Clif Builder’s MAX Bars

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Team 101

Chances are pretty high that you’ve already heard of the Clif Bar company, but just in case you haven’t, let us get you up-to-date on this nutrition bar company. Clif Bar’s have been around for quite a while now, and they specialize in various product lines that all have to do with nutrition bars–Luna, Clif, Clif Kidz, Kit’s Organic, Mojo, Clif Builder’s, Clif Shot Clif Crunch bars. You can find Clif products at your local grocery store, major chain stores, online, as well as larger warehouse stores like CostCo or Sams Club. For this review, we’ll be looking at a three flavors from their brand new line of Builder’s MAX bars, and what makes these different from their other protein bars, is the fact that these contain 30 grams of protein! To learn more about the Clif Bar company, be sure and head to their web-site for more information on their line of products.

Clif says this of their new MAX bars: ” For your toughest workouts, CLIF Builder’s MAX™ is a great-tasting protein bar with 30g of complete protein and the vitamins & minerals that support protein metabolism. CLIF Builder’s MAX™ never contains artificial sweeteners or flavors, trans-fats or chemically-derived additives”. The first MAX bar we tried out was their Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar, which can best be described as a tantalizing combination of brown sugar, vanilla creamy butter. If you’re a fan of eating the dough before it hits the oven, we recommend trying this brand new flavor from CLIF. The texture of the bar is soft when left at room temperature, but some of our testers preferred the bar just a bit harder and chilled, so they stuck their bar in the fridge for an hour or two. What we love about all of the MAX bars is the fact that they’re multi-level, which ends up giving them a nice range of flavor and texture throughout the bar. Next, we tried out their Caramel Peanut bar, which amazingly tastes like caramels and peanuts. We might sound like we’re lying about this bar, but it actually does taste like a candy bar, with the main difference being that this bar is packed with protein, vitamins and minerals to help support your workout regimen. This bar was a tad crunchier than the previous flavor we tried, mainly because it’s loaded with a layer of soy protein crisps. Lastly, we took a look at their Mint Chocolate Chip bar, which, once again, tastes just like something you shouldn’t be eating because it’s so good. Our testers noted the slightly minty flavor this bar had, which was actually quite refreshing, which most of them compared to a scoop mint chocolate chip ice-cream. Everything we tried for this review was different, but tasty, so we recommend trying all 3 of them out and letting us know what you think of them. Overall (4.5 out of 5).

The pros are that the flavors taste great and like their namesake, the texture is good, you can find them anywhere they sell food, they’re loaded with protein and everything else that helps to fuel your workout, and they have 3 different flavors to choose from.

The cons are that the calories are high for someone that might not need them, and the sugars are a tad high.

Nutritional Information For 1 Clif Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Builder’s MAX Bar:

Calories 380
Fat 12g
Sodium 390mg
Carbs 39g
Fiber 3g
Sugar 30g
Protein 30g

PROBAR Meal Bars Part 3

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Team 101

This is our last and final review of PROBAR’s line of MEAL bars, but they’ve been so good thus far, we have no reason to believe that all four flavors in this review won’t be equally as good. These bars are made with healthful ingredients that you’ve actually seen in a grocery store, hence why they’re probably healthier than the meal you’d be buying from a fast food restaurant on your lunch break. Their line of MEAL bars is pretty expansive, 12 flavors in all, but this review today is going to focus on their 4 new flavors: Double Chocolate, Superfruit Slam, Peanut Butter, and Wholeberry Blast. PROBAR states: “Our company’s goal is to change how the world thinks when it comes to real, whole food. PROBAR products are proof that a food maker can wholeheartedly commit to quality, sustainability—and sheer deliciousness. Part of the Simply Real® promise is sourcing the finest all-natural, 100% vegan organic ingredients from growers who believe in these things as well. As you check out our products, they all have one thing in common: they started with only the best raw ingredients”. To learn more about PROBAR, be sure and check out their web-site for more information on their line of products, as well as how you can order their bars directly from their online store. Lastly, don’t forget to visit the PROBAR Facebook page, and as a special for our Food Review 101 readers, if you enter the code “BLOGGER” when purchasing something from their online store, you will receive 40% off your first purchase!

