluten-free oats, gluten-free oat bran, chia seeds, and natural lemon flavor. One bite…that’s all it took. I was hooked. I had to share a small piece with my roommate so I could get her opinion as well. And she also gave a nod and actually said it was “really good” instead of her “That’s pretty good.” or “It’s okeedokey.” That meant this had potential. And it really does. The taste is amazing. The texture is soft, but not overly soft. You won’t be sitting there chewing continuously and wondering when you can take your next bite. It’s a perfect blend and a perfect combination.

The lemon flavor of this bar lingers on the tongue and really lasts even after you’ve swallowed…all just inviting you to take another bite and experience it all over again. The sweet, tangy, citrus flavor is awesome and meshes beautifully with the oats and cashews, which provide not just texture but a savory flavor to balance toe tartness. This is a true lemon-lover’s dream bar.

At first glance, this bar seems very healthy by all aspects. As mentioned before, the entire bar is only 160 calories and contains only 2 grams of fat. The protein punch this bar packs is 3 grams. The filling fiber stands at 4 grams, while the sodium content settles for a very impressive, low 10 mg. However…I’m a bit disconcerted at the 18 grams of sugar that is listed on the label. Sure, much of it comes from the fruit, I’m certain…but that’s a lot of sugar to pack into one bar…no matter how amazing it tastes. But, we all make some sacrifices somewhere. I try to keep my sugar intake a bit lower as an athlete…but 18 grams in one snack bar, while a little higher than I like, isn’t too bad.

So, when it comes down to it, I’d be more than happy to try another PROBAR Fruition in one of the seven flavors that are offered. These bars not only come in lemon…but also cherry, blueberry, cran-raspberry, peach, strawberry, and the newest addition…chocolate orange. This snack is definitely a superfood powerhouse and one that I am proud to say…I truly enjoyed.

Time to hit up my running store to see what other flavors they have in stock.

February 19, 2013

Greens Plus Vegan Dark Chocolate, Almond & Blueberry Crisp bar a huge disappointment

Product: Greens Plus Vegan Dark Chocolate, Almond & Blueberry Crisp Bar – $2.29+

You know that fake, almost medicinal taste you get when you bite into a protein/snack bar…and that fruity part tastes…just off or wrong? That’s about how I felt when I took a bite into my latest snack at the office.

It was all my grocery store’s fault, you see. This bar was on sale and it was one of two flavors that caught my attention. I ate the other one last week…and it wasn’t very tasty either. I was hoping that the addition of fruit with the dark chocolate might tip the scale in the other direction. After all, dark chocolate and fruit just kicks booty.

Part of me was hisitant, just because the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Crisp bar was seriously lacking in flavor…and quite reminiscent of a Quaker Granola Bar or a Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Bar. It was…okay…but it lacked that “WOW” factor that I seek when I actively seek out new protein/snack bars for either my running days…or snacks at the office in the afternoon. Normally, they are run fuel…but if I don’t get to them before the expiration date comes close…I take them for snack.

So…with the memory of last week’s bar in my mind, I took a tentative bite. I didn’t get the lack of flavor that the peanut butter one had. This one definitely had a taste…and at first…it was good…tolerable. And then…it tasted fake. That weird medicinal flavor that fruit bars sometimes have. It was definitely the blueberry portion of the bar…but the dark chocolate helped to smooth out that taste. Thank goodness the dark chocolate was present in the taste of this bar. It needed that hit of dark, bitter chocolate. The almonds also helped to smooth everything out. But that blueberry flavor tasted so fake…so wrong…that it was sort of an issue for me with each bite.

My roommate agreed. I sneaked a small piece over to her at the office and she agreed with the bizarre taste that came with the blueberries. So, it was nice to hear that it wasn’t just me.

