There is an energy bar culture sweeping the country. Whether you're a man or a woman, athletic or sedentary, there is a bar for you. I've tried a handful of these snacks with mostly miserable results. The majority of them are tasteless chewy logs that land in the stomach with a cement-like thud. Unless you're actually climbing a mountain or running a marathon, I can't understand the need for the massive dose of protein and calories that each of these bars contains. I'm always surprised when I see desk-bound executives reaching for one of these bars at the four p.m. snack hour. Hungry between lunch and dinner? Have an apple or some yogurt. Take a deep breath - your next meal is not far off.
While I usually march through the energy bar aisle with a look of disdain (there are at least 15 different brands promising a variety of physical perks upon consumption) there is one bar that I will stop for. Just one. Greens+ Energy Bar, [1] the solid follow-up to the highly popular Greens+ Powder [2], is a tasty, all-natural bar that is metabolized quickly and easily. Greens+ is densely chewy like some of the others, but as its primary ingredients are organic [2] quinoa sprout powder, Hawaiian spirulina, [3] and wheat grass, it is also lighter than any other bar that I've tried.
Greens+ is packed with vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, phytonutrients, enzymes, co-enzymes, cell salts, spirulina, chlorophyll, herbs, botanical extracts, antioxidants, and soluble and insoluble fibers. And unlike the protein-heavy Powerbar [4] and even Cliff Bar [5] (and his sister Luna) [6] Greens+ is more vegetable than anything else and is so recommended not only for tri-athletes, but also for regular folks looking for a mid-day snack. Greens+ is even good for kids.
Like other bars, Greens+ is not a low calorie food. It's called Green+ Energy Bar to give you more zest and uses calories to do so. But the main source of the calories - organic dates and organic almond butter - is also the binding agent that transforms Greens+ powder into an easily transportable Greens+ bar.
Greens+ scores additional points for its encouragement of water drinking. The packaging clearly states: "Chase with 8 oz of pure water." The water aids in the bar's speedy digestion. In addition to the regular green bar, Greens+ is available in a surprisingly delicious chocolate coating [7] (I would never have guessed that green veggies and chocolate could be winningly paired) and a protein version that I've yet to try.
Name of Product: Greens+ Energy Bar
Cost: $2.00 - $3.00 per bar
Where to Buy it: Amazon [8]