First, we started off with the Peanut Butter bar, mainly because almost everyone loves a solid tasting peanut butter nutrition bar. PROBAR says: “Pure and simple, fresh from the jar. Enjoy the whole goodness of organic peanut butter and oats”. They weren’t lying when they said pure and simple, because all this bar tastes like is peanut butter. You get some crunch from bits and pieces of peanuts in the mix, but for the most part, this bar is somewhat chewy and delicate. If you’re looking for a classic nutrition bar, be sure and check out this one from PROBAR. After the success of that bar, we took a look at their Superfruit Slam bar, which is super because it’s made with acai berries and other healthful berries you might not have heard of just yet. Our bar had almost whole strawberries still in it, which actually gave it a very refreshing and almost “Pop-Tart” flavor to it. What our testers enjoyed about this bar the most was the fruity flavor that was bursting with each bite we took, making it a good substitute for anyone trying to cut down on processed sweets. Texturally, this bar is the same as the other meal bars, meaning that it’s soft with some chew to it, with the occasional seed or nut mixed in to give it some crunch. Following that, we tried out their highly anticipated Double Chocolate bar, a decadent mixture of cocoa powder, chocolate chips, oats and other healthful ingredients to help get you through the day. Plain and simple, if you’re looking for a very tasty chocolate nutrition bar, buy this. Chocolate lovers will love this bar for the simple reason that it tastes like high quality chocolate, while the rest of us will enjoy this bar because it’s healthier than any other meal we could pack at home. Lastly, we tried our hand at their Wholeberry Blast bar, which just so happens to be made with mostly strawberries and blueberries. What our judges loved about this bar was the natural sweetness that came from the fruit, but the fact that it wasn’t overly sweet was a big bonus. So, the next time you’re looking for a great tasting and healthful nutrition bar, might we suggest you take a look at any bar from the PROBAR MEAL bar line. Overall (4.5 out of 5).

The pros are that the flavors taste great, the texture is soft and chewy, you can buy them in grocery stores or from their online web-site, they’re made with awesomely healthful ingredients, and it’s just an overall great product.

The cons are that the high calorie and fat count might scare off a few people; however, the fat comes from healthful sources like nuts and seeds.

Nutritional Information For 1 Double Chocolate PROBAR MEAL Bar:

Calories 380
Fat 19g
Sodium 210mg
Carbs 48g
Fiber 5g
Sugar 20g
Protein 9g

PROBAR MEAL Bars Part 2

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Team 101

PROBAR has recently introduced a brand new line of “meal” bars, and since we’ve tried a few of their products in the past and thought they were excellent, we figured why not go ahead and try out some of the other flavors they have to offer. This review will focus on 4 new flavors in their line of MEAL bars, and they’re aptly titled that because it’s basically a meal in a bar. These bars are made with healthful ingredients that you’ve actually seen in a grocery store, hence why they’re probably healthier than the meal you’d be buying from a fast food restaurant on your lunch break. Their line of MEAL bars is pretty expansive, 12 flavors in all, but this review today is going to focus on their 4 new flavors: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Original Blend, Superfood Slam and Koka Moka. PROBAR states: “Our company’s goal is to change how the world thinks when it comes to real, whole food. PROBAR products are proof that a food maker can wholeheartedly commit to quality, sustainability—and sheer deliciousness. Part of the Simply Real® promise is sourcing the finest all-natural, 100% vegan organic ingredients from growers who believe in these things as well. As you check out our products, they all have one thing in common: they started with only the best raw ingredients”. To learn more about PROBAR, be sure and check out their web-site for more information on their line of products, as well as how you can order their bars directly from their online store. Lastly, don’t forget to visit the PROBAR Facebook page, and as a special for our Food Review 101 readers, if you enter the code “BLOGGER” when purchasing something from their online store, you will receive 40% off your first purchase!

The first flavor we took a look at was their Koka Moka bar, which they describe as a “delectable mocha flavored bar” that is sure to please any coffee aficionado’s palate. Our first bite into this bar was filled with a rich chocolaty goodness with subtle hints of coffee, combined with just a bit of richness from the addition of almonds and vanilla. Texturally, it has a semi-soft bite to it mixed with a bit of crunchy texture from the bits of sesame and pumpkin seeds mixed in, which we think most people will really enjoy. After that, we moved onto their Superfood Slam bar, and the main and obvious reason for this bar’s name is because it’s mixed with super ingredients like: organic acai berries, pure raspberries, dark chocolate and live greens. If the thought of “live greens” scares you, you’re not alone; however, this bar actually just tastes like raspberries and other sweet delectable fruit. This isn’t as chocolaty as the koka moka bar, but if you’re looking for something a tad sweeter, perhaps you try this bar and let us know what you think in the comments section below. For the most part, all of the bars in this review have the same texture, so expect it to be pretty consistent throughout. The next flavor was perhaps the most anticipated of the bunch, and that’s because the next flavor was their Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip bar. PROBAR says of their delightful concoction: “Which is better peanut butter or chocolate? You don’t have to decide with this ooey-gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip bar packed with swirls of organic peanut butter and dark chocolate that will satisfy all your cravings”. This bar is packed with a peanut butter flavor that we weren’t really expecting, and we think that any peanut butter lover would absolutely love this bar. The chocolate chips were dotted throughout this bar; however, it wasn’t like eating a Reese’s peanut butter cup or anything like that. Their peanut butter chocolate chip bar might be our favorite yet, but with that in mind, we’ll move onto our last flavor. That last flavor just so happens to be their Original Blend, which is a combination of “of whole grain goodness, chunky nuts and moist, delicious fruits”. Our testers thought this bar was definitely the most classic of the bunch, and is perhaps the bar that most resembles the traditional granola bar. It has a sweet flavor to it that combines well with the whole almonds, oats and fruit. Overall (4.5 out of 5).

