Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Cranberry & Pomegranate

Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Cranberry & Pomegranate (6 for $2.99, Publix)
1.1 oz / 32g

Ingredients: whole grain oats, high maltose corn syrup, rice flour, sugar, malt extract, salt, calcium carbonate, almonds, honey, dried cranberries, fructose, canola oil, maltodextrin, dried pomegranate arils, soy lecithin, salt, baking soda, natural flavor.

Calories: 130
Cals from fat: 25
Total Fat: 3g (4%)
Sat Fat: 0g (0%)
Sodium: 70mg (3%)
Total Carb: 24g (8%)
Fiber: 1g (4%)
Sugar: 13g
Protein: 2g (4%)

Pomegranate! Cranberry! These are all the rage these days, overlooked fruits that have special health benefits, cleansing powers, whatevs. That said, variety is the spice of life so I decided to give this bar a try. It has that classic nature valley granola but the fruit tastes sort of fake or perhaps it is the "chewy" binder that gives off a slight artificial taste. Either way it tastes more processed than its relatively short ingredient list might suggest. It is certainly a passable bar but you can do better.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Kashi Dark Chocolate Coconut Fruit & Grain Bars

Kashi Dark Chocolate Coconut Fruit & Grain Bars (6 for $2.99, Publix)
1.1 oz / 32g

Ingredients: hard red wheat, oats, rye, triticale, barley, dates, dark chocolate, chicory root fiber, brown rice syrup, vegetable glycerin, soy protein isolate, coconut, soy grits, expeller pressed canola oil, walnuts, unmodified cornstarch, evaporated cane juice crystals, corn flour, evaporated cane juice syrup, rice starch, honey, natural flavors, soy lecithin, oat fiber, brown rice, buckwheat, sesame seeds, evaporated salt, peanut flour, whey protein isolate, almond flour.

Calories: 120
Cals from fat: 30
Total Fat: 3.5g (5%)
Sat Fat: 1.5g (8%)
Sodium: 50mg (2%)
Total Carb: 21g (7%)
Fiber: 4g (17%)
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 4g (8%)

As an American, I feel I've done my duty by moving from small granola bars to the much larger, more patriotic clif bars. Nothing says "U.S.A.!" like a little overeating. But, as with all things, variety is the spice of life so I have what looks like a TINY little granola bar this morning, the Kashi. Seriously, this thing is small even by Nature Valley standards. It looks like your standard chewy granola bar but with some chocolate icing and coconut garnish. The bar is unremarkable and the icing is a little fake, it is a little too thick to be normal icing but too soft to be a chocolate coating. Sort of like a chocolate jam resting on top of the bar. Still, all in all this is a nice bar - very unoffensive; goes fine with a cup of coffee. No chemical taste to speak of, really though I only had about 4 bites to gauge this because it is a really small bar.