In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t been cooking a lot lately. I’m eating at home, but I really didn’t think you would get excited about the same ol’ oatmeal, scrambled eggs and all the other boring stuff I’ve been having. So I’m entertaining you with my travels and finds until I get back into the kitchen more, probably next week.
I visited a friend in Louisville, KY last week and found myself a Whole Foods. As I think I’ve mentioned before, I could never do all my grocery shopping at that store, but I love browsing the aisles for the unique. I ended up buying a few things to take back to Brazil with me including some bars so I’m not stuck paying $5 for a mini can of Pringles if I get hungry on my domestic flights.
Traveling is just about the only time I purchase bars, mainly due to their convenience. I will have to say the major bar-making companies are doing a good job of putting less and less ingredients in their products. While, I don’t consider them completely off the fake food list for me, many are getting darn close.
This time I decided to try a Clif Nectar Cacao bar in Dark Chocolate Raspberry. It looks like these officially came out in 07, but they are new to me. Along with the ingredient list, I was mainly convinced to buy it because it was decent size for the 160 calories it offers. I just can’t get into a tiny 1 inch bar that has 200 calories in it. Also, it was about $1.19 a bar. Not cheap, but nowhere near the most expensive in the bar aisle.
All the ingredients in the bar are organic. This isn’t of huge concern to me, but it may be to you. The list was short and included dates, cashews, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa and raspberries.
It was definitely a winning combination if you are looking for a sweet snack. I do wish they would take the “2 servings of fruit” off the front. Sure, it may equal that in some random way, but let’s get our fruit servings from fruit and not focus on getting them from bars. You know me though, there is always something.
Would I get this again – for sure! I was actually looking for them around my hometown, but didn’t find them. If you want to get some chocolate in a relatively healthy nutrition bar form I say go for it.
In fact, after looking at the ingredient list I’m wondering why I couldn’t throw that combination together and make these bars myself. I just might give it a try.
I actually like the Clif Kid Z Bars – especially in chocolate brownie. A little too much sugar, but some good stuff in there too. Sometimes I get too busy to eat breakfast (I know, I know…) and can grab a bar and be good til snack time or lunch.
Hooray for Whole Foods!! And hooray for liking the bar 🙂 Thanks for the review!!
I like some of the Nectar bars, but I have to be careful now due to allergies. The chocolate mocha one is really good.
I love Nectar bars although I’m well-stocked w/Larabars since I can get a whole box at Costco. Nectars are great as an in-between snack as they average only about 120-140 cals each whereas I consider the Larabars closer to a meal replacement at 190-210 cals each. Mmmmm – I think I’ll check my stash . . .
I have a few bars I really enjoy. My favorites are Clif Mojos. I also really enjoy laras and kids cliff z bars. They’re an easy grab and go snack on a busy day.
I haven’t seen those either…sounds good though! Anything with chocolate is okay in my book. 🙂
I’ve always wondered about the “equivalent” fruit/veg servings. I mean surely the “equivalents” can’t have all the vitamins and fiber of the fruit, and if it does its not the way nature intended. Natural fruits and veg are created in a way that help us to absorb and reap the full benefits.
I like how the nectars aren’t too calorie laden. I always feel like I’m wasting calories when I eat a teeny bar that’s 200+ calories!
I’ve never had these – but I’d totally say go for making them and THEN you can take photos of that – lol.
Thanks for the review! I’ve tried the Lemon flavored one and it’s v. delicious if you like lemon things, which I do.
I hear you with the tiny, calorie-packed bars. They just don’t fill me up. I haven’t tried this kind yet, but I’m always looking for a new bar – thanks!
cathy – A little secret…I’m a bit of a breakfast skipper too. I usually don’t skip it all together, but sometimes I don’t get around to eating it until 10. 🙂
VeggieGirl – All the more natural ingredients they are using is definitely making them more appealing to me.
Meg – The allergy problem, must be so tough. I hope adjusting is going well.
Tangled Noodle – I agree, that is kind of how I look at the calories they contain too.
Erica – I haven’t tried the Mojos. I’ll give them a look next time.
Jenn – When something says chocolate, I am drawn to it for some reason. Ha, ha! 🙂
gastroanthropologist – I completely agree. I tend ot ignore packaged foods when they claim they are a serving of a real food. It just isn’t the same once it gets in the body.
The calories are my first check on the bars. If they meet what i’m looking for then I check out the flavor and ingredients. For 200+ calories I’d rather splurge on a real dessert. 🙂
Darius – I do want to give them a try at some point.
HangryPants – Thanks for your comment and stopping by. I’ll have to look for that flavor. Sometimes I get in a lemon mood. 🙂
Hayley – Thanks for your comment and for stopping by! Some of the bars out there are way to small for the calorie density. 🙂
Thanks for the review … I really haven’t eaten many bars for many of the reasons you mention. My husband (who is much more knowledgeable than me) has said similar things to what you said when it comes to bars, so I’ve heeded his advice. Occasionally, I wish there was a bar I could eat for convenience sake and yet I think I’d like an apple or piece of fruit just as much. I do like that some seem to be using more natural ingredients, though.
So anyways, thanks for sharing : )
lesley – Thanks so much for stopping by with your comment. I’m really picky about bars and try not to rely on them too much. Some of them are no better than a candy bar really. I do love them for traveling though.