Product Review: Nutrition Bars

What's the real deal behind nutrition bars? Which ones are good for us and from which should we stay away? Are they intended for a specific clientele or will they do the job for just about anyone? These are some of the questions consumers ask themselves before biting into what's considered one of the healthier snacks on the market.

It's important to keep in mind that the ingredients of a nutrition bar are what determine how healthy and efficient it will actually be. Most of the time the bars that stock shelves of local grocery or drug stores, may come short in terms of quality. This is due to the fact that they often attract consumers with flashy slogans such as 'No Sugar No fat' yet at the same time contain unhealthy fillers and artificial sweeteners like Aspartame. Since Aspartame's negative effects have been exposed on more than one occasion, it's often marketed under its other trademark names, including Equal, NutraSweet, and Canderel.

On the other hand, Health Food Stores offer a wide variety of bars that can accommodate even the most specific diets. The ingredients of their nutrition bars are usually natural and their staff is well equipped to recommend the right product based on your individual needs. In most cases even their purchasing clerks have good general knowledge and nutrition certification.

There are three main categories to which nutrition bars can belong. They are Energy Bars, Meal Replacement Bars, and Protein Bars. There are obviously some sub categories as well and sometimes a bar can belong to more than one, but we'll focus on the most common ones today.

Energy Bars are designed to give you a boost. Some of them are comprised of grains, seeds, nuts, and dry fruits, while other high end brands such as Rebar contain a mix of compressed fruits and vegetables. Along with a good dose of energy, Rebar offers an essential eight servings of fruits & veggies per bar. While maintaining calories at a mere 160, it is also gluten free and Diabetic friendly. The nut based Vel bars are sweetened with cane sugar and honey and therefore represent a good alternative for consumers with a sweet tooth. Sunripe is famous for its taste, since once in your mouth, you can clearly distinguish its different fruit flavours. It's also a great choice for children and makes a fine addition to their lunch boxes. Larabar's all natural ingredients contain no sugar, gluten, soy, nor preservatives and make it a great choice for those concerned about their blood/ sugar levels. For consumers with an organic produce preference the Virta sprout bar is the prime contender. In general, the price range of these bars varies between $2.50 and $3.00, while the calorie count varies between 250 and 300. They are a wealthy source of energy on the go and are mostly recommended for individuals who are not concerned about their weight, with exception of course.

Meal Replacement Bars are slightly more expensive than the former since they are formulated according to specific ratios between their key ingredients including Fibres, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Minerals and Vitamins. They are designed as valuable meal substitutes, hence their content. Leading brands include Vega, Elevate Me, and FitSmart. The main difference between these brands comes in the form of protein that they carry. Vega, the healthiest of the three, contains pea protein, Elevate Me opts for whey protein, and FitSmart contains a combo of soy and whey. Fit Smart is also the one with the highest fibre ratio which acts as a hunger suppresser. The calories per bar in this category vary between 230 and 270. What's more, each bar contains a minimum of 10 grams of protein. When it comes to taste, lemon flavoured FitSmart takes the prize, seconded by Elevate Me which has a reputation of having a taste that grows on you. These bars are well worth their price, which ranges between $3.00 and $5.00, since it is virtually impossible to find a cheaper meal that offers such balanced ingredients.

Protein Bars are intended as much for trainers and athletes as they are for active folks looking for a protein increase. In some cases they can also act as meal replacements. Priced at $4.00 to $5.00, these bars are usually the biggest in size. They hold a striking 30 grams of protein and can contain essential minerals and vitamins. Along with the size also come the calories, which range between 280 and 360 per bar. In this category it is important to consider the source of protein used in the bar, since certain kinds are better for some and certain for others. For instance, whey protein is generally better for men, while soy protein is more suited for women. Dairy protein is generally good for everyone except individuals who are lactose intolerant. Popular brands include Isoflex, Myoplex, Simply Bar, Smores, Supreme, and Titan. At $3.00, Simply Bar stands as an exception when it comes to both price as and calories with a low count of 138. Most of these bars are chocolaty, creamy, and nutty and are often sought out for their taste. Supreme bar is by far the tastiest and can be compared to leading chocolate bars on the market. On the downside, some protein bars contain high amounts of carbohydrates and while they are comprised of healthy ingredients, they can still interfere negatively with individuals trying to lose weight.

Due to the growing number of Diabetes, Gluten Intolerance and Candida cases in North America, nutrition companies strive to offer a great amount of products adapted to specific demands. So when considering a nutrition bar there are a few simple things to keep in mind. First, ask yourself which purpose will the bar be serving. Then, make sure to verify the ingredients on the back of the package, to ensure that you won't be ingesting anything that might cause allergy or discomfort. Sample the bars for taste and texture and don't be afraid to ask for help. After all, every Health Food Store has trained personnel ready and eager to guide you through your selection process.