Natural energy bars
Susannah recommended some ‘energy bars’ she had discovered and enjoyed. I sent off for some. I couldn’t buy them singly so had to order a mixed box of sixteen, four each of four different flavours. The recipes were blueberries and chia seeds, red berries and quinoa, apricot, chia and pumpkin seeds, and cacao, coconut, and chia seeds.
I tried the red berries and quinoa first. The taste was quite intense and sweet, and my overall impression was of highly flavoured cardboard. Barry finished that one and declared it, ‘All right. Quite nice as energy bars go,’ which was damning with faint praise. I then sampled an apricot, chia, and pumpkin seed. That was less sweet, but not pleasant. Again, Barry finished it and repeated his opinion, along with, ‘I’ve tasted worse.’
I don’t think I’ll try the other two. I could do with the energy, but these bars are just not nice, at least, not for me. Susannah can take the rest home later this week, as she really likes them.
I have deliberately not named the brand. The vegan bars are made in the UK from natural ingredients, and nicely presented, in colourful wrappings, which are not claimed to be recyclable. The makers emphasise that no palm oil is used, and support the wildlife charities, Born Free, Orangutan Appeal and Say NO to Palm Oil.
I've dabbled with making my own protein bars. The best recipe I found used healthy ingredients, including chocolate :-)
ReplyDeleteAnything with chocolate is acceptable . . .
DeleteAppreciate your honest review! It’s always a bit of a gamble trying new health foods—especially in bulk.
ReplyDeleteWe don't usually bother, but Susannah was insistent . . .
DeleteYour honest review made me smile—“highly flavoured cardboard” is such a vivid description! It's a shame the bars didn’t meet your taste expectations, despite their admirable ethics and appealing presentation. It's great that Susannah enjoys them, so they won’t go to waste. I appreciate your balanced take—acknowledging the good intentions of the brand while still being candid about your experience.
ReplyDeleteTaste is so subjective, especially with health foods. Hopefully, your next energy boost will come from something both nutritious and genuinely enjoyable. Thanks for sharing your thoughtful (and humorous) insight!
I think I'll just stick to fresh fruit for my boosts
DeleteI gave up on health/energy bars long ago, most were cardboardy and those that weren't had things like choc-chips (bad fat) and nuts (good fats) and my teeth can't handle nuts. The price was a big deterrent too.
ReplyDeleteWe don't normally bother, as they're usually full of sugar, but Susannah was so sure we'd like them, bless her.
DeleteI just have never found an energy bar that I liked. I always eat them because I hate waste, but I have gotten to the point that I simply don't buy them because I hate to eat them.
ReplyDeleteLikewise. I prefer to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and get a good night's sleep!
DeleteIt's all processed food and calling it healthy only fools people like my OH who thinks his type 2 diabetes can be managed by swapping processed food branded as healthy with the processed junk that got him in that state of health. In his case it is absolutely a lifestyle thing as he eats nothing but highly processed 'foods'. You can make your own energy 'bars' from whole ingredients and get the flavour and texture you prefer.
ReplyDeleteI agree, but Susannah is so careful about what she eats - life-long vegetarian/vegan.
DeleteI loved your description. I am not convinced that the name 'health bars' is accurate as many have such a high sugar content.
ReplyDeleteIt's an advertising ploy and fools too many people.
DeleteI avoid palm oil as much as I can, we do read labels on lots of snacks as both little ones are dairy free, so many are full of unwanted stuff. mainly oils and 'sugars' under many different names. Flapjacks are very easy to make and very good for energy, I often pop jam in the middle or add dried fruits, both add sugars, in a natural way.
ReplyDeleteHaving children in the family with allergies certainly makes you read all the labels. Eldest daughter is allergic to kiwi fruit, of all things, and you'd be surprised how often that slips into foodstuffs.
DeleteI'm hearing you, and I'm generally not a fan of natural energy bars! xxx
ReplyDelete😎
DeleteI buy the nak'd protein bars which are made with all natural ingredients...just dates, peanuts, peanut flour, hazelnuts, low fat cocoa powder and a little natural flavouring. They make other varieties too but those contain raisins which I dislike.
