Larabar

Are they really actually that healthy?
I know its all natural sugars - but thats A LOT of sugar packed into a couple tiny bites. Minimal protein. It is good healthy fats for the most part too I suppose....

But wouldnt you be better off eating something else for 200 cals (ie. cereal w/ banana) instead of this denseee bar?

If so, what's all the rave about it?? A lot of people seem to recommend this all natural bar...

  

How do you fit them into your calorie intake?? When do you eat them?

At 200 cals per bar, its like a meal replacement almost (ie. comparable to slimfast shakes, etc)
I'd use them for breakfast.... but they don't seem quite "complete" for breakfast.

I like Larabars because they are about the most "natural" bar you can get.  For instance,  the Cashew Cookie flavor contains 2 ingredients: Cashews and Dates--that's it!  I try to eat mostly whole, unprocessed food.  If I'm going to eat sugar, I want it to be from whole, unprocessed food (e.g., fruits and veggies) rather than something like a Fiber One Bar. 

As far as fitting them into my caloric intake--I think they're great for a pre-workout snack; I often eat one before going on a long run.  They're also good to have on hand when you don't have access to "good" food (e.g., when your only other option is vending machine food).  I don't think they make a great meal substitute, but they're good for when you're on the go and the only other option is Dunkin' Donuts or the like.

 

they really arnt bars that should be eaten alone, and should get combined with more fat and protien.

they are most likly designed as post recovery bars, like after a bike ride. Since dates are very high in sugar.

all i know is, these are a ton better than luna bars, which is simply a soy massacre with sugar on it. They are high in potassium and have no sodium, they are all raw and contain enyzmes, they arnt bad for ya.

I had my first one ever today.... the pistachio one. Amazingly with 20g of sugar in that tiny bar, it wasn't excessively sweet (although i can tolerate a lot of sweetness)

It was very good and I liked it a lot. Kept me kinda content for around 2 hours. But I still find it ridiculous for 200 cals - they are so tiny. That is so dense.

Croweej - I agree that they are the most natural, simplest bars that you can get.
But for example looking at the 35FiberDiet bars, the ingredients are quite natural as well (mainly dates too if I recall) - but it also contains a lot more fiber and protein, which seems more balanced..... than mainly sugar.

I guess if I'm at home, and in craving for some sugar/snacks,
between eating a lot fresh fruits (200 cals worth) or a Larabar, I should stick with the fresh fruits??

Original Post by c_jamie:

I guess if I'm at home, and in craving for some sugar/snacks,
between eating a lot fresh fruits (200 cals worth) or a Larabar, I should stick with the fresh fruits??

Definitely.  And throw in some nuts, since that's where a lot of the cals and good fats from a Larabar come from. =]

Original Post by c_jamie:
Croweej - I agree that they are the most natural, simplest bars that you can get.
But for example looking at the 35FiberDiet bars, the ingredients are quite natural as well (mainly dates too if I recall) - but it also contains a lot more fiber and protein, which seems more balanced..... than mainly sugar.

I guess if I'm at home, and in craving for some sugar/snacks,
between eating a lot fresh fruits (200 cals worth) or a Larabar, I should stick with the fresh fruits??

I've never tried the 35FiberDiet bars--I'll have to check them out! 

But yea, if you're at home, go for fruit instead of a Larabar.  My favorite snack is either an apple or banana with a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter.  Also try fruit mixed with greek yogurt--that's my favorite! 

I tend to keep a couple bars in the cupboard for emergencies....but I would never eat them on a regular basis. If you don't have time to eat anything and have to run out the door, these are okay to grab...but they really are not balanced nutrition. They're probably okay every once in a while....but you could make something that was more balanced (and less expensive) yourself.

Sugar is sugar is sugar...whether or not it is "natural" sugar and too much of it is NOT GOOD. :-)

In any case...good luck with your journey!

Lara Bars have basically no downsides. They have the least ingredients of ANY bar you will find out there today. They're minimally processed (if at all) and are organic. They're made with only FRUITS and NUTS. And best of all - they're raw and vegan!

I love the flavors of them too, although it's just as easy to make them at home. The Cashew Cookie one is simple - just process a 1/3 cup of chopped dates and 1/2 cup of cashews and then form them into two bars. Easy, wholesome, and delicious.

I ADORE larabars! I'm a mostly raw vegan with celiac's disease who teaches yoga. They're fantastic for throwing in my bag and munching on the subway after a class! I don't eat them while at home because I feel it's a waste of the convenience snack.

Thanks for your replies! Sometimes I do wish they were more nutritionally balanced, but I guess "natural" is their main thing here.

I'm still finding it hard to fit it into my calorie intake.... and all those sugars!

skinnyogi - yep, i agree it'd be a waste of a convenience snack too! just eat a banana + nuts instead!