Clif Builder’s: Chocolate

Made with an “entirely natural” formulation, Clif Builder’s: Chocolate delivers a solid dose of protein with a reasonable sugar load and good taste. While the undertone of soy protein emerges in the bar’s finish, the overall flavor resembles a brownie – a feat considering the bar’s mere 20 grams of sugar, 270 calories and absence of artificial sweeteners. From a texture standpoint, this bar offers a mixture of chewy and crunchy achieved by sandwiching a crumbled core between two layers of chocolate. Nutritionally, the line’s 20 grams of protein puts it solidly on the lighter side of protein bar territory. It also freights significant doses of 23 vitamins and minerals – including 100 percent of the FDA’s suggested daily consumption of vitamins C and E – and four grams of fiber. The bar’s brightly-colored packaging catches the eye, with the brand taking top billing above the Clif logo. While the flavor hangs at the far right of the label, each bar in the line boasts a different color, making one flavor easily distinguishable from another. Overall, this is a solid entry, pleasing in both flavor and nutrition panel.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Clif Bar: Spiced Pumpkin Pie

Spiced Pumpkin Pie is part of Clif’s “Seasonal Flavor” bars, meaning that it’s only going to be available for a limited time. Hitting the market right at the start of Fall is a good move for a pumpkin flavored bar – especially with execution that’s as solid as this. In terms of flavor, there’s the same base of organic oats and soybeans that you’ll find in the entire Clif flagship line. In this case, they’ve given it a pretty hefty pumpkin flavor (from dried pumpkin), some extra spice (we’re tasting cinnamon and maybe nutmeg flavors), and some added raisins. The bottom has a coating of white soy chocolate, which adds an indulgence factor to the product. All of these flavors meld together quite nicely, delivering something that definitely tastes like pumpkin pie, but without the guild. Nutritionally, this bar has loads of vitamins and minerals, 10g of protein, 5g of fat, and 5g of fiber, which is a nice plus on top of the bar’s enjoyable flavor. However, this product feels a lot more processed than some of Clif’s other bars, which is definitely the rest of the sugary chocolate glaze on the bottom. Regardless, it’s a nice seasonal effort. Same goes for the packaging, which has a snow capped mountain theme to signify this bar’s winter release. It’s an attractive and well executed approach. Overall, an enjoyable product that should be a hit this Fall and Winter.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Honest Foods: Cran Lemon Zest

Honest Foods’ Cran Lemon Zest bar is made with a base of whole oats, almond butter, and brown rice syrup, which results in a relatively dry consistency with a moderate amount of chew. It also contains nuts and dried fruit, which are ultimately what give it the cranberry and lemon zest flavors that the bar is named for. Cran Lemon Zest is pretty much spot on when it comes to expected flavor, with a mellow cranberry flavor that’s complemented nicely with the bit of lemon zest. As far as the size of the bar is concerned, this 1.9 ounce bar is certainly not the biggest bar on the market, but it’s also a more manageable size if you’re looking for something to snack on. Plus, it’s vegan, made with whole grains and contains protein, fiber, and omega-3. Packaging is simple and clean, with a clear plastic wrapper that lets you see what’s inside. We’re big fans of that approach, especially when a wholesome looking bar like this one is inside. Definitely give it a try.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clif Bar: Chocolate Almond Fudge

As far as Clif Bar products go, this is definitely one of the more indulgent tasting bars that we’ve sampled. It uses a base of organic oats and soy, which have been nicely paired with a strong dose of chocolate / cocoa flavor and a small dose of nuts to provide some crunch. Like most other Clif Bars, this product has a soft, but very chewy consistency, which helps give this product a feeling of substance. There’s a lot of stuff in this bar, including rolled oats, soy crisps, roasted soybeans, chocolate chips, nuts, and loads of added vitamins and minerals. The result is something that tastes great and has a lot of nutrition to it, including 10g of protein, 5g of fiber, and vitamins A,C,E,B1,B2,B3, and B6, just to name a few. On the exterior, the label is classic Cliff Bar, which makes it instantly recognizable. However, the use of the color red as the accent color isn’t what one would naturally choose for a bar called Chocolate Almond Fudge (maybe something dark or brown?). Overall, a very enjoyable and energizing bar.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Honey Stinger: Rocket Chocolate

