You’re hungry. You know you should have made a salad before going to work, but. And yesterday you had a hot dog and a muffin for lunch. Maybe you should have a protein bar today! It’s low fat, high protein, good for you, right?
Blue Avocado asked the staff of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement in Washington, D.C. to taste test protein bars for the rest of us. They were pretty disappointed. On a scale of 1 – 5, with 5 at the top, the highest score was a lackluster 3.5, and that was for a bar priced almost three times higher than the average.
Comments
Atkins Advantage Chocolate Chip: “Most like a Clark Bar. But not very much like a Clark Bar.”
Balance Gold Chocolate Peanut Butter: “Good & chewy” “Bad aftertaste!”
Clif Bar Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch: “Weird texture and taste.”
Power Bar Triple Threat Caramel Peanut Fusion: “Good chocolate taste.”
Zone Perfect Chocolate Peanut Butter: “Please, no!”
Susan Sanow (pictured), along with Betsy Johnson, Jeff Kost andCorey Schnaut lent their taste buds to this project. The Center for Nonprofit Advancement has 850 members, 13 staff, and holds classes in nonprofit management, provides insurance policies for nonprofits, and has an array of other services for nonprofits in the Washington, D.C. area.
Thanks, you guys!
This post is very useful with great ideas. Thanks.
Oh, there are such awful bars around! And unfortunately, they cost so much that it’s horribly disappointing when one turns out to be really bad.
Right now, my favorite bars are:
Kashi Chocolate Almond Toffee – just oozes decadence and is the most like a candy bar. For when I want something sweet yet can’t rationalize cookies.
Clif Chocolate Brownie and Chocolate Almond Fudge – the only Clif Bars I can stand – the others just are gummy and tasteless. They’re good for a snack.
Luna Bars are generally really good, if a little on the small side and thus good only for a snack (not a meal replacement). My favorites are Lemon Zest, Iced Oatmeal Raisin, Chai Tea, Dulce de Leche, and Key Lime (in that order).
Lara Bars are different – very chewy and dense – with a very fresh, healthy taste; I like Apple Pie and Cherry Pie best. It will fill in for a meal.
Does anyone know of any bars that are substantial enough to be a meal substitute, AND taste good?
As someone who has lived on bars for years, here is what I am currently enjoying:
Kashi’s Chewy Trail Mix Bars
Dr. Weil’s Pistachi-oh Bars
Dr. Weil’s Banana Manana Bars
These bars seem to have real food in them with limited or no amounts of wheat, sugar, or dairy.