I love crunchy bars that are loaded with nuts, but find that most of them that actually taste good contain added sugars which I simply do not indulge in. While I am not an advocate of doing “Keto”, the word Keto caught my eye. I knew from this, these bars should be free of added sugars. To my delight, they are!
Since they are such an excellent source of nutrients, I include nuts and seeds in my daily diet. I take a bag of pre-measured almonds in my lunch for work every day, and I include pecans, pumpkin seeds with a trilogy of chia, flax, and hemp seeds to my daily bowl of oatmeal. If your idea of healthy eating was formed a few decades ago, it may be difficult for you to shake the notion that you should avoid nuts because they are high in calories and fat. However, new evidence has overturned that notion. In fact, a recent analysis of the nation’s eating habits and health outcomes suggests that eating too few nuts and seeds is associated with an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Besides being full of healthy ingredients, I like the portability of them being in a bar that can be easily placed into a lunch box, or even a shirt pocket when on the go. These bars are very crunchy, and the flavor of the nuts and seeds are well balanced with the lemon flavor that is derived from the lemon oil. Despite being sweetened with stevia extract, these bars are really not too sweet as some bars can be.
The only caveat I can think of in regards to what I think about the lemon flavor is the lemon oil imparts a slightly bitter taste such as what you would get from actual lemon peel zest. I prefer this flavor, but for those who are looking for a more artificially sweet lemon taste, you might be let down. This nut and seed bar cannot be mistaken for a glorified candy bar!
As you can see from above, these delicious and healthy bars provide a good amount of fiber at 3 grams, along with 12 grams of protein and zero added sugar. All for 220 calories per bar. I liked these bars enough that I will soon be trying their Toasted Almond bar.
I found this product at my local Dillon’s grocery store for about $7.00 for a box of four. For the low price, these are a nutritious and tasty bar to have at home or on the go.
This advertisement caught my eye last night, and I thought I would investigate a little further since from the picture it looks similar to a weight loss product from the 70’s marketed under the brand name “Ayd’s”.
Then I saw something that made me think this was just a spoof product!
Are they flipping serious? For the appearance of seeming slimmer!
These people have to be pulling our legs. I felt as if I had lost a few IQ points just by reading “for the appearance of seeming slimmer”.
However, these people are not spoofing.
Hell no, they are serious.
I believe they are quite serious about extracting hard earned cash from the pockets of desperate and/or gullible people!
I believe the marketing of these types of products are not only a form of fraud, but also a form of bullying. A great many people who are overweight have not only an addiction to carbohydrates, they also often have some type of underlying mental condition that leaves them vulnerable. I know this last statement is true for me too as I suffer from a depressive disorder coupled with PTSD. I too have been obese during my adult life, and know up close and personal the battle those who are overweight are fighting through. Back about 100 years or so, Snake Oil salesmen who sold products like this were often tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail. They were not treated kindly, and I’m almost of the mind we should return to painful punishments for those who take advantage of the vulnerable among us. We do not need to go to the extreme lengths of tarring and feathering, but financial penalties with stiff prison sentences could curb this exploitation.
Well, duh!
The statement above is meaningless drivel in regards to losing body fat in order to get healthy.
Kicking it to you real here, any type of diet can make these promises as those first 5 pounds and the additional weight is going to be largely a loss of water weight with very little actual body fat lost.
Why is this?
It’s because the energy source your body turns to once it runs out of its relatively small store of carbohydrates (sugars) is glycogen. Glycogen is a large molecule made up of a protein core surrounded by glucose subunits. It’s stored in the liver and muscles for use during energy-intensive activities, like running away from danger and supporting the brain when food is scarce. Glycogen can be quickly metabolized to meet the body’s need for glucose, but each gram of glycogen is bound to three to four grams of water. So, if you use up your body’s glycogen stores (as when dieting or with prolonged exercising), a lot of water is released over a short amount of time.
Read the above carefully. Ten Slim Cube bars will provide you with 1100 calories per day. This is all that you will be eating each day. You will eat one with water every 60 to 90 minutes. Besides being too drastic a caloric restriction, how long will you last before you get bored by consuming nothing all day except these meal replacement bars.
Their boldface statement at the top is a damn lie!