Featuring a dry but chewy consistency that’s loaded with chocolate, the Rocket Chocolate flavor of Honey Stinger is a very enjoyable product. Like the other Honey Stinger products, the base is made with soy crisps and rolled oats, which add nutritional value and substance to the bar. Its flavored with chocolate chips, cooa,,and, of course, the “honey stinger” blend (honey, sea salt, water), before finally being coated with ground almonds. The flavor of the bar is spot on, with just the right amount of chocolate, crunch, sweet and salt. Nutritionally, the bar has 190 calories, 4.5g of fat, 2g of fiber, 10g of protein, and it’s loaded with vitamins and minerals. On the outside, they’ve given the product and aggressive, but wholesome theme that’s a nice alternative to the artificially formulated bars on the supplement aisle. Overall, a really enjoyable tasting and looking product that’s definitely got some substance to it.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elevate Me!: Espresso Cocoa Crunch

Billed as “The world’s simplest protein & fruit energy bar”, the flavor of this bar certainly lives up to this intention. Blending whey protein isolate, dates, organic raisins, apples, almonds, cranberries, cocoa, and coffee beans, the product has a very “raw” and homemade flavor to it. It has a dry but chewy consistency, with pleasant notes of dried fruit and nuts, followed by decent note of cocoa and a hint of coffee to the finish. All in all, it’s a very pleasant and satisfying bar to eat. Nutritionally, this bar has 230 calories, 6g of fiber, and 16g of protein, which is certainly enough substance for us. That leaves us with the packaging, which is the largest area for improvement. Specifically, there’s something that’s unappealing about the design, especially compared to the better designs of other players in the category. We’d probably say the same for the name, which sounds like something that’s more appropriate for a supplement product. Overall, very enjoyable flavor and nutrition, but needs work on the packaging.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jammy Sammy: Apple Cinnamon & Oatmeal

Like its counterpart, “Strawberry Jam & Peanut Butter”, this sandwich bar delivers excellent flavor in a nicely portioned size. Flavor wise, it tastes exactly like we would have expected based on the name of the product. There’s a lot of apple flavor that has a hint of cinnamon to the finish. The exterior has a nice oat flavor, with a consistency that’s like that of smooshed bread. Ultimately, it tastes very similar to the apple flavor that you’d expect to find in other mainstream products, such as cereal or oatmeal. That’s fine by us – and we think it will be a hit with kids as well. Packaging is colorful and clean, with an excellent design that gives of a credible vibe of nutrition and quality. The product is USDA Organic certified – and the logo is a key part of the front part of the wrapper. Overall, this is a very enjoyable and convenient product that’s sure to be something that will go over well with kids.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Calories: 100
Fat: 2g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Sugars: 10g

WildBar: Mountain Mint

Made with raw cacao and wild blue green algae, this gluten free, vegan, and USDA Organic bar is designed to be the “ultimate meal in a bar.” The bar, which is dark in color and has a dry but chewy consistency to it, has a lot of flavor to it, including cacao, mint, and macadamia nuts. Unfortunately, these flavors aren’t balanced well, resulting in a harsh, almost off putting, mint flavor that leaves a bad taste in your mouth (and a lingering aftertaste). Conceptually, we think it’s a good one, and some refinement to the recipe might make this a better tasting product. Otherwise, this bar is likely going to appeal to someone who’s really hell bent on adding blue algae (Crystal Manna and Blue Manna) to their diet. On the packaging front, this product’s wrapper design made us expect something very different than what was inside it. Specifically, the bright colors and emphasis on the mint leaf seemed to be somewhat of a head scratcher, while there are no visual aides to call out the other ingredients in the bar. That seems like a big mistake, especially since mint isn’t something that’s likely to whet the palate of too many bar shoppers. Overall, this bar needs work, both in packaging and flavor.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Calories: 185
Fat: 2g
Fiber: 14g
Protein: 5.5g
Vitamins: Vitamin B5: 9%, Vitamin D 3%, Vitamin E 8%, Magnesium: 2.5g, Copper 26%, Zinc 12%, Selenium 16%, Molybdenum 37%, Phosphorous 60%

