paleo protein bars Archives

Epic Protein Bar Review

What is It?

As I discover new healthy protein bars that come on the market, I notice that we are moving away from the traditional granola-style bars. The Epic Bar is definitely not a granola bar.

In fact, it’s more like a meat bar. Think of it more like a beef jerky snack than a chocolate covered protein bar. Some people will dig this, others not so much.

What’s Actually in an Epic Protein Bar?

You can get this “meat bar” in Turkey (with almonds and cranberry), Beef (with habanero and cherry) or Bison (with bacon and cranberry), and everybody’s grass fed. This also means that (besides being all natural), the meat usually has up to 5 times as much omega 3 fatty acids as non-grass fed meat.

There is also no gluten, soy or dairy, but there are almonds in the Turkey Epic Bar and walnuts in the Beef Epic Bar if you are allergic to nuts.

How Do Epic Bars Taste?

As I mentioned above, and you’ve probably figured out, this is more like beef jerky than a candy-flavored granola bar. That said, most people agree that it is not as salty as traditional beef jerky and that there is a little more sweetness to it (due to the cranberries or cherries in the bar – depending on the flavor you choose).

You’ve got to be in the mood for a dry snack. Therefore, if you re-fuel after a tough workout, make sure you have some water nearby.

How Much Do Epic Bars Cost?

Compared to other protein bars, they are not cheap. They cost about $3.33 per bar in a box of 12 bars. On the other hand, you can compare them to a turkey sandwich or a grass-fed hamburger. Hence, they save you money, and you don’t have to eat the bread.

Who are Epic Protein Bars For?

Meat eaters, people who prefer a snack that is not as sweet as regular protein bars and people who like to chew. Seriously, you chew on this bar more than other snack bars. One person even mentioned that it helps you eat more slowly – which is know to be good for digestion.

Do you travel a lot or frequently eat on-the-go? Traditional protein bars can get monotonous because they contain similar ingredients with a homogenous texture. On the other hand, Epic protein bars can keep your snacks from getting boring, while staying easy, convenient, healthy and filling.

I give the Epic Protein Bar a thumbs up because it is simple, different and I really like the chewing aspect. Plus, I need practice eating more slowly and enjoying my food. 😉

Watch the interview with the founder of the EPIC, Taylor Collins. If you haven’t tried an Epic Bar yet, this will make you want to try one. It also gives you an inside view as to where the company plans to go with future products and very inspiring projects…

Click here for more information

About the Author: Cara Rennie is a paleo cooking chef, writer and advocate for healthy living. With over a decade of experience in the culinary industry, Cara has established herself as an expert in the paleo lifestyle, emphasizing the use of natural ingredients that promote a balanced and sustainable lifestyle. She firmly believes in the power of food to transform people's lives, while helping others discover the joys of paleo eating. Facebook | Pinterest

3 Paleo-Friendly Snacks for Diabetics

Here are 3 diabetic snack bars that will satisfy any sweet tooth – yet contain all-natural ingredients with low carbs, high fiber, high protein. Plus, as you might expect, they are gluten free as well.

Satisfied?

They are very satisfying because they are rich and dense due to their high fiber content (12-17 grams in each bar!) and good amount of fat. They are crunchy and chewy at the same time, so they satisfy that craving as well (You know – when you just want something to crunch in mid-afternoon?).

Note: However, don’t let the product name an labeling deceive you. Even if you are not diabetic, this is a great healthy snack if you want to stay regular or are looking for an easy (and tasty) way to incorporate more fiber into your diet.

The New Scrambled Egg Breakfast?

I like these bars as a healthy breakfast alternative that won’t spike blood sugar, yet provide as much protein as would those 2 scrambled eggs. If you are like many people, it can be challenging to fit in a home-cooked healthy breakfast, especially if you exercise in the morning and commute to work. These “diabetic” snacks are easy to carry with you, not to mention they require not time to cook. =)

Prebiotics & Fiber

Another cool thing about these protein bars is that they all contain Chicory Root. This ingredient contains inulin, a carbohydrate fiber, which is what makes the fiber content so high in these bars. It also provides a smooth and creamy texture to foods so there’s a better mouthfeel.

