Breakfast/Meal Bars: Way or No Way?
Normally, for snacks and such, especially when I am travelling, I usually have a handful of Luna bars on me, since I don't do well if I haven't eaten recently. Anyway, I stumbled upon something that I hadn't noticed before and fell in love with the Kashi Go Lean "Roll" bars. So, now I have a bunch of those and it made me ask whether or not other people eat them. I know that a lot people on here like to make their own snacks and such, but for me, sometimes I just can't or don't have time, and I rely on these. What about you? And if so, what kinds do you like? Do you try to stay natural/organic? Or do you take what you can get? I used to eat the Power Bars, but I can't stand them anymore; they taste too fake.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
32 Comments:
I LOVE Kashi granola bars. I eat one pretty much every morning for breakfast. Their pumpkin flax spice kind are awesome, and they have about enough fiber in them for entire day.
biabiaboiler at 11:58AM on 06/08/09
i'm gonna go with "no way" on this one...never been a big fan.
those fruit filled bars totally make me wanna gnar.
gastronomeg at 12:08PM on 06/08/09
I need them sometimes if I'm on the road. I need something with protein and some slow-burning carb that will quench my hunger quickly, and fruit doesn't do the trick.
HeartofGlass at 12:08PM on 06/08/09
fiber one apple & oats bars are absolutely amazing (and have more than a third of your day's worth of fiber)
foodieteen at 12:10PM on 06/08/09
I used to love the kashi granola bars and the more meal-replacement type bars. the caramel popcorn... yum! and the cherry dark chocolate granola bars are delish as well.
but then I noticed, umm, how much sugar is added to those things. Holy crapola! I mean, seven whole grains on a mission and all, but they are chock full of sugar (I think they call it evaporated cane juice... same thing).
I am more likely to grab a baggie of whole unsalted nuts and a piece of fruit, nowadays. but kashi does know how to make a bar that is definitely appealing to adults.
wasliche at 12:10PM on 06/08/09
i'm a total no way on those things. they don't taste good {at least the ones i've tried} and i don't feel good when i eat them. i do pack my own snacks. it was a pain when i started doing it but now it's second nature.
cybercita at 12:20PM on 06/08/09
I am still wondering where it is that they mine granola. They must have had a huge strike in California, but I have yet to hear anyone say where the mine is.
Grumpy Old Man at 12:31PM on 06/08/09
Where's the "vomit" option? I can't stomach luna/cliff/other bars for the most part. I don't begrudge others the convenience factor or differing tastes, but as far as my personal opinion, that stuff is overpriced cardboard. I can handle the occasional actual granola bar, but usually avoid doing so.
The only 'bar' I've ever bought, half enjoyed, and purchased again are the Clif Nectar organic bars. They're basically pureed dates with a selection of mix-ins. I have only purchased these when friends and I have not pre-planned snacks for a long day of hiking or skiing and make a last minute stop to the worst grocery store in town that just happens to be right on the way there.
joyyy at 12:31PM on 06/08/09
I'm a Luna fan--I used to have them every day for breakfast and now that fruit is in season I just have a bowl of fruit instead...but Lunas are great for a quick post-gym meal or if I'm starving in my office at 4pm. The protein content is the big draw for me--compared to a lot of the bars on the market, the Lunas have a pretty good protein:calorie ratio. I only like a few of the flavors, but as long as those are available I'm good to go!
littlestcapy at 12:32PM on 06/08/09
Larabars are the truth!
_greenbean at 12:38PM on 06/08/09
I don't eat these bars mainly because I've never believed they were all that good for you (but some of these newer ones may be). However, I have a friend who makes supposedly wonderful granola bars and I'm hoping one day she will make and send me some. Hint hint. YOU know who you are. ; )
arm1970 at 12:43PM on 06/08/09
Range cubes are better for you and they'll do about as good a job of sharpening your teeth.
Grumpy Old Man at 12:50PM on 06/08/09
I've never been a big fan of sawdust and rubber cement.
Martini Me at 12:51PM on 06/08/09
I find it easier and cheaper (and tastier!) to keep a Ziploc of mixed nuts +/- dried fruit in my purse. There's also an emergency stash of Lindt 70% in there...
PeanutButter at 12:56PM on 06/08/09
I'm generally not a breakfast person, but on early mornings when I ride, I find a bar the most palatable breakfast. A quick 180 calories or so and I am good for about 2hrs worth of peddling before I need to refuel.
derosa at 1:02PM on 06/08/09
I got a bunch of them as samples with my newspaper, and honestly I have to cross a certain threshold of "very hungry now and it's going to be x hours before there will be other food" before I will eat them. I'd rather be hungry and wait for a better option most of the time.