Pure Protein: Blueberry Crumb Cake

This protein packed workout bar has two layers for your, uh, chewing pleasure. The soft blueberry pie filling stuff on top isn’t bad, but the “crumb cake” layer has the consistency of dried silly putty. Still, the maltitol in the vanilla yogurt coating gives it enough of a sweetness level for you to choke a bar down – while providing the non-fattening sugars that a carb-watcher needs. All in all, it’s not a bad change-up from the usual chocolate and vanilla protein bars.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Calories: 300
Fat: 10 g
Carbs: 29 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 28 g

Honest Foods: Maple Almond Crunch

The Maple Almond Crunch “Granola Plank” is definitely our favorite flavor of the Honest Foods lineup. The maple aroma is extremely inviting, and the flavor of the bar is awesome and enjoyable. However, Maple Walnut Crunch might be a more appropriate name as the bar has the distinct flavor of walnuts throughout the mix. There’s also a nice oat flavor to the bar, which helps give this bar its soft but crunchy consistency. Packaging is clean and attractive, with a clear front panel that lets you see the entire “plank” before purchasing. Plus, we like the size of the bar (3oz), which feels substantial and nourishing. Overall, an exceptional tasting bar that has a great balance of flavor, nutrition, and packaging.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Per serving (2 per bar)
Calories: 190
Fat: 7g
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 3g

Go Raw: Banana Bread Flax Bar

Think the world’s healthiest fruit leather. Or banana jerky. Either way, we think they’re on to something with this four-ingredient, sprouted organic flax seed product. Made with dried bananas, coconut, dates and the aforementioned sprouted flax, the thin bar has the initial consistency of cardboard but chews into a healthy dried banana treat. Packaging is cheap and simple – just a clear wrapper and a “go raw” label. It needs to be jazzed up, and have the certified organic label on top, but the inside product, with a combination of unique taste and simple healthy ingredients, is surprisingly addictive.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Calories: 110
Fat: 5 g
Carbs: 15 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 4 g

DDB Worldwide, San Francisco Named Agency of Record for SOYJOY(R)

Global Agency to Launch New Campaign for Whole Soy Product

NORTHRIDGE, Calif., March 27 /PRNewswire/ — Advertising agency DDB Worldwide in San Francisco has been named agency of record for SOYJOY(R), an all-natural, nutrient-rich snack baked with whole soy and real fruit. SOYJOY is owned by Los Angeles-based parent company Pharmavite(R) LLC. DDB will begin immediately creating and executing a multimedia advertising campaign for the product.

“DDB demonstrated great expertise and passion in the food and nutrition arena that came through in their strategy and creative work,” said Gary Kuchta, chief marketing officer for Pharmavite. “We are excited about the partnership and confident it will help us take SOYJOY to the next level.”

“We are thrilled to be selected as SOYJOY’s new agency partner,” said Lisa Bennett, DDB San Francisco Chief Creative Officer. “The team is energized and anxious to begin working on what will be a truly integrated campaign.”

The DDB team consisted of members from DDB, Tribal DDB and PhD all in San Francisco. DDB joins Pharmavite public relations agency of record Porter Novelli on the SOYJOY account. Both agencies are a part of Omnicom Group, Inc.

Pharmavite’s portfolio includes the Nature Made(R) vitamin, mineral, herb, and supplement brand – the number one selling broad-line brand of vitamins in the food, drug, mass, and club channels.

About Pharmavite

For more than 35 years, consumers and retailers have trusted Pharmavite for high-quality, research-based products that contribute to optimal health and overall wellness. As a provider of great-tasting, nutritious products, like SOYJOY, Pharmavite is dedicated to helping people lead healthier lives through nutrition education and awareness (Pharmavite.com).