The cons are that the high calorie and fat count might scare off a few people, however, the fat comes from healthful sources like nuts and seeds.

Nutritional Information For 1 PROBAR Original Blend Bar:

Calories 370
Fat 18g
Sodium 70mg
Carbs 47g
Fiber 6g
Sugar 20g
Protein 9g

PROBAR Introduces New MEAL Bar Flavors And Look

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Team 101

As you’ve seen in our previous reviews of PROBAR, they make some pretty amazing nutrition bars that are actually nutritious for you, as opposed to a few other companies that load up their bars with ingredients that no one should really eat– let alone in a nutrition bar. This review will focus on 4 new flavors in their line of MEAL bars, and they’re aptly titled that because it’s basically a meal in a bar. The main difference between this meal and the one you might bring in a brown bag or get from a fast food restaurant, is the fact that these bars are made with healthful ingredients that you’ve actually seen in a grocery store before. Their line of MEAL bars is pretty expansive, 12 flavors in all, but this review today is going to focus on their 4 new flavors: Mint Chocolate, Chocolate Coconut, Oatmeal Raisin, and Superberry & Greens. PROBAR states: “Our company’s goal is to change how the world thinks when it comes to real, whole food. PROBAR products are proof that a food maker can wholeheartedly commit to quality, sustainability—and sheer deliciousness. Part of the Simply Real® promise is sourcing the finest all-natural, 100% vegan organic ingredients from growers who believe in these things as well. As you check out our products, they all have one thing in common: they started with only the best raw ingredients”. To learn more about PROBAR, be sure and check out their web-site for more information on their line of products, as well as how you can order their bars directly from their online store. Lastly, don’t forget to visit the PROBAR Facebook page, and as a special for our Food Review 101 readers, if you enter the code “BLOGGER” when purchasing something from their online store, you will receive 40% off your first purchase!

The first bar we wanted to start with was their Oatmeal Raisin bar, which is high in fiber, protein, and omega-3′s and omega-6′s. The bars are decent in size; however, since they’re made with nuts, seeds and dried fruits, the calorie count might scare a few people away. Our judges thought this bar had a very oatmeal-esque quality to it, mainly because it was heavy on raisins, cinnamon and oats. We really enjoyed the texture of the bar, because it was soft and a bit chewy, much like a warm oatmeal cookie would be when it’s coming from the oven. Next, we tried out the somewhat scary looking Superberry & Greens bar, and we would imagine that a few of you might write this bar off as a failed attempt at a healthy snack. We’ll admit that we were pretty surprised after taking our first bite, because the only thing we tasted was the superberries–Acai, Maca, and Goji to name a few. Plus, you get the added benefit of all the healthful greens–barley grass, alfalfa, spirulina, spinach and broccoli among others–that this bar packs, of which you can’t even taste, but still get the benefit of eating. So if you’re looking for a way to mask the flavor of a few scary ingredients but still reap the benefits, we recommend you check out this tasty concoction from PROBAR. The next bar we got our hands on was their Chocolate Coconut bar, which we think could easily be a favorite in their new line of flavors. Our testers weren’t expecting to have such a strong influence of coconut in this bar; however, we definitely weren’t hating the awesome combination of chocolate and coconut. The chocolate chips are scattered quite heavily in this bar, so our chocolate lovers instantly fell in love with this bar the second they took their first bite. Also, when we say this bar has coconut in it, we actually mean REAL coconut, not the fake imitation that tastes like suntan lotion–which we’re sure everyone has unfortunately experience before. Lastly, we made our way to PROBAR’s Mint Chocolate bar, which we were hoping would taste pretty similar to a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie. This bar actually does taste like a Thin Mint cookie, simply because it’s heavy on chocolate and peppermint. It isn’t like biting into a York peppermint patty, which most of our tasters we’re grateful for; however, if you really want to get walloped with peppermint, then we suggest you stick to the unhealthy patty of yore. Overall (4.5 out of 5).

The pros are that they have 12 different flavors to choose from, the flavors all taste fantastic, the texture of the bars is soft and chewy, you can buy them in stores or PROBAR’s online store, they’re made with healthful ingredients, and it’s just an awesome product overall.

