by Morgan Medeiros

Created on: January 17, 2009   Last Updated: January 28, 2009

Americans have begun to make the swing to the health-conscious side of the pendulum, and as many hit the gym, they consider energy bars as easy snacks pre and post workout. Although the bars are convenient for portability, many people choose the wrong types of bars for their specific needs, or choose bars with as much sugar as a bucket of Halloween candy.

Larabars are a purely natural alternative, and differ from other energy bars, in that they are made entirely with fruit and nuts, and lack the grains usually featured in bars. Each bar contains six ingredients or fewer, the company declaring its solution to "100% Whole Food". The bars are surprisingly appetizing, with a chewy consistency and a very pure fruit and nut flavor. Flavors include Apple Pie and Coconut Cream Pie, and contain 5 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, and around 200 calories.

Weight training has become a preferred form of exercise for men, with the body-building trend erupting at many gyms. These weight-lifters often rely on protein, but would receive more fiber if they were to eat a bar like PowerBar Protein Plus. PowerBar has a few other lines of products, including various bars, gels, and beverages. However, the Protein Plus bars are specifically made for muscle recovery post workout, with ingredients like whey and soy. The bars contain 300 calories and 23 grams of protein.

Kashi is an all-natural brand that has continued to rise in popularity for their delicious, preservative-free products, which range in everything from breakfast cereals to frozen pizzas. The three types of Kashi energy bars are the GoLean Chewy bars, GoLean Roll bars, and GoLean Crunchy bars. The roll bars are around 190 calories, and the chewy bars are the heftiest calorically, surpassing the roll bars by 100 calories. The best tasting option of the three is the GoLean Crunchy line of products, made with Kashi's crispy whole grain cereal. The bars have a respectable eight grams of protein, and five grams of fiber at 170 calories, with a thin layer of chocolate coating the underside of the bars.

Clif bars are a popular brand amongst men and women alike, and Clif has expanded their line greatly in recent years. Along with the standard Clif bar, the company now produces Luna Bars, Clif Mojo, Clif Nectar, Clif Kid Organic Z-Bars, and Clif Builders. The six options are equally healthful, but each is suited towards a specific type of consumer. The standard Clif bar touts 70% organic ingredients and 23 vitamins and minerals, as well as whole grain oats. The flavors range from Apricot to Chocolate Brownie, and contain around 250 calories and 10 grams of protein.

Luna bars are perhaps the most popular bars amongst women, because they are formulated specifically for a woman's dietary needs. The bars contain vitamins and minerals that many women lack, like bone-building calcium, as well as folate and iron, which are necessary for reproductive health and energy. The bars have a chewy consistency, and consistently deliver highly in taste. The bars are made with 70% organic products, and Most flavors, like Berry Almond and Cookies n' Cream Delight are 180 calories. A few of the more decadent chocolate flavors are 190 calories, still an acceptable amount to consume in a bar.

As long as the bar is the right type of energy bar for the consumer, bars make great additions in light of busy routines, which may not lend time for preparing non pre-packaged foods.

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