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What’s the Best Tasting Protein Bar? | Protein Bar Reviews & Ratings

We Reviewed and Compared Four of the Leading High-Protein Energy Bars to See Which Ones Are Tops in Taste

Protein bars have gone mainstream. No longer found solely in the bottom of bodybuilders’ gym bags, protein bars are now turning up in airplane snack carts, in gas stations, vending machines, party-stores, and even people’s desk drawer at the office. Sales of protein and energy bars have exploded over the past ten years, from $200 million in sales in 1997 to over $1 billion in 2003.

But not all protein bars are created equal when it comes to nutrition and flavor. Despite having lots of protein, many protein and energy bars also come with a hefty serving of sugar, along with a list of arcane ingredients that only a PhD in food science could pronounce and decipher.

The Protein Bar Tasters Challenge 

So I decided to assemble a 13 person team of intrepid taste-testers to discover which of the protein bars were tops when it came to flavor.

For this round of taste testing, we focused on energy bars that had a minimum of 20 grams of protein. Each taster was given a sample of four top protein bar brands, along with a rating sheet for each. The testers were asked to rate the bar on 1-5 scale (with one being “inedible” and five being “yummy”) in two categories: flavor and texture. They were then asked to provide an overall rating, along with any tasting comments.

And then I asked them the ultimate question: “Would ever eat it again?”

Scores are based on an average rating for each category.

The Protein Bars Tested

The brands I chose to review for this round were:

• Met-RX Big 100 Bar (Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough) Meal Replacement Bar
• Clif Builders Cocoa Dipped Double Decker Crisp Bar (Peanut Butter)
• Think Thin Creamy Peanut Butter High Protein Bar
• Detour Carmel Nut Protein Energy Bar from Designer Whey

Who Were the Tasters?

I chose the tasters at random from across the Marketing Team at the office. The sample included a good mix of people who regularly ate energy bars and those who ate them infrequently or never. The sample also was balanced for gender and age. 

So without further ado, let’s take a look at what our tasters found.

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Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal | Healthy Food of the Day

Try This Tasty Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal The Next Time You’re Looking for a Healthy Breakfast Cereal

It’s becoming easier than ever to find healthy, organic whole-grain cold cereals at the grocery store. Just a few years ago, eating whole grain for breakfast generally meant some type of bran flakes. But today, there are dozens of options, from cereals made with exotic grains like kamut, spelt and quinoa, to low-sugar, low-fat versions of breakfast granola.

One of my favorite cold cereals is Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted whole grain cereal. Once you get past the goofy Biblical name and scripture references on the box, you’ll find an excellent whole grain cereal that is high in protein and fiber and low in fat.

Ezekiel 4:9 is made with sprouted grains and beans, specifically wheat, barley, soy and lentil beans, spelt and millet.  The recipe is an ancient one, going back to the Old Testament (it was actually a recipe for making bread, not cereal — Ezekiel 4:9 also offers a line of sprouted grain breads as well) and the company, Food for Life, modified the basic Biblical recipe to make a line of sprouted grain products.

But how can sprouted grains make a crunchy cereal? After all, aren’t sprouts green?

Apparently you can sprout grains and then dry them and make a cereal or bread from it.

According to Food for Life, sprouted grains are more nutritious and release more healthy enzymes.  I can’t vouch for this, but the cereal itself is nutritionally solid.


Because it’s made with beans and several whole grains, it’s a complete protein on its own, which is not common in many breakfast cereals. It also has an excellent vitamin and mineral profile, without having a single synthetic vitamin added to the cereal (unlike many mainstream, fortified cereals.)

Also, because the grains aren’t ground into flour, the Ezekiel 4:9 cereal doesn’t have the same effect on blood sugar that more refined, flour-based cold cereals suffer from. The high fiber and truly whole-grain ingredients in the cereal reduce it’s glycemic load and reduce it’s impact on blood sugar.

So how does it taste?

If you’re expecting something sugary, this won’t be the cereal for you.

Ezekiel 4:9 tastes remarkably similar to Grap-Nuts, and even has a similar texture.  Like Grap-Nuts, the flavor is slightly malty and very crunchy.

The cereal comes in three varieties, Golden Flax, Original and Cinnamon and Raisin. There is no added sugar, which means that you may need to sweeten the cereal up slightly with some fresh fruit like bananas, apples or blueberries or even some additional dried fruit like cherries or cranberries.

The cereal is also very easy to digest, and I find that I don’t have some of the same bloating issues with Ezekiel 4:9 that can come with higher-fiber bran cereals made from whole-grain flour.

I checked the Food for Life website, and there is actually an explanation for this. Apparently, when you sprout the grain, the carbohydrates in the grain are converted into maltose, which is ordinarily done by the body during digestion. This pre-digests the nutrients for you.  