ReplyDeleteI know I should make my own but I am too lazy.
If you've found something that suits you and you like, why not? More time for practising bowls,if you're not making energy bars.
Delete.
You gave them a fair shout which is all anyone can ask. And respect in not naming them, as they sound like they're working to be better.
ReplyDeleteYes, they're doing their best.
DeleteIf I hear the words chia or quinoa, I flee!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind quinoa, but eating chia seeds is like consuming dust!
Deleteditto what Tiggers Mom said. Bob eats way to much processed food, I eat none because processed food is an IBS symptoms trigger food.
ReplyDeleteI add rice protein to my 10 am and 3 pm frozen blueberries, strawberries and mangos.. and a little peanut butter powder. a cup of fruit a cup of vanilla soy milk and the two proteins blended makes ice cream protein snack with only natural foods..
Natural is best, and you can modify according to your taste, as you do.
DeleteIm more of a junk food junkie and these flavors don't even sound appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteMust be bad, then. 🤣😂
DeleteI've tried things like these in the past. And I found that I don't like them either. The one thing I do like that we have here is called a Lara Bar. Usually made with only two sometimes three ingredients the main ingredient being dates. Then some type of nut almonds or cashews and if it's going to be a flavor of a berry such as blueberry or cherry that's the third ingredient. Nothing else.
ReplyDeleteThey sound good. I really like dates!
DeleteIf these energy bars don't add to your energy level, what might you try next? My energy levels these days need a boost!
ReplyDeleteI stick with fresh fruit and raw vegetables - filling and good for the gut and the teeth.
DeleteI don't think that I have every tried an 'energy' bar, but I used to eat snack bars, the granola type. I think they became too snacky and less granola-ey.
ReplyDeleteGranola is very nice, but full of sugar. I used to mix my own muesli, but don't have it now. Tastes change!
DeleteI will say, the descriptions SOUND good but "highly flavored cardboard" and "I've tasted worse" don't make me wanna try one.
ReplyDeleteI don't use energy bars.
ReplyDeleteWe don't, normally!
DeleteNo, I really wouldn't bother, and I don't suppose they're available in your country, anyway. If they were, the tariffs would be too high . . . 😂🤣
ReplyDeleteLike Bob...the descriptions of these bars makes them sound tasty and good for our bodies. I too have tried many bars similar to this and have had to give them away. My daughter makes her own and they are very tasty and healthy...I'll try to get the recipe and post.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds good!
DeleteI'm very dubious about these smartly packaged products, usually with overpriced and over-sweetened ingredients. We nibble at nuts and dates and fresh fruit. (And dream of chocolate!)
ReplyDeleteFruit and vegetables for us - I love raw carrots!
DeleteHimself used to buy a granola type bar that was more like chewing on plywood.
ReplyDeleteGood for the jaw muscles, but not much else!
DeletePackaging is a big draw in marketing these products. I have tried energy bars in the past and those I have really enjoyed turn out not to be as healthy as they should be, because that's another draw, 'healthy'. I'm glad your daughter enjoys them at least and will be able to take what's left off your hands.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, of course.
DeleteI've tried a bunch of different energy bars and for the most part they are not good.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteLikewise still searching for the holy grail of energy/protein bars.
ReplyDeleteI've given up!
DeleteI've always steered clear of 'energy bars' preferring a more nutrient-dense whole food like nuts (only a few) fruits and vegetables.
ReplyDeleteBut each to our own choices, and your daughter obviously likes them.
All the best Jan
She eats sensibly - vegetarian all her adult life and now vegan
DeleteI am not a fan of energy bars in general. but there is an Aldi brand called Maxx (not sure if it is available where you live) that I have gotten into. It even has whole nuts in it. But not cheap.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell my daughter - thank you.
DeleteAre the energy bars you are referring to from N'EAT ? Try a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich instead!
ReplyDeleteWell deduced! I'll have the strawberry jam sandwich (occasionally) but don't like peanut butter.
ReplyDeleteI don't buy energy bars and those particular ones are not likely to encourage me to add them to my shopping list any time soon.
ReplyDeleteVery wise!
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