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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Taste Test

Well, running is in full swing, just hit the half way mark and did 7 miles this Saturday. With the help of an IPod and some cheesey running soudtracks it wasn't that bad.... (Did I really say that)
With that, I have been looking for some fuel/refuel bars to have either on the way to the gym or home from the gym.
With the help of some friends and their suggestions, here are the contenders:
My hiccup with the bars is that they all seem to be high in calorie, which there maybe a reason but after running or excerising and burning it off, it just doesn't seem right to put it all back in....
1st up Zone Perfect Dark (Choc Caramel Pecan)
190 calories 60 of which is fat, 12g of protien, 1 g fiber, 13g sugars
This one was pretty yummy, its base is a crunchy cookie (like in the middle of an ice cream cake) It tasted pretty clean with no powder/chalk taste
2nd Muscle Milk Light (Vanilla Toffee Crunch)
160 calories, 45 of which is fat, 15g protein, 4g fiber, 9g sugar
Pretty good taste, lacked in the crunch department, but had a good gooeyness to make you feel like you had a real candy bar which also made it on the sweeter side.
I am doing a bit more looking into the whole Muscle milk line as well.
3rd Balance Bar (Mocha Chip)
200 Calories 60 of which is fat,15g protien, 1g of fiber,17g sugar.
This one was super yummy, loved the coffee taste to it. It did hold over a craving for something sweet, but as I write all the info down it really does not hold much weight in the health depart.
4thCliff Barr Builder's (chocolate)
270 Calories 70 if which is fat, 20g of protien, 4 g of fiber, 20 sugars.
This was probably the one I wanted to try the most and the most disapointed. I loved the write up-"When life feels like a work out". Don't get me wrong it was good but I would not get excited to eat it.
5thPower Bar Recovery/Rebuild bar PB caramel crisp
260 Calories 90 of which is fat, 12g protien,0g of fiber, 19g of sugar.
This one was high on the yummy scale and really was a nice fix after a work out. I had it about 10pm and it didn't give me an energy charge but did take care of that after work out raid the fridge need (does anyone else get that)Again as I write this the high calorie count hits me with this one
6thLuna Bar Nuts over Chocolate Luna's say they are made just for women...extra calcium and folic acid
180 Calories,50 of which is fat, 9g protien, 4g fiber, 10g of sugar
Kind of in the middle here, I could take it or leave it. Pretty standard bar in everyway

I have one more left but I just needed to post this and toss the wrappers, so I'll add notes in the comments.

So I am still left out in the middle of nowhere as to which one to order in large amounts to get a discount. It seems the one's I really like may not be the best choice as far as good for you factor.
I think it comes down to needing to figure the high calorie count, I am hung up on that like crazy.
Food is always so particular and this is no different.

Do you have any that you love?

3 comments:

  1. Why not make some of your own instead? Cheaper and more natural! There's some recipes off this page...

    http://www.nomeatathlete.com/running-fuel/

    You've gotta remember, a lot of the bars on the market are either meant to be a complete meal replacement (if you're trying to lose weight) or as a post-workout snack if you're trying to add muscle. That's why they're high calorie. I wouldn't use any of these for running fuel. Too much protein, which will likely give you the bubble guts when you are running as the protein is much harder to digest. If you're looking for running fuel, stick with a gel or the sport beans. They're about 100cal and all carbs, which your body uses to replenish glycogen (sort of like your body's gasoline) in order to keep moving.

    - Jon

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  2. Jon thanks so much!
    I actually really loved the recovery one which is meant for after work outs. Go figure, I never thought of making my own....I will for sure check that out.
    I could not even imagine eatting one of these as a meal? Yuck. Like the muscle thing, I drool over people with great arms at the gym, after the marathon, It is my next mission

    ReplyDelete
  3. Luna Bars are my favorite!! I like the chocolate peppermint! I think we have similar athletic interests...Zumba and running!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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