You will not protect vital muscle mass on a 1100 calorie per day diet of eating these bars. Not only that, with the muscle mass you will lose, you will also slow down your metabolism which will only cause you to have a greater percentage of body fat once you put the lost weight back on.
To lose body fat and maintain muscle at the same time, and to maintain your strength, you need to do some type of resistance exercise while consuming a healthy diet that fits your caloric and macronutrient needs. Yes, reducing your caloric intake will help you lose weight. But dieting alone can strip away muscle along with body fat. Research suggests that as much as 25 percent of weight lost by dieters is from muscle. And that’s not a good thing for anyone.
If you are new to wanting to create a healthy, fit and trim body through exercise, you will need to know that losing muscle while on a calorie-reduced diet can hinder your performance in the gym by reducing strength and stamina. It can also slow your metabolism, so you burn fewer calories during the day, making it harder to lose weight, and thus easier to gain it back.
The amount of muscle you have is the biggest contributor to your resting metabolism – the number of calories the body burns to carry out basic functions such as breathing, keeping your heart beating and growing and repairing cells. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so the more you have, the higher your metabolic rate.
I will agree with saying no to complicated diets and time-consuming meal prep. However, there is nothing at all complicated about following our methodology at David’s Way to Health and Fitness. You can find our plan at this link! I promise that you can prepare healthy meals in far less time than it takes to go through your local fast food drive through, and by preparing your own meals, you never need to worry about getting bored. It is quite easy to get creative with different seasonings and simple ingredients.
These people want you to only eat their damn bars for at least three weeks, and nothing else!
Even those with less than average intelligence should know better than to believe there is anything good about his advice.
Really?
Industrial sugar?
I agree about cutting out sugar, but have to say that “industrial” is a new type to me.
Okay, do I want cold or hot water to rev my metabolism?
There may be something to be said for both schools of thought, but it is really insignificant. If you drink about a quart of ice water per day, that amounts to maybe burning 100 calories. You might believe this sounds significant, but the reality is that drinking water, whatever its temperature, will help ratchet up your metabolism, stave off overeating, and save calories over soda and other sugary drinks. And although a warm cup of water may feel soothing to the stomach, there’s no evidence to suggest that the body absorbs it any different than if it was cold. The take-home? Drinking water, period, is infinitely more important to your health and well-being than the temperature at which it’s served.
Oh, and they let you know that a sauna can have a stimulating effect too!
Can You Lose Weight in a Sauna or Steam Room?
Yes. But you are not burning a significantly raised rate of calories. All that you are accomplishing is the loss of water weight only. In addition, not replacing the water you are sweating out can actually make it harder for your body to lose weight. The weight that you lose while you sit in a sweltering room is purely water, water that you should be replacing as fast as you are losing, otherwise you are just severely dehydrating your body. Not practicing proper hydration while you’re in one of these hotboxes is unhealthy and actually makes it tougher for your body to lose pounds permanently, as hydration is an essential component in shedding extra weight.
In actuality, you should not even use a sauna for weight loss even for the most temporary of circumstances. For example, if you are trying to lose weight very quickly for an event or to squeeze into a particular dress, you would feel (and maybe even look) terrible if you had used a sauna to drop those last few pounds before the event without rehydrating your body after the sweat session.
Consistent, healthy habits are key to losing weight and keeping it off; try your best to avoid extremes and quick fixes as they’re usually either a scam, not healthy, or not sustainable long term. Be kind to your body, you deserve it!
Rocking that hard body through electrical stimulation!
Would you just look at those claims above!
Are you ready to throw down your hard earned cash yet?
At such a cheap price, you might consider it…
Wouldn’t it be the best thing since icing on cake if you could spend $48.98 US on a product that will give you the results pictured below?
Hot damn!
This product is scientifically proven!
Just look at those before and after results!
Do the people in the before and after pictures look like the same individuals to you?
Me neither!
Have you lost any brain cells reading this yet?
Does this contraption make you feel as if you might have lost a few IQ points?
Thirty minutes per day and not a single mention of nutrition being a part of the equation to be able to rock such a hard body in their ad.