If you’re not a big cold breakfast cereal person, try including some Ezekiel 4:9 into your homemade granola, or kick it up a bit with some dried fruit for a portable trail mix snack.

In terms of cost, a 16 oz box will run you between $5-$6 dollars — definitely not inexpensive. But like many organic whole grain cereals, you pay for what you get. The cereal itself is pretty satisfying, so a 57 gram serving usually does the trick when combined with some skim milk.

If you can’t Ezekiel 4:9 at your local grocer, try a health or organic food store.

Nutritional Information - Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal (Golden Flax)

Serving Size: 1/2 cup (57 grams)

Calories: 180
Fat: 2.5 grams
Saturated Fat: 0 grams
Trans Fats: 0 grams
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 190 mg
Potassium: 190 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 37 grams
Dietary Fiber: 6 grams
Sugars: 0 grams
Protein: 8 grams

Vitamin and Minerals*

Vitamin A: 0%
Calcium: 0%
Thiamin: 15%
Niacin: 15%
Folic Acid: 6%
Phosphorus: 15%
Zinc: 8%
Vitamin C: 0%
Iron: 10%
Riboflavin: 6%
Vitamin B6: 10%
Panthothenic Acid: 15%
Magnesium: 15%
Copper: 10%

* Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calories diet. Your values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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What is Whey Protein Powder and Do I Need It? | Diet and Nutrition

Find Out How Whey Protein Powder Went from Dairy Underdog to Nutritional Superstar

Whey protein seems to be everywhere. 

One of the top selling (and most heavily-marketed) nutritional and sports supplements on the market today, whey protein turns up as an ingredient in everything from smoothies to nutrition bars to high-protein cereals.  Personal trainers often include whey as part of their clients’ diet plan, smoothie bars offer it mixed with ice and fruit, and aspiring bodybuilders and soccer moms alike seem to have found a permanent place for a tub of whey protein powder in their pantries.

But what exactly is whey protein powder? Where does this stuff come from? And do you really need it?

A Brief History of Whey Protein

Whey is a natural by-product of the cheese-making process. Milk contains two primary proteins: casein and whey.  Whey composes about 20% of milk proteins, and casein comprises the remaining 80%. So when you drink a glass of milk, you are consuming both casein proteins and whey proteins.

During the cheese-making process, an enzyme called rennet is added to milk to curdle it. The curds are used to make cheese, and the remaining liquid is whey.

Historically, this liquid was considered more-or-less useless. Indeed, the dairy industry had so much excess whey that they struggled with disposing of the surplus. Some of it found its way into swine or cattle feed, where it appeared to produce larger, meatier cows or pigs, but a great deal of it also ended up in the landfill.

Which was really a shame, because the cattle farmers were on to something. It turns out that whey is extremely rich is three milk proteins – specifically beta-lactoglobulin (~65%), alpha-lactalbumin (~25%), and serum albumin (~8%) — which are more easily digested by the body than any other protein, including the holy grail of protein, eggs.

There was just one problem: Whey in its naturally occurring form is a sloppy, liquid mess.  It also has very little flavor. Trying to sell the world on a great protein source that has to be refrigerated and doesn’t have much taste would challenge even the best marketer.

Enter modern technology.  Scientists figured out a way (no pun intended) to “dry” and powder-ize whey, while still maintaining it’s basic nutritional profile.  The result was whey powder, which could be reconstituted in liquids while still preserving its protein values.

The rest, as they say, is history.

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Low-Fat Oatmeal Protein Pancakes with Cottage Cheese | Healthy Recipes

Looking for a healthy start to your day? Try this recipe for low-fat oatmeal protein pancakes made extra-rich with an unexpected ingredient: low-fat cottage cheese!

Pancakes and waffles aren’t typically considered “health” foods. They are usually high in simple carbs (especially when you add syrup or powdered sugar), high-in-fat thanks to the oil and butter, and generally low in protein.

But with a few changes in ingredients, it is possible to have your Sunday morning pancakes without even knowing that that you are eating a low-fat, high-protein version of a food that is usually off-limits for people trying to eat healthy.

This recipe, courtesy of Liz Fitness,  uses low-fat cottage cheese to as a replacement for the usual oil and whole eggs in pancakes; replaces the highly-refined, high-glycemic pancake mix with whole grain oats, and uses fresh berries as a sweet and healthy alternative to the typical puddle of Log Cabin syrup.

Even better, the cottage cheese and egg whites in the recipe help boost the protein content of these pancakes, making this a perfect breakfast before heading to the gym.

The addition of an artificial sweetener like Splenda is optional. Try pureed fresh stawberries, mashed raspberries and even sliced bananas for a touch of sweetness. Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.

Or splurge a little bit with a tablespoon of REAL maple syrup, which only adds an additional 50 calories to the recipe. Instead of butter, try a tablespoon of natural peanut butter which is rich in healthy fats. This tastes particularly well with the maple syrup.

