When walking for two hours or more, you need a snack to replenish your energy. Energy bars are one way to get that boost. But dieters beware, they can have almost as much fat and calories as a candy bar. The benefits are generally additional vitamins and a balance of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Think of them more as a meal replacement than a small snack.
1. Clif ZBar
© Pricegrabber
The Clif ZBar is supposed to be an organic energy bar for kids, but I find it the perfect size for me. It's quite tasty with a non-crumbly consistency that is still easy to chew on the go. It has no trans-fats, no high-fructose corn syrup and no hydrogenated oils. Each bar has only 120 calories and is packed with vitamins.
2. Larabar
Wendy Bumgardner ©
The Larabar is a tasty raw food energy bar whose ingredient list is so short you can't believe it - fruit, nuts, and a spice or two. No gluten, no dairy, no soy. The consistency of the bar is excellent - no coatings to melt, easy to break in half, but it doesn't crumble, easy to chew. Really perfect for munching while walking. And the taste - fantastic, with no weird flavors from additives. I need to try all of the varieties of pie and bakery treat flavors.
3. Balance Bar 100 Calorie Bars
© Pricegrabber
Back in the olden days, I could get half-size Balance Bars that were just perfect as an energy snack. Now Balance has a 100 calorie energy bar instead. They crispy bars that include 5 grams of fiber and 100% of your daily antioxidants, plus vitamins C and E.
4. Balance Gold
The Balance Gold line of bars are the tastiest, in my opinion. The Caramel Nut Blast is a good substitute for a Snickers bar, with slightly lower calories - 210, with 7 grams of fat, 15 grams protein, and 23 grams carbohydrate for a 40-30-30 proportion. The drawback - the chocolate coating will melt. But I just lick it off the wrapper. Oh, yeah, it has vitamins and stuff, too.5. Balance Trail Mix Bars
Balance's trail mix series has no melting coatings, so they travel better your pack. About 210 calories each with 7 grams of fat and 14-15 grams of protein. They also contain 23 vitamins and minerals, most providing 25% of the daily minimum requirement. They are touted as having a low glycemic index.6. Clif Bars
Clif Bars tout their all-natural ingredients, and they mostly rely on soy protein. They generally have 220-250 calories with lots of carbos, a generous dollop of protein, and around 6 grams of fat, and lots of added vitamins and minerals. Lots of inventive flavors.7. PowerBar Harvest Whole Grain Energy Bars
PowerBar's Harvest label is very tasty, easy to chew, and features about 240 calories per bar with 45 grams carbohydrate, 7 grams protein, 4.5 grams fat, and lots of vitamins and minerals. The Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavor is perfect to pack along - no coating to melt and it is delicious.8. PowerBar Pria
A lower-calorie and delicious option targeted to women. Pria bars have only 110 calories, 4 grams of soy protein, only 3 grams fat, 23 vitamins and minerals including calcium and folic acid. The Double Chocolate Cookie flavor is great, and the thin chocolate coating won't present much of a melted mess in your pack.9. Clif Luna Bars
Luna bars are also targeted to women, with soy protein and under 200 calories per bar, 4.5 grams fat, 26 grams carbohydrate, 10 grams protein and 22 vitamins and minerals. They come in some great flavors, but I tend not to like their rice crisp base. Most are partially coated but shouldn't melt much in your pack.
