Energy bars
This month: energy bars |
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Last week I wrote about lowering the stakes when considering dietary change. This week we’re keeping it lighter. In fact, instead of lowering the stakes, we’re raising the bar. The energy bar that is! The scenario, as described by one of my busy clients in San Francisco is this: You find yourself running late, in need of something to keep you going before the next meal, and you didn’t plan ahead with a homemade nutrition bar (you can tell I have been there!). The question: Are there store-bought bars that get the Replenish stamp of approval? In pursuit of the answer, my son Gilbert and I began to stalk the power bar aisles at our local co-op and natural food stores. We flipped over every flap on those rectangular packages and read lists of ingredients. (Some of them were very long!) We brought home the bars that passed the first competency: ingredient suitability. What we looked for were whole-food constituents sans gluten, dairy and soy. That meant nopartially or isolated anything. It also indicated that we knew each and every ingredient that went into the bar, and could actually envision it’s place in our pantry. Ideally the bar was one that we could make at home, but would choose if we were on-the-go and in need of something real QUICK, as in the scenario above. The next measure in our ruthless pursuit of the acceptable bar was to dig a little deeper into the ingredient list. The inclusion of agave was cause for demotion. (I’ll articulate more about agave in the soon-to-be-released Sweet Tooth, Bitter Truth Homestudy Class.) Our final ranking was based on grams of sugars (in this case always natural) compared to grams of protein. The more protein the better; the less sugars the better. While many of these bars have lots of the sweet stuff to make them tasty, there are times when we all need a little grab-and-go. I get it. So let’s look at which grab-and-go options are good-to-go. Before I reveal the choice winners, I first have to disclose my own favorite on-the-move, yet bar-less, snacks: |
Energy Bar Line Up (drum roll please). . .All these bars passed the Gilbert Nakayama (10 year old with a somewhat sophisticated palate) taste-test. If you can’t find them near you, order some online and keep a stash in your car, in your purse, messenger bag, backpack and even your suitcase! Gold Silver Bronze Other viable possibilities (when in a pinch) that didn’t make the cut because they had too many sugars or contained agave. Do you have a favorite bar that I missed but fits the outlined criteria? Please hop on over to theReplenish PDX website and post your personal winner. |
Making Your Own BarIt’s really simple to DIY when it comes to bars. Below is a link to an Almond Beauty Bardeveloped by my Rejuvenate Cleanse partner Andrea Livingston of Phytofoods. This recipe is easy, delicious, and great for your skin too! |
Your comments and feedback are always welcome. Is there an ingredient you'd like to learn more about? Is there a nutrition class you always wish existed? Let me know!
Andrea Nakayama
Nutrition Counselor
www.replenishpdx.com
503 866.8079
I am a huge fan of the CORE Defender and have been since last August when I was able to buy a couple boxes for my freezer. I have a busy job in an Elementary School and have many after school meetings and activities. I keep a box of Defenders in my classroom refrigerator so I can grab a Cashew Cocoa or Almond Raisin CORE Meal on the run. They are a total life saver for my health. Other bars leave me hungry and many of them are highly sweetened or upset my stomach. CORE Defenders are easy to digest, taste great, give me energy and take care of my hunger with healthy ingredients. They are super for taking sailing, skiing, hiking, scuba diving, etc. Last week I shared my Almond Raisin with an eager toddler while we were running errands so we could make it to dinner. I have a monthly order that I store in my freezer and/ or refrigerator and always carry one in my pocket so I know I have something healthy to keep me going.
Elayne Hunter