I am not in any way, shape or form trying to be disrespectful in what I am going to say next. But, I surely hope you are not naive, or gullible enough to believe these hucksters. Please, consider how ludicrous these claims are before handing over your hard earned money to these people. These claims are indeed too fantastic to be true. I know you are smarter than this…
Of course, I fully understand there are people who have become desperate enough to try anything in order to lose weight. It is sad that these good folks are preyed on by by nefarious groups who know their products are worthless, especially those who need help losing weight the most. I have to say I have nothing but contempt for those who take advantage of others in this manner. My friends, this device is not going to work for you. If you want to achieve a healthy and fit body, it is going to take more than thirty minutes per day with a electrical ab stimulator. You must get your nutrition in order by changing your entire mindset about, and relationship with food. You must make permanent and lifelong changes to your nutritional habits. There is no easy way towards losing weight and gaining a fit and trim body.
For instance, the saying that abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym, is an absolute truth. You can do all the sit ups in the world, and never lose your gut.
And, it is a truth that you cannot spot reduce any areas of your body.
Even if you could spot reduce, your body would only look odd from the imbalances in your appearance and you would not be any healthier.
In order to rock the hard bodies pictured in this ad, you will need to consume fewer calories than you burn each day, and then be willing and able to put in the work with physical exercise that raises your heart rate into the fat burning zone.
The following is from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
Q. Why does FDA regulate electrical muscle stimulators?
A. Electrical muscle stimulators are considered devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Under this law and the agency’s regulations, the FDA is responsible for regulating the sale of all electrical muscle stimulators in the United States. Therefore, firms must comply with appropriate FDA premarket regulatory requirements before they can legally sell their stimulators. Most electrical muscle stimulators (EMS devices) that have been reviewed by FDA are intended for use in physical therapy and rehabilitation under the direction of a health care professional. If a company wants to sell EMS devices directly to consumers, the company needs to show FDA it can be used safely and effectively in that setting.
Q. These electrical muscle stimulators are advertised not only to tone, firm, and strengthen abdominal muscles, but also to provide weight loss, girth reduction, and “rock hard” abs. Do they really work?
A. While an EMS device may be able to temporarily strengthen, tone or firm a muscle, no EMS devices have been cleared at this time for weight loss, girth reduction, or for obtaining “rock hard” abs.
Q. Is FDA concerned about the unregulated marketing of these devices?
A. Yes. FDA has received reports of shocks, burns, bruising, skin irritation, and pain associated with the use of some of these devices. There have been a few recent reports of interference with implanted devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators. Some injuries required hospital treatment. It is very important that these devices be properly designed, manufactured, and labeled with clear and complete instructions for use and that anyone using them follows the instructions carefully. FDA is also concerned because many of these devices have cables and leads. If those cables and leads do not comply with electrical safety standards, there is the possibility of electrocution by users and other household members. FDA is currently investigating firms that are illegally marketing EMS devices.
Q. What does FDA regulation accomplish?
A. Firms that market EMS devices are required to comply with appropriate FDA premarket regulatory requirements before they may legally sell their devices. The firm must be able to demonstrate that these devices are as safe and as effective as similar devices that are legally marketed. Devices may only be marketed for uses that are established for the device or for uses that the firm can support with data. At this time, FDA is not aware of scientific information to support many of the promotional claims being made for numerous devices being widely promoted on television, infomercials, newspapers, and magazines.
Q. If I use an electrical muscle stimulator that has met FDA regulatory requirements, will it give me the same kind of effect that lots of sit-ups, stomach crunches and other abdominal exercises will?
A. Using these devices alone will not give you “six-pack” abs. Applying electrical current to muscles may cause muscles to contract. Stimulating muscles repeatedly with electricity may eventually result in muscles that are strengthened and toned to some extent but will not, based on currently available data, create a major change in your appearance without the addition of diet and regular exercise.
At David’s Way to Health and Fitness, we have dedicated ourselves to helping others to lose body fat to healthy levels through nutrition and exercise. We have not in the past, or now sugar coat how you can achieve this. There are no short cuts, and a healthy body dictates that you are committed to yourself enough to make a true commitment to a healthier body for the rest of your life. If you are not prepared to dedicate yourself to healthier living for he rest of your life, you have already lost your battle.