ABOUT DDB

DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc (www.ddb.com) is the largest consolidated advertising and marketing services global network in the world, according to Advertising Age. DDB also has been frequently ranked as the most awarded agency network in the world by Creativity magazine and The Gunn Report, among others. With more than 200 offices in over 90 countries, the DDB group believes that creativity is the most powerful force in business, building enduring and powerful brand experiences that create TalkValue(TM), influence social communities and drive results. DDB Worldwide is part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).

SOURCE SOYJOY

Bobo’s Oat Bars: Original

The “Original” Bobo’s Oat Bar flavor is a soft and chewy bar that delivers a homemade, rolled oat flavor. It’s lightly sweetened with brown rice syrup, which also helps on the energy front, and the bar has a modest 180 calories and 6g of fat. The chewy consistency is pleasing to eat, although the bar is somewhat crumbly as the bar has minimal ingredients that bind it all together. This makes eating it on the go somewhat difficult as crumbs will certainly fall. Packaging is clean and attractive, with that homegrown look that we’ve come to love. Worth a try, but honestly, Bobo’s flavored bars are much more enjoyable.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Review: YouBar (YouBars.com)

YouBars.com is a “build of bar site” founded by and run by a mother (Ava) and son (Anthony) team in Los Angeles, CA. Read more

Honest Foods: Choco Peanut Butter

Using a base of baked whole oats and peanut butter, this bar has achieved a very desirable chewy consistency.  It’s loaded with flavor, with notes of peanut butter, oats, and chocolate throughout.  However, it’s also a bit on the sweet side, making it eat very much like a dessert product.  That’s fine by us, at least in moderation, especially since the execution of the bar is spot on. From a nutrition point of view, this 230 calorie bar has 10g of fat, 6g of protein, 4g of fiber and calcium and iron. Packaging is simple but attractive, with a wholesome feeling design between the “honest foods” name, the font treatment, and the clear wrapper that allows you to see what you are about to eat.  Definitely worth a try.

Rating: 4.5 of 5

Fullbloom Baking Company: 12 Grain Toasted Oatmeal Bar

This bar has a very dry consistency, so make sure you have some water nearby when you try it.  Flavor wise, this bar has a homemade taste that’s closer to an oatmeal raisin cookie than what we typically think of as a bar.  The twelve grains have definitely left their influence on this bar, although not in such a way that the product has an earthy flavor.  Instead, and as the name suggests, it’s really about the oats.  The addition of raisins and sesame seeds add a bit of dimension to the flavor, as does just the right amount of salt.   Nutritionally, this 150 calorie bar delivers 4g of fiber, 6g of protein, and a variety of vitamins and minerals.  Packaging is decent, but hard to read, with multiple text elements (“12 grain”, “oatmeal bar”, “Fullbloom Baking Co.”) competing for your eye without any one in particular winning out.  Still, we like the minimalist style of the wrapper, which allows you to view almost the entire bar before you try it.  Overall, very enjoyable flavor, but it’s a bit too dry for our liking.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Clif Kid Z Bar: Chocolate Brownie Bar

The Clif Bar “kid” line has been an intriguing one to us, mainly because the concept of creating a bar that satisfies the finicky palate of kids while still providing nutrition seems like a difficult task.  In the case of their “Z-bar Organic Chocolate Brownie” bar, we think they’ve made a valiant effort.  The moderately sweet bar has a noticeable whole grain flavor to the body.  Between the chocolate in the body and the drizzle on top, there’s enough chocolate flavor to satisfy the palate of kids of various ages (at least in our sampling).  However, the consistency of the bar was a bit dry, leaving the bar with a slightly tough mouth feel.  Nutritionally, this 120 calorie bar has 3g of fat, protein, and fiber.  It also has vitamins A,C, and B as well as calcium, and iron.  Packaging relies on the established Clif name, but otherwise has competing text modifiers in “Clif Kid” and “Z Bar.”   Removal of one of these would certainly make the presentation cleaner.  Overall, a nice tasting kids bar that achieves a good balance of flavor and functionality.