This bar is rather basic…being composed of organic dark chocolate, organic tapioca syrup, organic whole grain brown rice crisps, chia seeds, almond butter, pea protein crisps, organic dried blackberries, almonds, brown rice syrup solids, organic arabic gum, organic agave syrup, vegetable glycerine, safflower oil, vanilla extract, sea salt, natural flavors. So, a few odds and ends in there…not completely all-natural.

One bar will set you back only 16o calories and 8 grams of fat. Only 7 grams of sugar (awesome!) and 5 grams of protein are packed into this bar. I love that it is so low in the sugars as most snack/protein bars bulk up on the sugar. This bar is also cholesterol free and is very low in sodium (only 70 mgs). Love that.

So, while this bar is awesome as far as the nutrition aspect goes…the flavor is just all wrong for me. I won’t be buying this one again. It was good to try something new…but sadly…this new product didn’t win me over with either flavor of bar I tried. The texture is awesome…but the flavor just was all wrong.

I think, in fact, despite there being a couple more flavors out there, I’m done with the Greens Plus brand all together. They have failed to win me over twice now.

Greens Plus Vegan Dark Chocolate, Almond & Blueberry Crisp Bar (unwrapped)

February 15, 2013

Protein packed Greens Plus Vegan Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Crisp falters with taste

Product: Greens Plus Vegan Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Crisp Protein Bar – $2.29+

Normally, when a gluten-free product makes it into my shopping basket, it’s because there is some sort of sale going on. Such was the case, then, when my roommate discovered protein bars that are soy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free at our local Earth Fare store. As I often use these to fuel my runs or refuel after my runs, protein bars are never in short supply in my kitchen ‘run’ drawer. Trust me. There is such a variety in there, I sometimes have a hard time deciding which to go with next.

While most are tried and true favorites, sometimes it’s fun to try a new product.

And that’s what happened when these bars were on sale at Earth Fare a couple months ago. I selected two, because I didn’t want to stock up on something and then hate it with an intensity that I just ended up trashing them all and calling myself a bargain buying fool. Hey…it has happened before! I’m a bit more mindful of the situation now.

As I am also aware, this bar was approaching it’s sell by date, so I figured it was time to devour it and see if it was worth the investment. So, knowing that after running this morning and then doing some speed work/intervals on lunch, a protein bar would be a good pick-me-up snack for the afternoon, I packed this one for the office…with some not as healthy items to use as back-up if needed. Trust me…I’ve been burned enough by nasty tasting snacks that I come prepared…just in case.

When my 3 p.m. snack time did roll around, I pulled the Greens Plus Vegan Proten Bar from my snack drawer and peeled the wrapper open. It reminded me a lot of what Quaker Granola Bars look like…but on a bit of a larger scale…and minus the wheat, milk, soy and high fructose corn syrup that comes with each bite of a Quaker Granola Bar.

Instead, this vegan protein bar from Greens Plus combines organic peanut butter, brown rice, pea protein, and chia seeds with organic dark chocolate. And…for the first time, I didn’t cringe at the calorie count of a protein bar. So often, these top off near the 200 or more calorie margin. Not this one. Despite including peanut butter and dark chocolate, one bar delivers 170 calories toward your daily intake and 8 grams of fat. One bar also delivers 5 grams of protein. Sugar is not off the charts either. This particular bar, despite having dark chocolate in it, only contains 7 grams of sugar. Thanks to the addition of chia seeds, it also provides a huge Omega 3 punch. All of this makes it the perfect bar for athletes, travelers, students, or whoever might need a meal supplement or snack to get them through the day.

So, drawing in a huge breath and repeating…”Please be good, please be good, please be good…” I broke off a small piece and took my first taste.

I was immediately underwhelmed.

It’s not bad. I didn’t spit it out or wrinkle up my face in disgust when it crossed my taste buds. On the contrary, I ended up taking another bite, figuring that it really did remind me of something I have tasted before. I broke off a piece and walked it to the other side of the office for my roommate to try. She agreed that they did taste like something…but couldn’t pinpoint it at first. Then said it reminded her of a Luna Bar. She might be right. Before I had to go gluten-free, Luna Bar’s were my go-to snack for on-the-go snacking. And this might be reminiscent of one of them. It also kind of does remind me of those Sweet and Salty granola bars from Nature Valley, now that I think of it.