Your life expectancy can easily be shortened as a direct result.
It can be said that “Life aint fair”.
While this might be true, it is the reality we live in. But we can help you along the way if you choose to follow our methodology which can be found at this link.
Subscriptions to David’s Way to Health and Fitness are easy and free for all. Our content will always be free to our wonderful readers, that is my pledge. Our work is a direct result of personal experiences, along with diligent study and research to ensure our integrity is never compromised. We welcome questions and comments and will answer all.
Almond Breeze Unsweetened Chocolate and Vanilla are lactose and soy free milk substitutes that contain just 40 and 30 calories per cup respectively. These drinks are low on the glycemic index, making them an excellent choice for people who want to avoid sugar in their diet.
I found both flavors to have a pleasant enough, yet mild underlying natural almond flavor to compliment the chocolate and vanilla which are mild in their own right, without being overly sweet as many of these drinks can be. To be honest, if you are one who cares about having a creamier and sweeter drink, you will likely be disappointed in these products. However, these were the qualities I enjoyed about them both. In my humble opinion, I think these almond milks make a more refreshing drink than actual milk products as they are relatively creamy in consistency, but they do not have the thickness of cow’s milk.
Nutrition
As you can see from the nutrition data on both flavors of the Almond Breeze, these are healthy beverages that are entirely diabetic friendly. There is nothing objectionable I can see with either of these drinks and find that as a low calorie choice, these are most excellent for those who are trying to reduce their body fat. My only gripe is that I wish they were higher in protein per serving, but that is okay since I get my daily protein needs filled from a variety of sources anyhow.
Price
You should be able to find these products on your grocers shelves at about $2.00 per 32-ounce shelf-stable quart and $4.00 per 64-ounce refrigerated half gallon. Mothers, this is not a bad price to spend on a healthy choice for your children. You could easily spend a significant amount more on sugary drink boxes. Another great aspect to these products is that Almond Breeze Almond Milk is widely available in natural food stores and large grocery chains in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe, and Asia!
I love to be able to do a positive review and Enlightened is supplying me with good opportunities to do just that. This “No Sugar Added” ice cream bar is delightful. The bar is thick and rich and gives you the feeling of indulgence as soon as you open the package.
Flavor
It’s hard to go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate in the same product! This ice cream reminds me of Reese’s Cups and that’s a very good thing. Since they contain erythritol and monk fruit extract for zero calorie sweeteners, they are sweet enough to satisfy your ice cream craving but they will not raise your blood sugar and they are not habit forming like sugar sweetened offerings. The peanuty goodness is quite nicely complimented with the small, dark chocolate chips. Because the chocolate chips are dark and rich, the sprinkling in the bar is perfect.
Texture
Just like the Mint Keto Collection Enlightened Bars, these bars are creamy as they begin to soften when you eat them. Interestingly enough, they manage to be creamy while staying on the stick. One of my pet peeves with ice cream on a stick is that it falls off. Not so with these Enlightened products. They stay on the stick quite well as they soften on your tongue and last a long time, which is always a good thing.
Nutrition
These bars have 190 calories, 1 gram of Net Carbs (12 total-8 sugar alcohol-3 fiber), 17 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein. They have no added sugars, which is a requirement in ice cream for me. I believe that their wonderful creaminess may come from the coconut oil that you can see in the list of ingredients. Coconut oil is an integral part of my world.
$Price$ and Availability
I bought these scrumptious ice cream bars at Publix for $5.99 for 4 bars. Publix is just one of a group of grocery stores that are nationwide. You should be able to find these bars. At $1.50 each, they are a steal. An unhealthy treat from an ice cream shop will cost you much more initially and then you must add the cost of going to get it and the long-term effects of a sugar addiction. No Sugar Added treats like this can save you a world of hurt. They give you a quick fix and also help you break your sugar addiction. If you like ice cream and you want to ditch the addiction, you might want to look for some today.
You might want to read my review of the Mint bars herefor a little extra information on the brand overall. David has also reviewed the Vanilla pint here. Overall, we are quite impressed with this brand of “No Sugar Added” ice cream.
