I've had a recipe request for a low fat nutrition bar and was wondering if anyone has one they'd care to share.

Also, since we're on the subject...what are your favorite nutrition bars and why?

How often do you eat them and why?

I just got back from skiing 4 days.

I KNOW the ONLY reason I buy energy bars is as a sub for candy bars. It isn't an accident that I only buy the choc flavored kinds...

Energy bars are no more conveient than "real" food. I took real food with me... bananas and Irish bread with walnuts... Just as easy to eat on the run and tastes WAY better.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GoingSkiing,

I finally made the "Lulu's Healthy Cookies" recipe (with a few alterations) I posted in the recipes folder aaaaages ago. When they were completed, I thought they were more like a nutrition bar than a cookie. I'm posting it here, with my changes in place.

Notes:

The original instructions I had neglected to tell me when to put the oil in. So I just forgot it. Thus, the bars were a bit dry and they didn't brown. However, if you want to cut the fat, you can safely leave it out altogether. In my instructions, I'm guessing at what point you add it.

Also, it didn't say when to add the seeds. So I ended up adding them near the end. It would probably be best if they were mixed in while the ingredients were still dry.

I couldn't find soy protein, so I didn't use it.

The original recipe calls for raisins. I used a combo of raisins and cranberries. I'm guessing dried fruit would probably work too.

I made two batches, one as patties, and one as bars. I think the bars came out better.

Enjoy!

Homemade Energy Bars / Treats

1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/2 c pepitas
1/2 c sesame seeds
2 tb flax seeds
4 c whole wheat flour
2 c rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 scoop soy protein powder (optional)
1 c any combination of raisins, currants, dried craberries or diced dried fruit
1 c canola oil
1 c honey
1 c chocolate chips

Toast seeds in 350 oven
Mix flour, oats, baking powder, salt, seeds and soy protein
Soak dried berries in 1c water
Add honey, oil, and water from berries to dry ingredients and mix with rubber spatula
Add fruit and chocolate chips
Press into cookie sheet or casserole dish (fills 2)
Bake at 350 until golden brown (about 15-20 min)
Let cool, and cut into squares
Do not overbake. If you aren't sure if they're done, take them out anyway!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: grrlscout,

The only time I ate one was two years ago when I had gone to NM. My plane was leaving so early the hotel restaurant wouldn't be open. I had no wheels, so I asked someone who did to bring something back I could eat for breakfast. She brought back two or three of some kind of sports bar. It wasn't what I wanted, but it was all that I had.

It took me months before I ate the remaining bars and that was more a "don't let it go to waste" situation.

Not sure if this is really a "power bar" type of thing, but the new Kellogg's All Bran bars are my top pick. They are reasonably low in calories and fat, have a lower sugar content than most, and have the added benefit of fiber.

I like the Kashi Go Lean Crunchy bars, Balance Go Mix, some of the Luna bars(Dulce de Leche is my fave), and Peanut Butter Balance bars. I usually have 1 a week as a treat.

I use the Slim Fast bars, both the lunch ones and the snack ones. They are pretty tasty and filled with healthy ingred. that aren't going to throw things off track. I don't use them as a complete meal, but a substitute that will travel better than some things that I could pack. I also use the snack bars when I need to have a sweet treat. When I do use them, I will count them as four or three points on my menu plan. So they are a planned snack or part of a lunch. How often, I think this week I have three planned for a lunch or snack....depends on the week. But I work not to use them more than four times in one week. I am using the new Optima bars which are much more diabetic friendly than any of the ones I've looked at in other lines, and much better than the ones that I have recipes for.

Cathy J

I like the Clif bars after a workout or as a morning snack. But they are pricey. Would love to figure out how to make something similar.

I think smoothies are great post-workout, though not quite as portable. I like ones that use frozen fruit: strawberries, bananas, etc. That way they are nice and thick and frosty like a milkshake but the flavor is more intense than if you used ice. I have been adding whey protein to them lately as getting in enough protein has been a concern for me sometimes.

I recommend Pria by Powerbar.

I use them before a gym workout (as I go during the lunchtime hour, and breakfast was a long time ago) or if the fruit I brought is bad or I forgot to bring some.

They are 110 calories a bar with 30 calories coming from fat (2g Sat 0 trans fat)

and have 5g of Protein

I find that it sticks with me longer than a piece of fruit would. I do find it a little sweet, but not nasty tasting. I've tried others and know what they mean when they say nasty tasting.

My nutritionist put me on to them. Specifically for the amount of protein and the fact that they are not as caloric as other energy bars.

-mags

The few I tried, I got as samples in the mail from major manufactures and they all tasted like cardboard..YUCK!!! After that experience, I can't bring myself to try any others.

I also recently tried the Carb (sugarfree) nestle cruch bar..That was not very tasty at all, after two bite I threw it out.

The only thing I did like was the Balance Gomix Energy Snack Mix, the bars were not to my liking.

Well that's my two cents..lol
Heather

I like the bars for a substitute breakfast when I am running late - which is a lot of the time. I"m like D - I figure it's better than skipping breakfast all together. I also like to eat a 1/2 bar if I am going to the gym in the morning - I don't like to eat a full breakfast before. My favorites are Luna and Zone Perfect. I only like a few of the flavors of each.

Mel

I have only tried 2 or 3 varieties of nutrition bars and have not been impressed enough to continue buying them. I bought a box of Kashi Go Lean peanut butter-chocolate bars in late 2003 that I used for when I was travelling or occasionally as a post-gym snack if I wasn't going to be able to eat soon afterwards, but never ate them regularly.

