Must be the Energy Bars! 
lovelyluka, I’m doing Atkins, and I find that the Atkins chocolate peanut butter bars are really good. Seriously, I’d eat them even if I weren’t on this diet. 2 g carbs (net), 19 g protein, 10 g fiber (which none of the other low-carb bars I’ve seen have). If you have a Trader Joe’s near you, you can find them for about $1.60 each – otherwise, they’re usually over $2.50.
Want to add: In my area, I have been able to find Atkins bars in nearly every grocery store I’ve been to. They’re usually in the vitamins aisle or the health food section. You can also buy them online (but you have to pay huge shipping fees, so beware).
Cool Mint Chocolate Clif Bar.
And one that’s only around in the fall/winter: Caramel Apple Cobbler Clif Bar. Mmmmmmmm…a little slice of heaven.
I love the Lemon Zest Luna bars, and I REALLY like Clif’s new MOJO Bars, the honey roasted peanut one is amazing.
I’ve found myself be awfully fond of the Key Lime and Orange Cream flavors of the Luna Bars–most chocolate flavored energy bars taste sorta nasty to me.
My personal favorite are the Balance Bars.
Does anyone have a Trusted, non-biased cite that ranks the relative merits of these “energy” style bars in a heads up nutritional value rating?
I have found articles that tell you what to look for in a bars,
one (of many) cites with a definite sales motivated bias.
One cite from someone I could find no credentials on
and many more irrelevant cites…
I take exception to that statement that “carbs are the worst thing ever”. I [IT] need [/IT] carbs. Fortunately, high carb bars are way more palatable than high protein bars. There is almost no sport in which protein intake is a good idea during the event. Digestion requires blood and water, which leaves you less for afterwards. If I eat on the run, I like things like the mint Cliff bars. but really, unless you are doing an ultra, a candy bar is more cost effective. After an endurance event, then protein is necessary. Protein drinks are best then, as they are formulated specifically to aid recovery.
Protein bars are best as a filling, light snack. Especially, if you are travelling. I never found one I thought tasted great. (The extra protein is not really needed for weight lifting. I just read of a study which examined protein supplements, and a host of other supplements. Only Creatine and one other substance, whose name escapes me, were of any value.) Just eat right.
Ephedra, prolly. I’ve had exceptional success, and have not died yet. As a social binge drinker, I get sufficient carb intake on the weekends for the rest of the week; and also, carbs are only NOT the worst thing ever if you’re active. Most people are not active, so it just sits in there. The End.
I love the key lime and chai flavored Luna bars. I’ve been working on a big project recently, and I’ve been spending long hours in the computer lab. I found that Luna bars were a pretty darn good meal replacement for me–I could eat them while I worked and I wouldn’t be hungry later.
I’m partial to Cliff Bars. Sweetened with fructose so it has a low glycemic index, good balance of carbs and protein (our bodies *do[i/] require carbs, folks), many yummy flavors and very cost effective (89 cents at Trader Joe’s). But most of all, the creator kept to his roots by naming the bar after his dad. (I’m a sucker for Ben and Jerry’s-type marketing.)
Funny you should ask… hehe
The trend is now leaning toward moderation (thank GOD!!) and away from the “carbs are all evil” stance of even just last year.
The most effective way to do it (eat properly that is) is to have 4, 5, or 6 small portions of “clean” carbs and protein per day, making sure that your protein grams and your carb grams are about equal (20-25 grams per for the average woman and 30-35 grams per for the average man.
For instance a lean chicken breast and a small apple. Or 3-5 egg whites and plain whole grain cereal.
But for those wanting to lean more heavily on protein the new trend is to continue to do that, but to add the “clean carbs” in on a moderate basis. Not as strict as Atkins, but not as many carbs as say Leanness Lifestyle, or Body for Life either.
As to where to GET the bars? GNC is the most expensive, but the healthfood section of most grocery stores carry a pretty good assortment.
And if yours doesn’t? Talk to the healthfood section manager. Many times they’ll order stuff in for customers at no charge.
Happy energy bar hunting!!!
This is true, but I also got the new discount card for 10 bills (that takes off 10% any day you want; not like the old Gold Card that worked every third thursday provided there’s a full moon and you are wearing a purple hat). Also, can you buy these bad boys by the box at a grocery store? I certainly haven’t seen that option available.
Side note: As I type this, there’s a radio ad playing for Clif bars with a charming elder gentleman detailing the merits (extolling the virtues, if you will) of the bar.
A secret compartment in my ring I fill
With an UnderDog Super Energy Pill™
I’m with coyasicanbe on the caffeinated Mint Chocolate Clif Bar (formerly of the Ice Series). The new Clif Bar flavors are pretty cool too, especially Lemon Poppyseed. But I miss the old Gingersnap Clif Bar that was my favorite ever. (Why do companies always discontinue my favorite items?) Odwalla Super Green bars are yummy too.
You would think someone with my name would go for Mojo Bar — but no, they’re only snack bars, not energy bars, as the Clif Bar folks explain. Curry Cashew Mojo Bar rocks.