298351 Fri Sep 03 14:22:36 -0700 2004 12 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1649546 My son wants one in his lunch. I know nothing about them since adding to my intake has never been a concern. Are any of them good or, at least, palatable? Fri Sep 03 14:22:36 -0700 2004 0 frustrated mom 1 1649549 I eat Balance Bars- the plain kind, not Gold or plus. It depends what he wants to get from them- if it is just something to munch on, I just discovered Larabars- only chopped fruit and nuts- great! Whatever you do, steer clear of the house brand from Whole Foods and Think Thin- boy are they nasty!!! Westerly has a large selection- you might want to do a taste test... Fri Sep 03 14:29:58 -0700 2004 1649546 0 carfreeinla 1 1649553 My favorite protein bar for flavor and nutrition is the PR BAR chocolate/peanut butter flavor See PR Bar link below. And, there are others I like, too. Protein bars are many and varied, some delicious, some not so. Maybe when some of his classmates are eating a candy bar, he wants to nosh on something similar, but with more protein? He's got a great choice there. Protein is good for the brain development as well as muscles. I suggest reading the label to get one with the most protein in it and not just a meal replacement bar. And, it should have some fat content in it. ** Many of these are not over the counter at the store and sold at health food stores or gyms. ** Here's what you can tell him if he doesn't want any fat in it. "The fat in the PR*Bar is an essential nutrient. It plays a vital role in several biochemical responses. First, it slows the entry of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, helping to maintain steady blood sugar. Second, fat promotes the release of CCK, a hormone that promotes the feeling of fullness. This process is vital; you will find it extremely difficult to overindulge. Third, fat converts to essential fatty acids responsible for important hormonal production necessary for fat metabolism. You cannot burn bodyfat without these "EFAs". " See, also some choices at http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/barspage.htm For more info, see, also, http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/protbarfinder.htm And, flavor is key, right? PR Bars chocolate/peanut butter are very tasty. Link: http://www.prbar.com/csp/gsh/prbar/index.csp Fri Sep 03 14:40:55 -0700 2004 1649546 0 kc girl 2 1649791 "you will find it extremely difficult to overindulge" Either that's some really special fat in that bar, or that's a suspect statement. I have witnessed a whole lot of overindulging in fat by myself and others. Tue Sep 07 14:49:46 -0700 2004 1649553 0 danna 3 1649848 That specific scrutiny is right on. LOL - you mean like cinnamon rolls, generously marbled meat, movie theater buttered popcorn, chocolate cake with decorating frosting?! However, knowing that one sentence is the context of informing many of those that do not eat a proper amount of (or any) fat in their regulary diet thinking simply that "fat makes you fat," I would not discount their full statement at all. It is a proven fact that dietary fat helps you to feel "full" or satisfied and often (surprisingly?) an ingredient found in "comfort foods." Do you agree? Recent diet trends have misinformed people about how beneficial some fats are in one's diet and people are avoiding them totally. They'd be surprised how they would feel satisfied sooner and longer if they included some fat (not tantamount amounts) in their diet. But, again, singly, that one statement could be suspect (should we tell them?), especially to those looking for a miracle cure or enjoy overindulging in fats. Wed Sep 08 12:15:35 -0700 2004 1649791 0 kc girl 1 1649560 Heres a link to the Washington Post's review of a few bars... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16361-2004Jul26.html (Reassemble the URL on one line to make it work.) In general, thumbs down on them all. Fri Sep 03 15:01:34 -0700 2004 1649546 0 mirror 1 1649568 For pure flavor, the ProMax brand of cookies and cream is so darn tasty. Like another poster said it depends on his purpose. The Designer Whey protein bars have one of the best combinations of protein sources, and they taste decent as well. There's a new bar that I just discovered, but the name is escaping me that is also a quality protein source. Will post it when I remember it. Fri Sep 03 16:09:09 -0700 2004 1649546 0 Emme 2 1649569 Just remembered... Tri-O-plex is a great nutritional value bar, but as I said, it depends on what he wants them for. Can't go wrong with these for extra protein if he's lifting and looking to put on mass. Just make sure if that's his goal that he's stocking up on plenty of lean meats and hearty carbs like brown rice, yams, oatmeal... high fiber whole grain carbs. Fri Sep 03 16:14:04 -0700 2004 1649568 0 Emme 2 1649572 I agree, my incredibly picky 10 yr. old daughter likes cookies and cream Promax bar. As sad as this sounds, it's one of the healthiest things she'll eat at this point. Fri Sep 03 17:06:45 -0700 2004 1649568 0 Chowpatty 1 1649579 My favorites are Cliff Bars and Balance Bars. Some people I know like Power Bars, I don't especially like them, but occasionally eat them. I do not think all Cliff Bars are high protein. I get my CB and BB at Costco, and used to get PB at Costco. ~$1 each, in quantity. Fri Sep 03 18:05:57 -0700 2004 1649546 0 Alan408 1 1649580 Although I have just tried their liquid protein in a can, Pure Protein has a protein bar. Based on a taste comparison of the liquid proteins, I would venture to say that the Pure Protein bar would taste good. And, I have seen them over the counter in grocery store (Trader Joe's) in my area. Better taste one before buying a whole box. Maybe also find them at a sports nutrition store. Link: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/musclesurf/purprotbar.html Fri Sep 03 18:19:58 -0700 2004 1649546 0 kc girl 1 1649713 I like the chocolate and peanut flavor. My favorites are the ProMax and Slimfast bars. I like the Slimfast ones better, but if your son is in a sensitive age bracket, his buddies might think he's a wuss for eating Slimfast. Bonus tip: Watch the expiration dates on all bars. Once they get old, they really start to deteriorate. Different brands to different things, but they're all best when they're fresh. Mon Sep 06 11:20:20 -0700 2004 1649546 0 lil mikey 1 1649851 i'm a bit of a bar expert. some are good for being the highest in protein, some are good for being the highest in taste. i recently decided not to eat any that had high fructose corn syrup or more than 5 ingredients i couldn't pronounce. i can highly recommend for taste and for healthfulness (though none are super high in protein. the ones that are successfully high protein and low carb are sadly, very artificial, though some are delicious!): clif bars odwalla bars both are all natural and extremely tasty. i love the odwalla super protein bar and the chocolate chip and peanut butter chocolate chip clif bars. Wed Sep 08 12:50:52 -0700 2004 1649546 0 jerusha