Am I the only one?

Who thinks all those bars (Luna, Special K, Slim Fast, etc) are a waste of calories?  There are so many other good, nutritious, whole foods out there that are better for you and more filling. 

The reason I like luna bars is because they are BALANCED and CONVENIENT. Sure, I love to cook but sometimes I don't have time or I simply can't (don't have the facilities or out and about) and so nothing can beat the convenience of having a ready-made, pre-measured, nutrient rich meal/snack in my pocket. I don't have to worry about squishing it or it going bad, either.

I wouldn't be able to manage without convenience foods. Everyone has different priorities and schedules!

Yea I eat protein bars and meal replacements mostly because
I dont always have time to make lunch or eat much because I have work and school, so its good to have something healthy and quick.

I agree with you, minie13.  I hate how tiny these stupid bars are for the caloric content they contain. >:[
But.. to go with what feanor said, I need convenience in my life.  If I'm going somewhere, its not exactly economical or possible to carry fresh fruits and vegetables, cuz they would just rot.  For those emergencies where there's no othe healthy option in sight, a bar is a lot better than a double bacon cheeseurger. :)

yeah I agree. They do taste REALLY good but I'm a quantity vs. quality kind of girl. I want more bang for my buck. They are not very filling.

For the most part I agree-- except luna bars.  I eat one on days that I work out, and that's because otherwise, I won't get enough "good" food in for the day.  On weekedays, I work out and go straight to class, so I eat one there.  Then, I have less eating to do to "make up" for working out, and it's good stuff.  But luna bars are about the only ones I'll have because over 180 calories is just a waste in my mind, you're right.  So I guess for me, it's more of a way to easily get in minerals and nutrients post-workout, and definately not any form of meal replacement.

I agree - I'd love to have the time to make a meal instead but whenever I have them I'm either in the car or in class and have already had my apple and banana for the day.  They fill me up, taste like a treat, and take no time to prepare - thats why I buy them.

I agree Minie....they are so not worth it and most of them have a funny taste.

I like them. They satisfy my craving for something sweet. Rather than eating a chocolate bar, I can have a tiny chewy tasty portion. It helps me so much with cravings and portion control.

Original Post by minie13:

Who thinks all those bars (Luna, Special K, Slim Fast, etc) are a waste of calories? There are so many other good, nutritious, whole foods out there that are better for you and more filling.

 Like everyone else said, its the convenience factor. I eat my power bars and kashi bars at work because I obviously can't cook there and it helps me feel energized, and its better then candy, right?

Totally agree. Luna bars are half decent for the occassional treat but Special K & Slimfast are junk.

I love love love luna bars! :)

I keep some of these at work to help with hunger pains in the mid-morning and early afternoon. They are better than grabbing a candy bar.

I agree the slim fast and special k bars are junky. I like the kashi and nature valley ones. I also keep some of the kellogg's nutri-grain cereal bars around. The have a decent amount of fiber and are only 140 calories. They take the edge off of hunger without sabotaging the diet completely.

Minie, I totally agree!! They are just so small and pointless! I would rather eat something more substantual that would satisfy my hunger than make it worse! =] ..<3

I keep them at work and in the car.  It's so much better when you are on a "road trip" or in the car for a long period of time to grab a nutrition bar of sorts than run through a drive-thru.  On a day-to-day basis, though, I'd rather keep fruits, veggies, and whole grains to snack on. 

I am so with you. It doesn't make sense to me to eat that bar, which doesn't keep me full and has a little too much sugar, for 180 cals. All I can think of is all the better things i could eat for that 180.

I eat them because I am protein defictiant and I lack calories at the end of the day. To me they have set amounts of calories, so I always get to know what's in them, without them I would have no night time snack, and fall back into depriving myself. Not a good cycle!

Monster_cookie....did you know that you could eat like a whole cup of cottage cheese, even with some added fruit for the same amount of cals in a Luna bar. granted it is low fat or fat free cottage cheese. That is like 24 g of protein plus calcium and I just all around believe would be better then eating a Luna bar. Oh and I am not implying for you to eat a whole cup, just saying !

I loooovveee luna bars. Especially the peppermint or chai latte ones. They're my version of candy. Whenever i'm about to crash from low blood sugar I eat one of those. Then, because they're such a treat, it's like a cheat-day. :P

Have you tried Cliff Nectar Cacao Bars? I dont like the taste of other "bars," but these are amazing! They are made of Dates, Walnuts, Cocoa & Vanilla. You could obviously make them yourself, but damn! They're awesome! The whole food answer to Hershey's, for sure!

I also like Think Organic (dates, cashews, coconut, cocoa, almonds) & WEIL Organic (dates, amonds, coconut, walnuts, cocoa, vanilla)

They're great. I always keep one in my messenger bag. My toddler thinks she's eating candy & I'm never in a desperate hungry-place.

I would just rather have a huge wrap on a La Tortilla wrap with lunch meat or refried beans, cheese, & veggies for 200 calories than a tiny little bar full of sugar.  Or a huge salad.  Or fresh fruit.  Or fresh veggies (carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, green peppers, etc).  Or almonds.  Or oatmeal.   Or cream of wheat.  Or applesauce.  Or granola.  Or Peanut butter crackers.  Or plenty of much healthier, filling things.  And most of the things I mentioned are portable and convinient.