Several months ago, I finally picked up a Luna bar after seeing them mentioned numerous times on this board. One flavor was okay the first time I tried it and nasty the next, so I never bought any more.

I just haven't found any of them that I like enough to keep eating. Some seem like they're trying to be a candy bar substitute but not they're not nearly good enough tasting to substitute for a candy bar in the opinion of this chocolaholic's tastebuds! LOL

Finally, as others have said, they are often loaded with sugar and I just feel like I'm better off not making them a regular part of my eating plan.

I don't eat them. I find that the ingredients are not so great and the sugar is not something I want. The calories are also high- too high for me.

I do make "chocolate balls" for dd. She loves them for a snack or breakfast. I never measure the ingredients- just eyeball. Here is my guess for the recipe. The are pretty healthy and dd thinks of them as a great chocolate snack.


Melt 1 c natural peanut butter in heavy pot
add 1/2 c best cocoa powder
add 1 c powdered sugar
add 3 cups skim milk
Stir to make smooth

Add as much toasted old fashioned oats as the mixtue will take in--- ususally about 4-5 cups.

Cools and form into balls or flaten on Silpat and cut later.
They freeze well

I admit to eating the occasional nutrition bar when I'm craving a candy bar. I know the nutrition content is only slightly better, but it does tend to be more filling so I'm not hungry again so soon. My faves are Clif bars and Luna bars.

That said, I would love to make my own! Can't wait to see what you come up with, KD.

I don't eat them either. They don't fill me up enough and I tend to be looking for something else to eat within the hour. For me, they don't take long enough to eat and so I don't feel full and that's where I get into trouble.

We do occasionally eat the organic Healthy Valley granola bar though. I through them in my purse for snack for my dd. We've also done the Envirokids natural crispy bars.

I love Clif bars but they're kind of high in calories. They are the only ones that taste like real food to me. All the flavors are good but they're kind of expensive.

My vote goes to Luna bars. They're somewhat lower calorie than other bars, have good flavor, and contain a decent amount of soy protein and folic acid.

I keep some on hand for days when I have to eat breakfast in the car, when I fly, or as a stand-in for one my 5 small meals -- usually the "near the end of the work day / before the gym" one.

Yes, I posted a nutrition bar recipe -- Kashi Blackberry Bars. It's on the 6th page in the recipes folder:

http://kathleendaelemans.com/eve/forums?q=Y&a=tpc&s=8931023&f=953103481&m=262104481&p=6

The original recipe and nutritional facts can be found on the Kashi website:

http://www.kashi.com/viewrecipe.aspx?Id=63&Category_ID=29&query=&mid=-1&pid=-1

Here are some more recipes from the site:

PB&J Granola Bars
http://www.kashi.com/viewrecipe.aspx?Id=64&Category_ID=29&query=&mid=-1&pid=-1

Cranberry Walnut Squares
http://www.kashi.com/viewrecipe.aspx?Id=72&Category_ID=29&query=&mid=-1&pid=-1

Apple Raisin Squares
http://www.kashi.com/viewrecipe.aspx?Id=32&Category_ID=29&query=&mid=-1&pid=-1

I buy them sometimes when I go skiing (23 days a year). I got stuck on a chair lift once for 4 hours and wished that I had something to eat... but potty issues were of a bigger concern. I had thought, "I'll take one more run and then go in and go to the bathroom..." What a mistake!

I eat about 1/2 of a power bar kind of thing a day... because they are (possibly) slightly healthier than candy bars. And they are easy to carry in a pocket. And I don't like them as much as GORP. GORP is probably healthier and tastier but I also don't have as much self control and even skiing all day won't burn off 3,000 calories worth of GORP.

I've tried different brands and I'm not absolutely wild about any of them.

Actually, I've taken KD's banana bread or homemade Irish bread skiing... and I like that better for a snack although a piece of banana bread doesn't hold up too well in a pocket, especially if it is fallen upon - unless it is REALLY cold . Banana bread also requires more organization on my part... the week before going.

I only eat them when I need protein in a hurry or have an intense amount of exercise ahead of me. I'll eat them on a break while biking (they fit in the fanny pack I carry) because I inevitably get to starving levels after about 10 miles.

I'll also eat them now and then if I need a solid (meaning lasting longer than 1 hr.) breakfast solution and don't have time to make one. I figure they're slightly better than McDonalds or other fast food breakfast, and they're usually about a buck at the gas station convenience stores.

Other than those times, I don't buy them as a habit. I'd rather have more volumes of food that fits what I'm in the mood for.

I tend to eat the peanut butter flavored bars, and don't usually have a choice of brand at the gas station stores. I think I've eaten Luna, Kashi, and Power Bar brands. (I just buy them, I've never kept track of the brand.)
Laura

I like the Luna bars. . .mostly because the calcium % is higher than most of the others available; also, the flavors aren't so "USE ME AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CANDY BARS!" flavored.

I'll admit to liking them in spurts for breakfast; eating in the morning is not one of my favorite things, and if I can get fiber, calcium, and a palatable flavor out of a bar, I figure that's better than skipping breakfast.

When we travel (in the car), I tend to buy those at the gas stations instead of chips or candy bars (I know in a perfect world, I wouldn't buy anything, but, eh, I'm not perfect).

I also keep a stash of full-blown nutrition bars (PowerBar) in our hurricane kit.

I seem to remember grrlscout having some sort of whole-grain bar recipe, but I might be imagining that.

D