Protein Bar Showdown: The 10 Best-Tasting Bars of 2007

Protein bars are beefed-up candy, no doubt. That said, bars have benefits:

1. In a pinch, protein bars are better than actual candy

2. Bars provide automatic portion control; it's a 200 Calorie snack, which is impossible to gauge when eating out of a larger container

3. They are usually fortified with vitamins.

4. Bars are portable and shelf stable; this eliminates the excuse to buy fast food. Furthermore, a bar can be eaten before food shopping to prevent nasty impulse buys.

5. Protein bars may be eaten in 30 seconds, so they are easy to whip out and and eat during a busy work day; this minimal effort will prevent binges later at night.

Important points to keep in mind concerning bars:

1. Bars are not adequate as a sole source of nutrition; limit yourself to 1-2 bars per day.

2. A bar is a mini-meal. Don't eat a bar and then immediately eat another meal

3. Many bars, especially low-carb bars, contain sugar alcohols; sugar alcohols will feel like nuclear holocaust in your bowels and cause social embarrassment. Beware of ingredients ending in "ol" in the ingredients section; for example, maltitol and sorbitol--resist the $0.25 low-carb bars on clearance.

4. Many bars contain mostly saturated fats; not healthy; 'nuff said.

5. Again, bars are highly processed. They are tasty and useful as a diet aid but should not be a major source of nutrition.

All the bars I have chosen are about 200 Calories and are relatively easy to find in most family department stores. Now for the list, in reverse tastiness order: (PS- if you don't like peanut butter or chocolate, find another blog!)

10. Zone Peanut Butter

This bar used to be the best-tasting bar on the market; however, their formulation has changed at least twice over the last 2-3 years. I suspect the original recipe contained more fat than was listed on the label. In any case, the bar is still good and deserves a place on the list, albeit the last place.

9. PowerBar Nut Naturals Mixed Nut

For those you who don't like the over-processed texture and taste of most bars, this one is primarily a little slab of soy protein and nuts, without an over-sweetened, gummy protein layer. Nuts provide the majority the fat, which is a healthy source; however, the fat content is higher than most bars. Furthermore, since the bar does not have a coating, it fairs well in the car in hot climates.

8. Zone Strawberry Yogurt

Zone makes many tasty bars; you almost can't go wrong with any of them; however, most are way too high in saturated fat to include in a regular rotation.

7. Balance Mint Crunch

Seriously, you'd think you were eating Girl Scout Thin Mints. This layered bar is ultra-tasty, but, unfortunately, is also a little too high in saturated fat for comfort.

6. Zone Fudge Graham

5. PayDay Protein Bar

Just like the candy bar, the protein bar is covered in a layer of scrumptious roasted peanuts; the center is a soft protein filling (assuming its not stored in your truck in the dead of winter). This bar is also car-safe in hot climates.

4. Balance Cookie Dough

Wow, this bar is good. The drawbacks are a small volume and high-fructose corn-syrup in the ingredients list.

3. Cliff Mojo Peanut Butter

Note I said the peanut butter and NOT the peanut. This bar is not overly sweet and has wonderful peanut butter flavor. Unfortunately the protein is not as high and most other bars and the fat is a little high, though the fat is not primarily saturated. The first time I bit into this bar I declared it "the best bar ever!" I've since modified my view, but it's still damn good.

2. Balance Yogurt Honey Peanut

Despite the high-fructose corn syrup, this bar remains one of my favorites. It takes like little sweetened stick of peanut butter goodness. Seriously tasty.

--AND NOW THE WINNER--

1. Snickers Marathon Peanut Butter Energy Bar

This bar is just a little peanut butter flavor experience. I believe this is probably due to a generous use of peanut butter AND roasted defatted peanut flour in the ingredients--the combination of both usually yields an off-the-charts peanut flavor!

So remember, eat responsibly; Check the Date--Love Your State.

Jean offers nutrition coaching for weight loss, muscle gain, or any of your personal goals at her office in the Alico building in downtown Waco, TX right in the heart of central Texas. She also offers personal training services at Ironhorse gym on the corner of Franklin and 17th, which is also very convenient to downtown Waco. Contact information can be found on her personal website.