Greens +: Omega-3 Chia Energy Bar Chocolate

Omega-3 Chia Energy Bar Chocolate has one of the longest ingredient lists of any bar we’ve ever tried. The chief components to it are dates, almond butter, chia seed, honey and the company’s Greens Plus powder (a mix of over 20 green ingredients such as a spirulina and wheat grass). The use of Chia seed is what really differentiates this bar. More than just the green sprouts on cute ceramic figures as seen on TV, Chia is a species of flowering plant in the mint family that is native Mexico and Guatemala. Chia is grown commercially for its seed, which yields 25-30% oil when ground, mostly α-linolenic acid (ALA). As a result, this bar contains 1.5g of omega-3 and .5 g of omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential to the human diet. The flavor of the bar is quite good considering all they cram into it. The date/chia mix gives a texture that is not unlike the inside of a Fig Newton, while the chocolate on the outside is quite good.  Our main issue with this bar is the label. The words are stacked on each other on the front panel in such a way that it is hard to figure out what flavor this bar is. Overall, great nutrition, good taste but horrible presentation.

3 out of 5 stars

PowerCrunch: Triple Chocolate

PowerCrunch’s Triple Chocolate “protein energy bar” is a very unique product bar that’s both enjoyable to eat and functional.  The bar is a “crème filled wafer bar”,  which is something that we’ve only seen in cookies and candy bars.  Compared to other protein bars that have a really tough chew to them or eat like cardboard, this bar is light and flaky with a crisp crunch to the finish.    The bar is sweetened with a blend of sugar, fructose, and stevia, which keeps the carbs low (4g of sugar) and the flavor still on point.  It also features 13g of protein from ProtoWhey, which the manufacturer claims is designed exactly to the specifications of human metabolism.   Otherwise, the bar has 210 calories, 13g of fat, 195mg of potassium, 80mg of sodium, 5% RDA of iron, and 1g of fiber.    The wrapper is clean, but feels slightly generic, which might result in this product not being overly memorable or standing out from the crowd.    However, if a consumer does try it, we’re pretty sure they’ll be hooked.  Overall, one of the best protein bars that we’ve ever sampled.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Fairlight Bakery: Zacomega Apple Bar

Fairlight Bakery’s Zacomega Apple Bar is one of the more interesting and unique bars that we’ve tried. This all natural bar says “keep refrigerated” on the wrapper, has 5g of fiber, and plenty of Omega 3’s. Inside the wrapper, you’ll find what basically looks like an overstuffed and slightly shorter apple bar (like a Nutrigrain bar). Fortunately, it tastes way better than your standard apple bar, having a somewhat crumbly oat texture that’s more like an apple crisp topping than what you’d typically find in a bar. In the center of the bar is a sweet and gooey apple center that’s made from real apples. It’s sweet, but not too sweet, although we wouldn’t mind a bit more of the filling relative to the rather thick oat portion of the bar. Nutritionally, this bar has substance, with 240 calories, 7g of fat, 5g of fiber, 6g of protein, 10% iron, 8% calcium, and 2% vitamin A. It’s definitely a bar that can tide you over for a while. On the outside, the bar’s wrapper is bright, with a green color palate making for something that certainly looks different than your average bar. However, the front of the label is pretty cluttered, with a bevy of different fonts and shapes making it hard for your eye to pick what to focus on. Similarly, we don’t really like the name, which seems meaningless and sounds strange as it rolls off your tongue. Overall, what’s inside the wrapper is very different yet enjoyable, while the look of the wrapper is definitely an area for improvement.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Vega Whole Food Energy Bar: Berry Flavor

Like the other Vega Whole Food Energy bars, this one is made from “raw, alkaline, plant based superfoods.” You’ll find dates, hemp protein, almond butter, agave nectar, sprouted whole flax seeds, cranberries, raisins, almonds, sesame seeds, organic sprouted mung beans, organic wheat grass, and a few other ingredients for flavoring. It’s a soft but chewy bar, with a slightly dry texture, especially at the finish. Flavor is really enjoyable, with notes of the fruit and nuts throughout. There’s also a slightly earthy note of flavor to the bar, which is likely from the wheatgrass, mung, and flax. Nutritionally, the bar is a winner, with 10g of raw protein, 250mg of potassium, 6g of fiber, omega 3 and 6, vitamins, and minerals on top of 240 calories. The bar is great as for snacking before a workout – or to help supplement a meal with something that’s sweet but nutritious. Packaging is probably the only area that we’d like to see some improvement, with a look that feels technical rather than inviting. To a degree, the label made us expect a bar that didn’t taste good, which is fortunately not the case. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable product, but kicking up the packaging a bit would definitely help.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vega Whole Food Energy Bar: Chocolate Flavor

