What is your favorite energy bar?

[TandemWalker]

I have one of those every once in a while, especially 20 min. or so before an extensive workout. I won't name the brand, but one bar gives me about 17 grams of protein... I realize I can achieve the same more or less with 'real' food, but was just curious to see how others feel about these high protein/high energy snacks.

[Heybales · Accepted solution]

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@TandemWalker wrote:

I have one of those every once in a while, especially 20 min. or so before an extensive workout. I won't name the brand, but one bar gives me about 17 grams of protein... I realize I can achieve the same more or less with 'real' food, but was just curious to see how others feel about these high protein/high energy snacks.

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My afternoon and before bedtime snack are Zone bars (or Balance if the store has some variety there), just because it's decent enough protein, and anything more in carbs can make me drowsy, oh, and cheap. Now for the evening that should be good, but I'd rather it be the alcohol!

I'll usually try to time my workout after a meal or that snack. If big ride planned in afternoon, then lunch is 2 Clif bars, they rest well on the stomach.

If big long ride and I want a 4:1 carb:protein ration for best carb uptake, Clif bar nails it exactly. 2 of those, or 1 and a chocolate milk or Equate drink that is also 4:1.

Clif also has some lower calorie Sweet and Salty and Fruit versions that have more carbs less protein in case I feel I need it prior to workout.

I've found through testing the real food that could be eaten prior and rest well, is so narrow in scope, I acutally get more variety this way with bars. And don't risk testing and failing a new real food.

[TandemWalker]

Thank you @Heybales - This post didn't get the traction I was expecting but your reply is exactly what I was looking for. As soon as I read it, I Googled Clif Bar and looked at the nutritional make-up - Wow! That's a lot different than the Pure Protein bars I have been having for the last few months, and I don't see any ingredients there that I do not readily understand. Plus, it's 70% organic, at least that's what they claim, so it sounds pretty good. It's on the shopping list. How about taste - are they good!

[Heybales · Accepted solution]

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@TandemWalker wrote:

How about taste - are they good!

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Well, the opinion of someone that has done bars for way too long way too often might be a little skewed.

I like them. Some are sweeter, some are nicely bland, some have great fruit flavor or whatever the claimed flavor is. Some do taste a little off to me, but I've had multiple attempts so it's just they way they are supposed to taste. Chocolate brownie probably in that group for me. Some Blueberry one too.

The one that finally got to me, perhaps because it was used as mid-triathlon fueling, was Oatmeal Raisin Walnut. No chocolate to melt and make a mess with, so that's good. They now have a Sierra Trail mix I would use. Now this was too much fat and protein for true mid-event fueling, but when I needed something in the stomach besides Clif Power Bloks (yep, they got 'em), their bars rested easy. They also had 3-type boxes of mini-bars of several, perfect for that 100 cal snack with you.

Some are sooo good, I usually don't buy them. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Cool Mint Chocolate (has caffeine), Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch.

There Mojo group is even simplier list of ingredients, with carb:protein ratios all over the place, so they have no goal on those for macros, some higher carb, some higher fat. 200 cal or less.

Ugh, I'm hungry, and rest day so too big a lunch for bars. Guess I gotta eat the cottage cheese and yogurt now.

[TandemWalker]

Well, it's the first I hear of this particular brand name; and so far, with 70% being organic, and good ingredients, with no ingredient names that I don't understand w/o having to search Wiki, it's on the shopping list for sure. So thank you very much for the tip, much appreciated.

[SoliDeoGloria]

I LOVE Clif bars as well. We have been buying them at Costco (Sam's has them as well, just a different flavor pair). You get 24 for around $20. Chocolate Chip is my favorite, especially with a cup of coffee before my morning workout. 

[WendyB]

I also love Clif bars. It really dpends on the bar. But I love the Peanut Butter.

But then Im a Peanut Butter fan 🙂 Some I have found way to sweet. Cant think of them as I try and avoid if I dont like.

I like the Macadamia Nut one as well.

[TandemWalker]

@WendyB 

@SoliDeoGloria 

Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated. I will certainly get them as soon as my current supply of Pure Protein bars is exhausted (also bought at Costco). It's only upon reading the list of ingredients a little closer that the awareness antenae went up. And as soon as I got @Heybales  recommendation and surfed the Clif, sure enough, those ingredients are ALL natural; and, as I said earlier, 70% organic, so that's all good stuff! Yes, having read some comments on Amazon, it looks like the macademia and chocolat chips ones are the favorites.

Just curious about something else, now that we're on the subject. How many of those do you consume daily and when?  I always thought that it was best to eat one or two of those just before an extensive workout - like a 5-mile brisk walk, or a one-hour bicycle ride... Is this how you folks use these high-protein products?

[WendyB]

I only have 2 a week. I use them on weekends when I go for my longer walks.

I would never eat 2 as they are high in Calories and I really dont think I would ever need 2. 1 will fill me up for hours

[SoliDeoGloria]

I eat 1 a day, typically before or after a workout. I also went with clif bars as a result of the ingredients. I get migraines and try to avoid all the fake sweetener and flavors.

There are days I eat 2, but usually its a really active day.

[Crossface]

I also will grab a bar on the way to the gym after work, and my purpose is to load lots of protein.  I used to have a Clif Builder bar, and then I discovered a growing company named Nugo.  They have their Stronger line of bars, as well as other types of nutritional bars.  The Stronger bars are about 25 grams of protein with less than 10 grams of sugar.  That's pretty awesome, I think, as the Builder bars are way higher in sugar.  If it's important to you, most of them are also gluten free, GMO free, etc.  My focus is more on high protein, low sugar, and decent carbs, so I'm not an expert on reading ingredient lists, but Nugo's looks quite a lot better than the others.

Here's nutritional info. for my favorite bar:  link

[flyboy]

I eat Clif Bars on my long bike rides, white chocolate macadamia nut is my favorite flavor.  I also use Honey Stinger Waffels and Tigers Milk bars in the bar department.  I use Gu Gels, Clif Shot Blocks, Gatorade Chews for non bar energy along with Gatorade or Powerade to drink.  Normally I aim for 150 to 250 calories per hour during hard workouts that last more than 1 hour.

[StefK]

I love Questbars! White chocolate/raspberry is my fav.
Stef.

[TandemWalker]

This thread is taking a life of its own. Thank you all for all the good insights. That's great!

[markfftang]

I use the ever effective banana 

[TandemWalker]

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@markfftang wrote:

I use the ever effective banana 

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Yes, I use real food a lot too - banana, milk, nuts, fruit .... But sometimes, a little tasty and healthy snack, with a boost of protein, is like a little reward for the workout I'am about to undertake in the next 20 min. or so!

[Manticone]

I like Vega Sport. It is gluten free and vegan and easy to digest for me.

[flyboy]

I can't believe that I forgot Sport Beans, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans that have added electrolytes and come in 100 calorie sealed packs, some even have a jolt of caffiene to give you an extra little boost.

[TandemWalker]

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@flyboy wrote:

I can't believe that I forgot Sport Beans, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans that have added electrolytes and come in 100 calorie sealed packs, some even have a jolt of caffiene to give you an extra little boost.

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Hey @flyboy , I loke those stats in your signature line and would like to commend you, but would first like to know the time frame for these accomplishments! Nevermind, I'm just kidding! Thanks for the tip on the Jelly Belly beans - never hear of them before. Have a nice day.