I’m seriously thinking about creating a section on my website that would be dedicated entirely to worthless fitness equipment. There are tons of places where you can find great home workout equipment, but how many are there who will tell those new to the idea of physical fitness what to not waste their hard earned money on? Have you ever heard the old adage;
A fool and his money are soon parted.
If you have considered incorporating physical fitness into your lifestyle, this of course would be a wise decision on your part, you are not a fool. The problem is, there are a multitude of unscrupulous business people who see you as a gullible fool. They would not market worthless contraptions if they were not extracting money from the pockets of hard working people, now would they? I have no problem with businesses making good profits for worthy products and or services. My problem only lies with modern day “Snake Oil” salesmen who will take complete advantage of those who may not know any better.
Damn, just look at that add. For $109.90 US you can get everything you need to “start building real strength in a few minutes a day”. You are going to do this with their phone stand and the contraption that will be linked to your phone. They claim this is the “ideal way to get started”!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Simply put, you are going to squeeze the contraption between the palms of your hands for an isometric hold.
From the Activ5 website:
Using your max power as a baseline, the Activ5 training app will dynamically creates a “coaching curve” for each exercise.
Your goal is to apply just enough pressure, while holding the described pose, to keep the dot on the line. Apply more or less force to move the dot up and down.
Please, do not feel the need to buy a high dollar device for isometric holds. If you feel compelled to do isometric holds with an object, there should be plenty of items you could find around your home such as a deck of cards, a small ball etc…
Do not believe this lie!
From Activ5 website:
Get great results in a fraction of the time
All you need is 5 minutes, your Activ5 and your phone to see and feel a difference.
Want to look great?
Build confidence and get the look you’ve been dreaming of.
Build lean, toned muscle by using your own body as the resistance Strengthen the weak muscles that cause poor posture Finish your workouts with Activ5 to promote maximum muscle growth
I do not want you to think isometric exercises are bad, to the contrary they can be helpful. What I am opposed to is an unscrupulous business selling you a worthless device to do them with for far too much money.
In case you do not know what isometric exercises are:
Isometric exercises are when you contract a particular muscle or group of muscles. During isometric exercises, the muscle doesn’t noticeably change length and the affected joint doesn’t move. You contract your muscles and then hold that contraction for a period of time. Isometric exercises can help to build and maintain strength, but not so effectively. If you are going to exercise at all, I always preach that you need to make the best use of your time.
Because isometric exercises are done in one position without movement, they’ll improve strength in only one particular position. It is necessary to do a variety of isometric exercises through your limb’s whole range of motion to improve muscle strength across the range. In addition, since isometric exercises are done in a static position, they won’t help improve speed or athletic performance. They can be useful for enhancing stabilization, but not much else. You are not going to find yourself going from being overweight and out of shape to being fit and trim unless you are diligent about your nutritional habits first and foremost. I believe that once you come to the realization that your money could have been better spent, you will find this contraption to be boring. Before you plunk down your dough on the Activ5, go to the wall and press against it for a few sets. You will find it’s kind of like standing in the corner during elementary school. You must enjoy something to maintain consistency at it, and it is only a few who could truly say they enjoy Isometric exercises.
If you are wanting to get into better physical condition through nutrition and exercise, then check out my article Beginning Diet and Fitness by clicking this link. You can also join our other subscribers to receive each and every new article straight to your email. Subscriptions are, and always will be, free and easy to all.
I was picking up some creatine the other day and spotted these bars just above the protein powders. I had not seen them before so decided I had to give them a try and then do a review on them.
I liked the taste. I thought the flavor was quite similar to that of semi-sweet chocolate chips. The chocolate is not overly sweet and has a slight bitterness to it much like good dark chocolates. There was no underlying flavor of artificial sweeteners like you can find with many protein bars on the market.
I liked the texture too. The texture was chewy, almost brownie like. So far, so good. I would like to try other flavors going forward.
Nutrition:
Coming in at 200 calories per serving with 14 grams protein, 13 net grams of carbs with 14 grams of protein and zero added sugar is good. The nutrition gets better in that these bars also provide Vitamin D, Iron, Riboflavin, Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium. They make for a nutritionally sound snack item.