Needless to say, I haven't sampled every option out there, but if I made a habit of putting myself in that situation on a regular basis, I'd carry a bag of nuts, pretzels, and crackers instead.
dbcurrie at 1:53PM on 06/08/09
Larabars all the way!! I have become OBSESSED. I used to keep all sorts of breakfast/meal/snack bars on hand (I still like occasional Special K bar), but now it's only Larabars. I have recently started making them at home... with so few ingredients, it's pretty easy, and really satisfying!
lizaj at 2:03PM on 06/08/09
db, how the bleeding blue blazes did you distinguish the bars from your newspaper?
Grumpy Old Man at 2:13PM on 06/08/09
I like Lunas and Laras but not all the time. I buy them when they're on sale and really like them for traveling. I like making my own 'trail mix', too, as others have commented.
The hubs likes Clif bars for breakfast and to satisfy a chocolate craving.
AuntJone at 2:14PM on 06/08/09
They're just too sugary. I usually only consider them on road trips when bars are one of very few natural options in the gas station stores. But even then I'd refer a small bag of roasted cashews or almonds if they have them, despite the fat and salt.
Larabars aren't that bad though.
yayfood at 2:14PM on 06/08/09
No way, they never had a chance with me. Two words: dried fruit. I also would rather have a salad or a bowl of miso soup for breakfast...
brooke29 at 3:30PM on 06/08/09
Hmmm. I like things like granola or fruit and oatmeal bars when on a camping or road trip, or as a very occasional snack. I don't eat them as a meal, but for what they are--a sweet treat. I cannot stand the "energy" bars though, like clif or the like. They taste AWFUL.
I am big on my own mix of stuff, or homemade granola bars too.
Not sure if this make me a yay or nay though...
sadiepix at 3:34PM on 06/08/09
WAY! These are my candy bars. Powerbar (usually Performance and Harvest), Clif, and Luna are my usual suspects, but I'll eat whichever. Powerbar Performance is my choice for before competition though...low fat, low residue, and perfect carb:protein ratio to maximize performance, at least for me.
cycorider at 3:37PM on 06/08/09
NO WAY. Too many calories, too much sugar, not enough portion size. I can have a whole lot of homemade sorbet or frozen yogurt for the same number of calories as one tiny breakfast or "meal" bar. And when fruit is on sale (like the "full ripe" peaches I get at the farmer's market), the sorbet is much cheaper.
Mizbee at 4:02PM on 06/08/09
I used to eat Luna bars regularly when I was working 12 hour days and not usually stopping for lunch. If you're hungry enough, they're not bad - I liked the chocolate peppermint ones best. And they'd keep me going from 3 until 7 or 8.
Now I'm back to the decidedly less healthy granola bar for those times that I'm too lazy to find something better.
cyberroo at 4:34PM on 06/08/09
Due to my job, I have to eat on the go. I really like Garden of Life Chocolate Raspberry Greens Bar and Pro Bars (Superfood Slam, Art's Original Blend, Whole Berry Blast).
I buy the Garden of Life bars by the case because it's cheaper that way plus they're hard to find where I live. I pick up the Pro Bars from a chain outdoor store.
I've tried Powerbars, Kashi and Luna bars but they either taste dry, artificial or have a super long ingredient list that looks like a chemical cocktail. At least the Pro Bars have whole ingredients and they look like food (to me at least).
Foodie Penguin at 8:11PM on 06/08/09
Homemade energy/meal replacement bars--WAY! Or breakfast cookies. Mmm-mmm good.
Store-bought energy/meal replacement bars--*gag* Clif bars taste like tree bark, and most others I've tried taste like chalk, and have a list of ingredients which I'm pretty sure aren't food.
buffy at 8:16PM on 06/08/09
I eat that shit you get in the candy section I can't remember the name of it. There is also one that Quaker Oats makes that I like as well. The BF like Cliff bars.
pjracz10 at 10:16PM on 06/08/09
Sure!.... Then for lunch a nice cat shit and cotton sandwich!
Pavlov at 5:38AM on 06/10/09
Like someone else said (now that I'm trying to maintain my weight as a barely controlled glutton) the bars in the 110-140 calorie range are my candy bars. Heck, no, they don't taste great, but it beats the alternative of being too fat to bend over and tie my shoes :) I'm especially partial to the SlimFast snack bars (more like candy than anything else) and Kellogg's Fiber Plus.
ChloeA at 3:39PM on 06/12/09
i like luna and lara too but they are just too expensive. so i've actually been making my own bars, inspired by alton brown's recipe. its fun experimenting and changing thing up each time. plus they are yummy and packed full of fiber and protien
gypsykid at 5:35PM on 06/12/09
i'd eat them more if they came in half the size and had a bit more protein
samueltobin at 6:43PM on 06/12/09