As the label states, this bar is made from “raw, alkaline, plant-based superfoods.” So what’s in this bar? Key ingredients include dates, sprouted flax, cocoa powder, almonds, sprouted mung beans, and wheat grass. The resulting product has a decidedly earthy but fruity flavor to it, with a soft but dry base that’s has big notes of cocoa, dates, and sprouted flax. The bar has a nice balance to it, with just the right amount of chocolate to level out the other flavors. It’s really easy on the palate, making it a pretty easy bar to scarf down in a hurry. Nutritionally, this 240 calorie bar has 6g of fiber, 10g of protein, vitamins, minerals, potassium, omega 6, and omega 3. It’s enough to help tide you over in between meals – or to give you a boost before a workout (our preferred use). Packaging is clean and easy to understand, but it lacks in the “biteability” department (meaning it doesn’t whet the appetite). Regardless, this is a bar that we’d pick up again and again for both flavor and to satisfy our hunger.

Rating: 4.5 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

Vega: Natural Flavor

The “Natural Flavor” of Vega’s “Whole Food Energy Bar” line is made exclusively from raw, alkaline, plant-based superfoods.  This is obvious from the second that you bite into this soft bar.  The product has a strong date flavor, followed by earthy notes from what appears to flax, sesame and nut ingredients.  It’s certainly not indulgent as some of the other bars that are out there, but the simple, raw ingredients are effective and enjoyable.  The bar has 240 calories, 10g of fat, 10g of protein, 6g of fiber, magnesium, iron, calcium, and Vitamins C & E. Packaging is good, with an earthy design that goes with the flavor and purpose of the bar.  However, there’s a bit too much text, which left us wondering what the name of the bar actually was.  Overall, a well done raw energy bar.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars.

Bumble Bar: Original with Cashew

The wrapper suggests greatness: bees, signifying honey. Cashews, signifying yummy. The whole thing looks like a gold-plated Bit-O-Honey reincarnated as a high-end energy bar. Unfortunately, that’s not what Bumble Bar is on the inside. Instead, you get a funky-tasting, oddly minty-smelling shingle of sesame seeds and sticky organic rice syrup; in other words, birdseed, with an odd texture, no honey taste and negligible amounts of cashew. While this product might satisfy the organic, gluten-free/vegan crowd, it’s hard to imagine that they don’t know better themselves. As mentioned above, though, good packaging.

Rating: 2 Stars

Calories: 230
Fat:16 g
Carbs: 17 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 6g

CLIF Kid(TM) Launches Spooky S’mores Organic ZBaR for Halloween

CLIF Kid Seasonal Encourages Healthier Trick-or-Treating and Holiday Celebrations

CLIF Kid(TM) today announced that its new Organic ZBaR Spooky S’mores flavor is now available for a limited time throughout the Halloween season. Spooky S’mores recreates the classic camp fire snack using organic and all-natural ingredients in a baked whole grain bar with 12 vitamins and minerals specific for kids’ growing and active bodies.

CLIF Kid was the first national brand to create a right-sized energy snack bar for kids with the right nutritional blend for their growing bodies. CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR features a wholesome blend of carbohydrates, protein and fiber, which slows digestion to stabilize energy levels and make kids feel full longer. CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR is USDA-certified organic and contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup, notransfat and does not source from genetically-modified organisms.

“Halloween can be a nutritional nightmare for parents as they try to maintain a healthy balance of wholesome foods and holiday treats for their kids,” said Karen Jobb, director of CLIF Kid Brands. “Spooky S’mores is an easy and healthy way to let kids indulge in the Halloween season.”

Available for a limited time this fall, Organic ZBaR in Spooky S’mores can be purchased at select grocery and natural food stores nationwide for an SRP of $0.79 per bar. Individual bars and 18-count boxes are available to satisfy the Halloween rush.

About Clif Bar & Company

Clif Bar & Company is a leading maker of all-natural and organic foods and drinks, including the organic certified CLIF® BAR energy bar, delivering Nutrition for Sustained Energy®, and LUNA®, The Whole Nutrition Bar for Women®. Committed to sustainability, Clif Bar & Company works diligently to reduce its footprint on the planet from the field to the final product.