About a month ago I solicited some samples of a fruit and veggie bar called “Rebar” to replace where I would normally eat a Larabar (*). The company wasn’t able to provide samples because they don’t make sample sized bars but the owner offered me a reduced cost on a mixed box of full sized bars to try in exchange that I would tell you all what I thought about them!
The selection was 4 different Rebars, 4 different ElevateMe bars and 4 different gluten free quinoa based protein bars. My honest overall opinion of the products? I loved them all! I had my favourites but they were all delicious! High quality, basic ingredients (no long chemical names) formed into delicious tasting, convenient bars. I will be ordering another mixed box, the only reason I haven’t yet is because I can’t decide what the mix should be!
REBAR
My favourite was Seeds N Greens, mostly because I preferred the texture of that one over the others (the others were more of a….toffee texture and the Seeds N Greens was a bit more granola-bar-like. As mentioned, the ingredients are all recognizable!
All Natural Dried Ingredients: 75.5% USDA Certified Organic*, MK Kosher Certified: Honey, Chicory Extract, Dry roasted soy nuts, *Sesame Seeds, *Sunflower Seeds, *Pumpkin Seeds, *Apples, *Carrots, *Spinach, *Alfalfa, *Cabbage, *Broccoli, *Kale, *Celery, *Rosehips, *Parsley, *Cauliflower, *Cucumber, *Beets, *Bell Peppers, *Collards, *Watercress, *Bokchoy, *Tomatoes, Fig paste, Lignamax (milled flax seed concentrate), *Hemp seed, Green Tea Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Plum/Pomegranate natural flavours.
I loved the Rebars all at a specific time and that was right after work but before having to go and walk my dog. I don’t snack much and never really feel like I need to but when I’m on dog-walking duty after work, I’m hard pressed to get a good 4.5km in without a little snack. The rebar is all ingredients that I would recognize and nothing junky or sugary so that I feel like I’m ruining my dinner.
ELEVATEME
These are the ones that I was most excited to try! They’re a fruit and nut bar so packed with all that goodness but then with the added bang of whey protein isolate!
Ingredients: whey protein isolate, dates, organic raisins, almonds, apples, cranberries (cranberries, sugar), organic coconut, organic fair trade cocoa.
I drink a whey protein isolate powder after every gym workout so although I wouldn’t consider it a natural product, it does have firm spot in my life. For that reason I was excited to try a whole-foods bar that had it already added in! The first one I tried (and the best one in my opinion) was the Cocoa Coconut Cluster. I tried it after my mile-row-mile a couple of Saturdays ago. I loved it and it got me from the gym, home and into the shower and through my getting ready and making my breakfast. Since I exercise mostly on an empty stomach, anything that can get me to the meal following a workout is good in my books! I did find that these are definitely a bit more dense than I was expecting so would definitely recommend drinking lots of water with it. I was also completely exhausted after my workout and even the effort of chewing was asking a lot! LOL! I tried the other ones as time went on and I definitely would buy these again, they are a great quick meal (or large snack) that actually has nutritional benefits!
SUPERBAR
I’ll be honest and say I was a bit hesitant to try these as I do not consume grains. Quinoa and rice are both grains and in general I do not do well with rice….digestively speaking. However, in the interest of being open minded and having agreed to test and review, I tried these.
Bar Ingredients: Raw whole grain organic quinoa, raw whole grain brown rice powder, raw whole grain millet powder, crispy rice, date paste, cranberries, unsulphured raisins, unsweetened coconut, unpasteurized honey, pure vanilla extract, black-strap molasses, grape seed oil, sea salt, kelp powder.
As you can see, the ingredient list is completely whole and recognizable and save for my personal preference of avoiding rice and quinoa, these are fantastic! The chocolate peanut butter one was like eating fudge, it was SO GOOD! My stomach doesn’t prefer rice though and that result was noticeable to me. I have tested quinoa before and have been fine with it (besides my personal preference to avoid it) so I have to chalk it up to the rice ingredients. Honestly though, the texture and taste was so off the charts good that I would probably include one or two of them in my mixed box as a delicious treat!
If you are choosey about what you put in your body but you also want taste and convenience to go along with nutrition, these products are something you may like to consider! Plus, dealing with Kerry at Gr8 Foods was a pleasure and he’s reasonably local to me which feels great to support local small business!
You can go online to http://www.therebarstore.com/index.htm to check them out and view all their products and flavours! Kerry is also available by phone at 877 468 2875.
(*) I’ve chosen to avoid Larabar going forward due to some questionable practices on the part of General Mills which now owns the Larabar name. Go here for further info: http://www.naturalnews.com/036834_kashi_larabar_boycott.html
Fitty vs Fatty 
Hadn’t heard that about Larabars. Thanks for the tip.
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Well done on the reviews!