Clif and Raw Revolution: Raising the Bar

By Debbie Bateman, GREENandSAVE.com
Posted on Sunday 22nd March 2009

In the world of packaged bars, we have a lot from which to choose. Nowadays there are bars for everything to meet the demands of our faster-paced consumer-oriented culture. No time for a bowl of cereal? Have a milk and cereal bar. Need fiber, but don’t like vegetables? Fiber bars are the newest craze. Want to max out your protein needs for the week in 5 minutes? There’s a solution for you.

The wide array of bars comes with a wide range of nutritional content. Do not be deceived by puffed up labels reading “made with whole grains” or “real fruit.” Chances are many of these claims are marketing ploys to fool buyers into thinking that they are purchasing a healthy product. Some of these bars are a far cry from the point-of-purchase colorful candy bars that tempt us to taint our grocery order one last time. Even the word organic has developed a healthy connotation when many organic foods carry little to no nutritional value at all.

It is important when choosing an energy bar to make sure that your bar will do more for your body than just donate energy (calories). We can scarf down 200 calories of energy but if it’s sourced from bleached flour and high fructose corn syrup, then our blood sugar spikes and plummets and we’re hungry an hour later. Nutrient dense calories are what are necessary in order to meet the body’s cravings. This means getting the most nutrients to the least number of calories per serving.

Look for bars made with mostly natural ingredients that go through the least amount of processing. Bars with protein, fiber, and a little bit of fat are best for keeping your hunger pangs at bay. Listed below are our top picks for the best nutrition bars out there, and naturally, they have environmental advantages as well.

The first line of products comes from the company Raw Revolution who say “No Way” to processing, and here’s why: Foods have a higher nutrient density prior to cooking and processing. Protein isolates and grain based fillers, which are highly manufactured, are extremely acidic. Acidic foods can be troublesome on your system while the highly processed compounds are broken into simpler substances by numerous chemical reactions that release carbon dioxide. Sounds pleasant.

There is also suspicion that the body responds to acidic foods by preserving fat cells in order to maintain a barrier between the acid and the internal organs. Just what our obese nation needs! Equally important is the fact that unprocessed foods are close to their natural form so there are no harmful effects on the environment or our bodies.

Raw Revolutions bars are Certified Organic, vegan, and free of wheat, cholesterol, trans fats, and refined sugars. They have a variety of bars, but our team’s favorite was the tropical mango. The women on Saint Joseph’s University Crew team sampled the bars and were nuts over the Chocolate and Cashew flavor. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough was also a big hit.

Check out Raw Revolution’s selection of all natural live food bars. They also come in 100 calorie versions so you can enjoy it while minding your waistline. Raw Revolution partners with global organizations and sponsors events to heighten global awareness, so add to their pot of green and pick up your products now!

Our other top pick is Clif. Clif manufactures a variety of energy bars and products for men, women, and kids with minimal effects on the environment and maximum effects on your taste buds. Clif Mojo, Z bars, Nectar, Luna, we love ‘em all. Clif bars are made with mostly organic ingredients in accordance with the company’s efforts to move towards environmental sustainability.

As Clif seeks to reduce waste and restore resources, they are also taking proactive steps towards bettering the planet through the partnerships in which they engage including Leave No Trace, Organic Farming Research Foundation, Breast Cancer Fund, and 1% For the Planet.

So now that you know that Clif is all green and no sheen, we’ll let you in on our favorite bites. The Clif Shot Blocks taste just like fruit snacks and send you soaring with energy, and the Chocolate Brownie Z Bar is a great treat for kids. As for the women, forget that Raspberry Chocolate Layer Cake you’ve been dreaming about. Luna makes a Chocolate Raspberry bar with only 190 calories so good you’ll go loony for it.

Kick those high processed foods to the curb. It’s time to add flavor to your life with a little green cuisine. Stock up on our recommendations for great-tasting, all-natural, healthy, handy nutrition bars so you always have a nutritious snack within arms reach. While this could mean breaking off your relationship with the drive-thru cashier, rest assured your body will thank you for it. Bon appétit!

GREENandSAVE.com is a free resource for anyone that wants to save energy, money, and the environment. The articles, product reviews, online tools, and return on investment calculations are researched from a diverse range of public and private sector sources. Overall, the company is passionate about saving money as well as creating healthy homes, offices, and lifestyles.

For more information, check out GREENandSAVE.com’s take on a Green and Healthy Lifestyle. Or, for a better idea of what projects will be cost-efficient in the long run, take a look at their Return on Investment Table for Green Home Remodeling Projects.

test image for this block