But…even my roomie said it. When she took her taste, she didn’t immediately think dark chocolate and peanut butter. What you really get first are the rice crisps. Then maybe a hint of peanut butter. Then…that bittersweet taste of chocolate. But…not strong. And definitely not where you’d immediately recognize it upon first bite. This wasn’t horrible by any means. In fact, the bar is one of the better ones I have tried on a whim…which is definitely saying something.

But would I actively seek this one out again in the grocery store? No. Would I purchase it again if it were on sale…maybe…but probably not. It wasn’t bad…it just wasn’t amazing either. And when you are a lactose intolerant, gluten-free, vegetarian athlete…you really want something that you like to eat when you need the protein fix.

I appreciate the effort Greens Plus puts into these bars, ensuring they are vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free…I just wish they flavor had been as amazing as all of that sounds.

Green's Plus Vegan Peanut Butter And Dark Chocolate Crisp Protein Bar (unwrapped) — Greens Plus Vegan Peanut Butter And Dark Chocolate Crisp Protein Bar (unwrapped)

February 12, 2013

KIND-a underwhelmed by KIND Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants Bar

Product: KIND Plus Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants Snack Bar – $1.99+

When you think cranberries…you think big, bold, tart flavor, yes? I know I do. Trust me…I’ve eaten my fair share of things with cranberry in them. Even got some fresh cranberries in my CSA bin around Thanksgiving this year and turned them into a fantastic dessert. So…cranberries don’t scare me off. I know they can bring a lot to a dish if utilized properly.

But, that is where I feel something went wrong in this variety of the KIND Plus Snack Bar.

I already had my doubts. Because, while I eat cranberries…they aren’t my most favorite thing in the world. In small doses, yes…that’s fine. But, here…they were sharing the show with almonds…but when you gaze at the bar, you see lots of the sticky redness that would be the cranberries that make up this snack.

I figured, however, I would put my preconceptions of the bar on hold and allow it to speak for itself.

And it had its chance on Sunday…when I tore into it prior to a 9 mile long run for training. I split this in half with my roommate, because I always value her opinion and we were going for brekkies after I ran…so it would be a light breakfast for both of us, but still give me enough energy to at least get through 9 miles of indoor running hell (it was raining…so it was dreadmill (treadmill) and track time for me!). BAH!

So, before my first bite, this bar did have some things going for it. For one thing…the addition of antioxidants, brought about by the inclusion of numerous vitamins (A, C, & E…of which I think would come from the cranberries. In fact, KIND’s Web site claims that this bar contains 50% of the recommended daily intake of these three vitamins, which help fight free radicals and help maintain the immune system and healthy skin. Well…that is, indeed, a plus.

Aside from that, this KIND Plus bar is a blend of almonds, dried cranberries, macadamias, honey, non-GMO glucose, crisp rice, chicory root fiber, and sunflower oil. I mean…that doesn’t sound offensive at all. And, in fact, my co-worker ate this one the other day. She said it was pretty good, and she doesn’t like cranberries…but also said…it wasn’t that great and that she wouldn’t get it again if given the option.

So, Sunday morning, I had my own taste.

And I agree with my co-worker.

I really, really wanted to like this one. I mean, my co-worker and I spent good money on this box…I want to like every bar inside of it. But the fact of the matter was…this one was just…bland. Yes! BLAND! A bar with cranberries in it…was bland. The flavor was totally lacking, which was a huge disappointment for me. If I am eating something, I want to taste every component of it. But I didn’t get much of anything with this one.

And, unlike the previous one I had the day before, this one was very sticky and chewy, which is okay…but I prefer to be able to hold it without needing a napkin or a good wash of my fingers afterwards. Just sayin’.