Low-Fat Oatmeal Protein Pancakes with Cottage Cheese

Recipe makes two servings of three, 1/4 cup pancakes

Ingredients

1/2 cup egg whites
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup frozen, warmed berries with their juices as a topping or sugar free syrup
Splenda to taste

Directions

1. Blend first four ingredients until smooth (I use the magic bullet; if you use a blender be sure to put the wet ingredients in first)
2. Pour approximately 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto heated griddle or non-stick pan (check to see if its hot enough with a splash of water-if it sizzles, its hot enough)
3. When pancake bubbles, flip and cook the other side
4. Top with frozen, organic strawberries-warmed and sliced and poured over the top with their juices. Or substitute fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or bananas.  You can use Splenda to taste.

Nutrition Facts

Makes 2 Servings (Three ¼ cup pancakes with ¼ cup strawberries)

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 254.5
Total Fat: 3.3 g
Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 1.0 g
Cholesterol: 2.3 mg
Sodium: 280.0 mg
Potassium: 297.8 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 33.8 g
Dietary Fiber: 5.3 g
Sugars: 2.5 g
Protein: 21.3 g

Vitamin A 0.9 %
Vitamin B-12 5.9 %
Vitamin B-6 5.0 %
Vitamin C 37.9 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 2.4 %
Calcium 9.1 %
Copper 14.4 %
Folate 9.5 %
Iron 13.2 %
Magnesium 19.5 %
Manganese 104.0 %
Niacin 3.5 %
Pantothenic Acid 7.1 %
Phosphorus 29.7 %
Riboflavin 9.9 %
Selenium 7.8 %
Thiamin 21.4 %
Zinc 12.2 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

See the original recipe from Liz Fitness.

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The Special K Diet - Does It Work? | Diet Reviews

Can Eating Special K® Cereal Really Help You Lose Weight?

I’ve noticed lately on Yahoo Answers a lot of questions around the Special K diet.  Does it work? Can it help me lose body fat or weight? And more importantly, is it sustainable?

So I decided to dig a little deeper on this particular diet, since it seems to be gaining in popularity.

First, it’s important to understand that to be successful at hitting your fat loss and overall fitness goals, you have to stop thinking about “a diet” as something you do before your vacation to the Caribbean.  Your “diet” is a combination of your choices in food and your lifestyle, not something you do for a few weeks. In other words, it’s a long term commitment to eating more healthy.

That said, can eating Special K cereal help you lose body fat or weight?

What Is The Special K Diet?

According to Kellogg’s website, the Special K Diet has you eating a serving of Special K cereal for breakfast with 2/3 cup skim milk and some form of fresh fruit, or a Special K waffle with light syrup. 

You then replace another meal with a serving of Special K Cereal, or one of their “meal replacement” products, which is typically a Special K Protein Bar.  You then eat your third meal (dinner?) as you normally would.

The Special K diet then allows you two snacks during the day, but they need to be Special K products — either Special K cereal or their pre-packaged snacks like Special K Protein Snack Bars,  Protein Water and Mixes, Special K Cereal Bars, or Special K Snack Bites. You are also encouraged to eat fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the day.

With this diet plan, they tell you that you can lose up to “1 inch from your waist in two weeks.”

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Cottage Cheese | Healthy Food of the Day from Answer Fitness®

Build Lean Mass Without the Fat and Calories with One of the Dairy Group’s Super Foods

It’s 9 pm and you’re getting the those evening snack cravings. You feel like breaking out the nacho chips, but your fitness sense tell you to find something healthy that will carry you through the rest of the evening.

What do you do?

You reach for the cottage cheese.

There’s a good reason that the refrigerators of healthy, fitness conscious-people usually have at least one container of lowfat cottage cheese. It’s one of the most filling “diet” foods you can eat, and it’s loaded with protein and calcium. It’s also extremely versatile, and can serve as a healthy cheese substitute in all kinds of recipes, from dips to enchiladas to lasagna.

But before we talk about all of the uses of cottage cheese, let’s take a look at what it is, how cottage cheese is made, and it’s nutritional profile.

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Should I Count Calories? | Diet and Nutrition

Counting calories can help you identify weak links in your diet. Learn how and when to calorie count without going crazy.

Few topics generate more debate then whether counting calories is an effective strategy for long-term fat loss.

The anti-calorie counting camp says that obsessing on calories alone can cause people to ignore the nutritional composition of their diet, and continue to eat unhealthy even if they are eating fewer calories. They’ll also point out that counting calories accurately and consistently can be a tedious and time-consuming activity, and may actually de-motivate people to eat healthier.

The pro-calorie counting side, advocates will point out that without having a good idea of how many calories you are consuming each day, it can be difficult to lose fat and avoid hitting fat loss plateaus later on. And because most people underestimate how many calories they are actually eating, counting calories can help provide a reality check.

So what should you do? Count calories or not count calories?

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