Ingredients:
Good Lord, look at all the ingredients. I normally steer clear of anything with so many. However, there is nothing bad in this list. I like that these bars have taste almost decadent and indulgent, while providing low glycemic, high protein support as part of your daily nutrition. What I’m not crazy about is their claim of being a weight loss bar. They contain 13-14g of organic prebiotic fiber to help you feel fuller longer which is good. But, you might experience a little bowel trouble if you eat more than one in a day while not drinking enough water. Excess fiber intake can cause constipation or diarrhea for many people. Think of fiber as bulk that attracts water in the GI tract. If you don’t consume enough water, dehydration of the GI tract can occur. This can lead to hardening and difficulty passing the stools. The average male adult should take in about 30 to 38 grams of fiber a day and for women the recommendation is 21 to 25 grams. So, if you eat more than one of these bars in a day along with other fiber rich foods, you could very well find yourself having bowel issues that nobody ever wants.
This product contains Svetol, or green coffee extract which has been touted as being good for losing weight. Here is what Healthline.com has to say:
There haven’t been a lot of studies on chlorogenic acids and their effectiveness as weight loss supplements. A review of human studies did show that green coffee extract may have the potential to help with weight loss. But the documented effects on weight loss were small, and the studies weren’t long term. The studies were also poorly designed. So, there isn’t enough evidence to say that the supplements are effective or safe. More research is needed.
This product also contains ashwagandha, 150mg of which is alleged to help you feel fuller longer. What in the world is this ingredient?
Ayurvedic medicine uses herbs, special diets, and other natural practices as treatment for a variety of conditions. In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is considered a Rasayana. That means it’s an herb that helps maintain youth, both mentally and physically.
Historically, the roots of ashwagandha have been used to treat:
arthritis
constipation
insomnia
skin conditions
stress
gastrointestinal issues
diabetes
nervous breakdowns
fevers
snake bites
memory loss
The leaves, seeds, and even fruit have all been used in different ways for various treatments. Today, ashwagandha is sold as a supplement in the United States. It’s still used to treat many of the conditions listed above. It also continues to be important in Indian medicine.
Ashwagandha may be used in powdered form in dosages ranging from 450 milligrams to 2 grams. So, with only 150 mg being in a bar, it seems there may be too little of it to have any of the benefits alleged to the use of it. Ashwagandha and Ayurvedic medicine still remain somewhat of a mystery to modern science. Many of the studies so far have been too small, done only on animals, or had some flaws in their design. For this reason, researchers can’t say with certainty that it’s an effective treatment.
The bottom line is, these bars are nutritionally sound and taste pretty good if you like semi sweet to dark chocolate. However, they should only be a part of a diet that is carefully managed by tracking your intake of calories and macronutrients. This is true of all protein bars and protein supplements though. My concern is there are people out there who will see “Weight Loss Bar” and just assume these will help them to lose weight without making other changes. I know this sounds ridiculous to some of you reading this, but rest assured, there are people who think like this. We have encountered more than a few over the last couple years of running this website. Sometimes people who are desperate to lose weight, only think emotionally instead of pragmatically. I hate that there are products which are marketed as weight loss products that actually do little to nothing for weight loss. The “Snake Oil” salesmen of years past are still here, they just do not travel in wagons any longer. Now, they get their message out to the masses of gullible customers through instore and internet marketing.
As with any other food source, you have to use common sense when consuming them. Never just read a label and assume the product will work as advertised. Have an inquisitive mind, your health and welfare depend on it.
No other protein bar tastes like sneaking a spoonful of cookie dough straight from the bowl – that’s why Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is one of our best-selling flavors.
I first heard about Quest brand protein bars on a prominent weight loss social media forum that I follow. Folks were excitedly raving about how good these sweet treats were for satisfying their sweet tooth while not being loaded down with sugar, yet full of healthy protein and fiber. I just had to try a few of the flavors for myself, especially when I heard how good the chocolate chip cookie dough protein bars can be when heated briefly in the microwave.
Looking at the nutritional values, these bars seemed to be quite promising, especially given all the hype I have seen in regards to them. And I have to admit, that I have always loved chocolate chip cookie dough. Hell, who doesn’t?