The cons are that some people will be nervous about the high calorie and fat count (all of which come from healthful sources like nuts and seeds.

Nutritional Information For 1 PROBAR Mint Chocolate MEAL Bar:

Calories 380
Fat 18g
Sodium 55mg
Carbs 48g
Fiber 6g
Sugar 19g
Protein 9g

PROBAR’s New CORE Protein Bar Arrives

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Team 101

OK, so we’ve talked about and reviewed a few PROBAR products prior to this review, but if you haven’t gotten a chance to take a look at it yet, let us refresh you about who they are and what they make. PROBAR is a nutrition bar company that has been around since 1990, and we always say that if a company has managed to stick around for more than 20 years, they must be doing something right. PROBAR states: “Our company’s goal is to change how the world thinks when it comes to real, whole food. PROBAR products are proof that a food maker can wholeheartedly commit to quality, sustainability—and sheer deliciousness. Part of the Simply Real® promise is sourcing the finest all-natural, 100% vegan organic ingredients from growers who believe in these things as well. As you check out our products, they all have one thing in common: they started with only the best raw ingredients”. This review is going to focus on their brand new line of protein bars which they refer to as CORE, simply because protein should be at the core of everyone’s diet no matter what your goal is. To learn more about PROBAR, be sure and head to their very informative web-site for more information on their line of products, and don’t forget to check out their online store while you’re at it. Lastly, don’t forget to visit the PROBAR Facebook page, and as a special for our Food Review 101 readers, if you enter the code “BLOGGER” when purchasing something from their online store, you will receive 40% off your first purchase!

Talking about their CORE line, PROBAR says: “Looking for a protein bar that resembles nature rather than a science experiment? Good. Because we’ve packed 20 grams of plant protein and plenty of real, recognizable ingredients into this bar. And it does more than build your strength – it boasts chia seeds for hydration and recovery too”. The first protein bar we tried out was their tantalizing combination of Peanut Butter Chocolate, which is gluten-free and loaded with omega 3′s and omega 6′s. First off, this bar tastes exactly like you hoped it would, mainly because the only thing you taste is peanut butter and chocolate. If you’re looking for a healthier way to enjoy that classic Reese’s flavor without having to sacrifice your health, be sure and check out this new protein bar. Texturally, you get the crunch from the soy protein crisps, as well as a bit of chewiness from the thin layer of chocolate and peanut butter that essentially make this bar what it is–awesome. Next, we took a bite out of their Mint Chocolate bar, which we can best describe as a healthier version of a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie. One of the things a few of our testers enjoyed the most was the fact that the mint wasn’t too overpowering; however, it wasn’t all to subtle either. The mint and chocolate combination has worked well in the past, but PROBAR has kept that tradition alive with their take on this classic duo. If you love a cold Thin Mint cookie, we recommend you chill this Mint Chocolate protein bar in the fridge for an hour or two to give you that same experience. Moving on to the a flavor that our chocolate lovers will enjoy, we tried our hand at their Brownie Crisp bar. If you’re looking for a chocolate experience without blowing your calorie bank, we recommend you give this bar a try, as the picture below indicates, this bar is simply chocolate on-top of chocolate. The texture of all the CORE bars are pretty similar, so just expect to find a slight crunch mixed with velvety smoothness with each bar you try. Lastly, we made our way to perhaps one of the sexiest sounding bars of them all, and believe me when I tell you that our panel was excited to try out their Cookie Dough bar. Whether or not you want to admit it, everyone’s eaten raw cookie dough from the beater or a tube before, so PROBAR decided to make a healthier version that you can actually eat and feel good about. Believe it or not, this bar absolutely tastes like cookie dough, mainly because it has a rich buttery flavor that mixes with warm vanilla undertones and chocolate protein crisps that are mixed throughout the bar. Every bar we tried from their line of CORE bars was incredible, but our panel really enjoyed their cookie dough bar the most. We know that everyone has a different idea of what they think is enjoyable, so let us know what you think of PROBAR’s new line of CORE bars the next time try one. Overall (4.5 out of 5).

The pros are that they have 4 awesome flavors to choose from, they’re loaded with protein and healthy fats like omega-3, you can buy them in stores and their online store, the texture is great, and it’s an awesome product overall.

The cons are that they’re a bit high in sodium for some people who need to limit their intake, and the sugar content might scare a few people away, although the source of it comes from tapioca syrup which is low on the GI scale.

Nutritional Information For 1 PROBAR Cookie Dough CORE Bar:

Calories 290
Fat 9g
Sodium 420mg
Carbs 32g
Fiber 4g
Sugar 16g
Protein 20g