With all of this in mind, let’s give a little nutritional walk through of this bar. An entire bar only serves up 190 calories, so it’s great for a snack of quick on-the-go breakfast. The bar contains 13 grams of fat, which most of which would come from the nuts…so at least it is the healthy kind. With the inclusion of the nuts, you also get a fair amount of fiber (3 grams) and protein (4 grams), which helps your body feel full. And, for being a snack bar, the sodium level is low, sitting pretty at 25 mgs. With only 11 grams of sugar, this really is a healthier choice than many of the snack bars out there.

It’s just…lacking in the flavor aspect. And if something doesn’t wow me at first taste…I’m not going to bother with it again.

So, from the KIND box…I’ve had one bar that I’ve really enjoyed and one that I’ve not enjoyed. So…we’re half and half so far.

If you like cranberries…this bar might be for you. I’m not a huge fan of cranberries, but I do eat them…and surprisingly, it was the lack of cranberry flavor that I disliked most. Where I expected tart…I got sweet…and not even enough of that to really satisfy. I know there are always bound to be flavor duds in a combo pack. Sadly, for me, it was the KIND Plus Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants Snack Bar. Disappointed? Totally. And definitely not going to seek this one out to buy on its own.

KIND Plus Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants Snack Bar (unwrapped)

February 10, 2013

Low sugar, a hint of spice, and everything nice in KIND Bar’s Madagascar Vanilla Almond bar

Product: KIND Madagascar Vanilla Almond Nuts & Spices Bar – $1.99+

You know what’s awesome about KIND Bars? How filling they are. And a lot of that stems back to the ingredients that go into each bar. Now, I’ve sampled a few of these, but a Groupon came over not too long ago and my coworker and I decided to split the difference and get it. So, we ended up purchasing the KIND Cube, which included 16 bars…2 of a variety of flavors.

When it arrived, we each took our share and she began to sample a different one each day. As I go to work with my snacks already planned, I decided to hang onto mine for important mornings…such as race mornings.

Today…was a race morning.

The Snowman Shuffle 4 Miler was running in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday morning, and after downing some cereal and a cup of coffee at home (along with some water for hydration), my roommate and I set out to hit Cherokee Park in time to find parking, get my packet, get stretched out, and get running. But, with most race mornings, I normally find myself starving at the start or during it if I don’t eat something at least an hour beforehand.

As we arrived at the park, I was already tearing into the KIND Bar she chose to split that morning. It was the Madagascar Vanilla Almond bar. Very intriguing. I wasn’t sure what to make of it…but none of the ingredients sounded offensive to my senses…so…I tore off the wrapper and had her take a picture of it (she needs to work on how close she puts the camera, LOL!). And then, I broke it in half, gave her a share of it…and we headed toward packet pickup, happily noshing on the bar.

And we both agreed…YUMMMMMMMMY!

The Madagascar Vanilla Almond bar is actually more than just almonds…so if you are allergic to other nuts, but not almonds, be aware…this one actually has more than the name lets on. In fact, the bar is composed of a blend of almonds, peanuts, cashews, and walnuts, mixed with honey, non-GMO glucose, chicory root fiber, crisp rice, Madagascar vanilla, and soy lecithin. Okay, so some of the ingredients don’t sound as appealing when listed out like that…but trust me…when they are all put together, KIND Bar magic happens.

The Madagascar Vanilla Almond Bar is part of KIND’s Nuts and Spices collection. And here is the best part…it is a perfect balance of sweet and salty. My biggest concern leading up to my first bite was that it was going to be way too sweet. And something sweet is good…but doesn’t always sit right just before a race. Thankfully, the vanilla didn’t overpower the bar itself. It complimented the mix of nuts and crisp rice. The honey helped bind it all together. This bar wasn’t terribly sticky so nothing felt like it was catching in my teeth or getting my fingers too sticky to put my gloves back on. It was really balanced and really, really delicious.

