Like most people, I spin several plates at once, work, study, family etc and I want quality healthy snack foods that energise me. So in a bid to find delicious, nutritious energy bars that enhance my thinking, keep me alert and satiate my appetite, I've been eating my way through various types of bars and balls and here's what I found.
Mule Bars are the official energy bar for the Tour of Britain in aid of prostate cancer, and have been devised with serious sports, cyclists and high altitudes in mind. They have a fruity, solid yet moist texture and are made using natural oats, whey protein, seeds and fruits to give the extra oomph needed when flagging. The Strudel (apple & Cinnamon) was delicious and I did have extra energy to complete the task at hand after eating. I felt the surge but not the fall. Wheat free.
BioPorek's Energy Balls are like rocket fuel. Sold in a pack of three, I usually find one is sufficient. I tried replacing coffee with energy balls to see if I could get through the morning, and it worked. Each time they gave me an uplift, which I suspect may be due to the raw and organic nature of the balls. The fruit is sun-dried and so contains more concentrated quantities of good stuff. They do a good selection of vegan balls and most are wheat free. Healthy snacks a their best!
Most of us will have encountered Eat Natural bars, the almonds, apricot with yoghurt variety being rather tasty and widely available. But if you're nut allergic then try the new cranberries, apricots and yoghurt coated bar. Eat Natural bars were great for snacking but they do contain glucose, yoghurt coating and infused fruit so double check the ingredients if it's unprocessed foods you're after.
Seed Stacked flapjacks were devised by a wrestler, 'Chris Lightning', until he developed Crohn's disease and created the bars to improve his health. Seeds are the main protein component - sunflower, linseed, pumpkin, sesame - together with oats and honey for energy. Chris said "seeds are packed with magnesium so our bodies access energy quickly and efficiently, and are perfect for muscle recovery after training due to the Omega oils". The carob topped bar goes some way to satisfying the chocolate fix too! My advice - eat the bars slowly, take time to chew the seeds. If you're not careful they will slip down your throat and pass right through you, taking all their goodness with them.
On a par with Seed Stacked for being the most filling energy bars are TREK. Sister to the Nakd bars which are also delicious, particularly the Cocoa Loco flavour, TREK are mighty big and mighty filling. Designed for peak performance, they worked just as well in getting me through a demanding day. I experimented and ate several over 24 hours, checking for any laxative side effects often associated with energy products, and found none. They're just vegan, raw fruit and nuts - pure protein and ideal for sport related healthy snacking.