The bar looked quite appetizing when I opened the package. It actually did resemble cookie dough. When I took the first bite, the taste was not so bad, in fact, despite being a bit too sweet, it was indeed pleasant. The chewy texture was good too. As I took my second bite, the taste became sweeter, and then even sweeter with the remaining bites until I came to a conclusion of what I thought about these bars;
If your mother or grandmother ever makes chocolate chip cookie dough that tastes like this, then do all a favor and break their mixing bowl and spoon. Close their kitchen!
I tried to like this product. In fairness, I had a second bar which I did heat in the microwave which only served to make that sickening sweet taste even worse. That gross sweetness overpowers everything about this protein bar, it is all you can taste after a couple bites. It is almost a sweet chemical flavor that completely ruins the bars. I have sampled other flavors such as cinnamon roll, cookies and cream, and blueberry muffin. It is the same experience with each I have tried. The initial taste and texture were good upon the first bite, and then it all goes down hill with each subsequent bite. Every flavor I tried all ended up tasting the same as the other. Just a sickening, artificial chemical like taste.
Nutritionally, this product is sound enough if you do not care about the taste. Even though I thought they were nasty, you might enjoy them. It appears that many people do. I believe the worse part of the taste comes from the stevia since it can leave a bad aftertaste for some people. Not all are susceptible to the taste, but apparently, I am susceptible. I was hoping to enjoy these bars, instead I found that I cannot recommend them to anyone…
I thought I was done having to leave the house this afternoon when my better half asked me to pick up her prescriptions at the drugstore for her. Being the wonderful, loving, best husband ever, that I am, I ventured back out for her. As luck would have it, the protein and supplement aisle leads me straight to the pharmacy in the back. Like a kid browsing excitedly in the toy aisle, I get the same over nutritional supplements. I like to try protein bars to see what my future competitors are putting out to market since I have a few recipes I have perfected and plan to get to market too once I find a commercial bakery that is reasonable enough.
When I read a label and it says Chocolate Fudge Brownie, I expect the product to at least bear some semblance to a brownie. The bar looked appetizing enough before I bit into it, but the texture was nothing close to being brownie like. All I could think was it seemed as if someone had moistened some powdered whey protein enough for it to bind and then pressed it into a bar. It was dense enough to not be powdery, but not by a very large margin. However, the flavor was not bad. It was chocolaty, and had bits of almond in it. This redeemed it enough that I would eat one again to be polite if someone gave it to me, but I am not going to buy another one anytime soon. The texture might not be an issue to many of you, but I just found it to be a little weird for my palate.
Although these protein bars have a funky texture, they are nutritionally sound enough and do not taste horrible. Word of caution though, these bars contain 15 grams of fiber and could cause the same effect as Citrucel or any other fiber supplement to help you with your bowel movements. Just something to consider…
This product caught my eye today when strolling down the freezer aisle of my grocery store. Chai, Cocoa & Pumpkin Seed Wrap sounded good, and the fact it has 13 grams of protein and 0 grams of added sugar made the purchase an easy choice for me. I am always looking for good protein bars that taste good while not being a glorified candy bar as many of them are. There is nothing about this product that resembles candy.
This product can be eaten thawed, heated in a microwave, or toasted in a toaster oven. I heated mine in the microwave, but plan to toast them in the future should I buy it again. (I probably will)
At first bite, I was a little disappointed because I was hoping for a chocolate taste being as cocoa is listed on the front of the label. I could not detect any at all, but that was not a deal killer for me. I found the texture to be somewhere between that of bread and cake. I was hoping for a little chewiness, but again, this was no where near reason enough for me to not enjoy it. I enjoyed the texture and the delicious flavor was a perfect blend of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Wheat flour is the main ingredient, but the bar did not have a wheat flavor to it at all.
If you are gluten sensitive, you need to be aware of the wheat and also the added wheat gluten.
These bars are a little higher in carbs than I would typically eat in a snack. Yet, at 4 grams of fiber per serving and 13 grams of protein, I would not mind having one in my lunch box every so often when I am out on the road in my semi.
I’m anxious to try some more of Sweet Earth’s POGO products, but have one word of caution to those who do not consume added sugar — some of them do have added sugar. As with any food that is new to you, be sure to read the nutrition and ingredient labels before making your purchase.