Nutritionally speaking, KIND Bar’s are a perfect way to go…especially for protein and the like. In the Madagascar Vanilla Almond variety, the entire bar contains 210 calories and 16 grams of fat. If that seems high, keep in mind that this fat is brought about by the nuts, so it is actually the healthy sort. The sugar content in this bar is very low, sitting nicely at 4 grams. And the protein is awesome, with this bar offering 7 grams of it. Awesome. With 15 mg of sodium, this makes for a healthy choice for breakfast or a snack. And with 5 grams of fiber, it will keep you feeling full.

And…just eating half this bar about an hour before a very chilly run…I can attest that this is true. I wasn’t hungry before or during the run at all. My appetite only began to kick in after I ran, waited in the cold for awards, and finally hopped in the car to get brunch at my favorite allergen-free bakery.

KIND Nuts & Spices bars are part of a line of bars that are crafted from the highest quality of whole nuts and some of the best spices found in nature. These bars are an indulgent treat, providing natural protein, fiber, and only 5 grams of sugar (or less) in each bar. There is nothing artificial in any of these bars. Even better, all of KIND’s products are gluten-free and produced in a certified, dedicated gluten-free facility. Love that!

So…next time you are in need of a delicious, nutritious, filling snack that is portable and just as yummy as ever…reach for a KIND bar. I highly recommend the salty-sweet taste of the Madagascar Vanilla Almond bar. I would purchase this one again in a heartbeat.

KIND Madagascar Vanilla Almond Nuts & Spices Bar (unwrapped)

January 24, 2013

Überly Nuts over Lärabar Über Roasted Nut Bar

Product: Lärabar Über Roasted Nut Roll – $1.99+

You know…I’m a nutty person. No…for real.

So, it should come as no surprise whatsoever that I fell completely head over feet in love with the Lärabar Über Roasted Nut Roll fruit and nut bar. I mean…honestly…what’s not to love?

Confession time – today was not the first time I ever ate one of these. Honestly, I was in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania at a convenience store/gas station…and in desperate need of a snack. Aside from a fruit cup, I was finding very little that this gluten-free girl could eat. And then…I spotted a stash of the Roasted Nut Roll Lärabar Über’s…and I grabbed it.

Like I said…I was a hungry girl in the middle of nowhere, so no pictures were taken. But…this bar ROCKS!! I loved it then…and I loved it even more today as I settled in for my 3 p.m. snack time.

It’s sort of nice to come into snack time on a new snack and know, for sure, that it will be delicious. I have been burned a few times by sub-par gluten-free products. But Lärabar is a name I trust. Every flavor I have ever had has been good…some great…quite a few more delicious…but this one…this one is pure awesomeness.

What I think makes this bar so amazing is that perfect balance of sweet and salty.

Even more…I think it’s the fantastic inclusion of so many varieties of nuts that gives it that super nutty flavor. The Lärabar Über Roasted Nut Roll contains a fantastic mix of roasted almonds, cashews, roasted peanuts, pecans and macadamia nuts. YUM!! It’s like a Planters Mixed Nut blend…but healthier…and sweeter. Why sweeter? Because in addition to the nuts, the bars also contain brown rice syrup, dates and honey. Add a dash of sea salt…and what you get is über perfection. The perfect blend of sweet and salty. Honestly…it was hard not to just shove the entire bar in my mouth and chew it until it was gone.

I think you can pretty much guess how I feel about these. And as far as nutrition facts go…these bars contain 220 calories per bar and 16 grams of fat. So…definitely not the healthiest of options…but still amazing and good. They have 5 grams of sugar and only 7 grams of sugar, which is awesome. At least the fat in this bar comes from the nuts…which means it is at least they are healthy fats.

Oh yeah…these are just yumminess personified. Trust me…buy these. Buy these now.

Lärabar Über Roasted Nut Roll (unwrapped)