On top of that, inulin is a prebiotic which is healthy for our digestive systems. Some people even buy inulin as a supplement due to it’s health-enhancing properties – but we don’t have to since we get it in these paleo snacks for diabetics (and everyone else).

Problem? What Problem?

The one potential problem that Dr Weil sees is that people are more likely to over-eat inulin containing foods because they don’t taste like they are fiber rich. This can lead to gas, bloating or flatulence. So don’t feed your friends too many if you want them to keep being your friend…

Calcium Bonus…

Diabetic Kitchen bars also contain a good amount of calcium (8-15%). That’s nothing to shake a stick at. Combine it with that morning latte and you can be getting almost 50% of your daily recommended calcium! Tip: Choose the Peanut Butter Surprise flavor to get the most calcium.

No Extra Sugar Calories

Stevia is the all-natural sweetener used, so we don’t need to worry about the sugar spikes or extra calories from other natural sweeteners like dates, honey or agave nectar. Honestly, I’m a little surprised that more paleo protein bars don’t use stevia. I’d personally rather my calories go to protein or fat than to sugar-laden natural foods, if you know what I mean.

Ingredients:

Peanut Butter Surprise:

Chicory Root Fiber, Whey Protein Isolate, Organic Peanut Butter, Organic Peanuts, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Apples, Ground Flaxseed, Organic Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt, Stevia, Cinnamon

Vanilla Almond Bliss:

Chicory Root Fiber, Whey Protein Isolate, Organic Almond Butter, Almonds, Ground Flaxseed, Organic Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt, Stevia

Chocolate Cashew Crunch:

Chicory Root Fiber, Whey Protein Isolate, Organic Cashews, Organic Cashew Butter, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Cocoa, Organic Vanilla Extract, Ground Flaxseed, Sea Salt, Stevia

Cricket Protein Bars – Are They Worth Trying?

You may have never considered eating crickets before as a meal or snack, but now we are hearing more that these insects have a variety of nutritional benefits that we may not want to leave lying on the table.

1. Crickets are extremely nutritionally dense for their size

Ounce for ounce, crickets provide twice as much protein as beef, 5 times as much magnesium and contains all 9 essential amino acids according to Men’s Health.

2. They are better for the environment

In addition, cricket farming is environmentally responsible. Less water and space is needed to farm these insects, and less greenhouse gases are produced in the process.

3. Get more of what you want, and less of what you don’t want

Plus, consider this. Cricket flour includes the whole cricket. Not only do you get protein from muscle, but more vitamins and minerals from the animal’s organs, bones and more. There’s no waste here. Plus, you don’t have to worry about ingesting hormones or antibiotics fed to the animal, because there were none.

Have you tried foods made with crickets?

Where Can You Try Cricket Protein Bars?

Try a small variety pack of Exo Bars for $10. This is the cricket protein bar that was taste-tested by Tim Ferris and Kevin Rose on the Random Show (see minute 31 of the video).

Find out what flavor you like best, or if you like them at all. Better yet, share them with a friend and split the cost.

So, How Do Cricket Protein Bars Taste?

They have the consistency of many other paleo protein bars that are made with ingredients like nuts, seeds and date paste. They feel soft, chewy and crunchy at the same time.

Honestly, you will probably not know the difference between cricket flour and other protein flours like whey, egg, soy or pea.

Keep in mind that cricket protein bars are not just a bunch of crickets shoved into a package. This is cricket flour.

Don’t think that you will be crunching down on a bunch of heads and legs. Now, that would be gross.

These sampler packs include one bar each of Blueberry Vanilla, Apple Cinnamon and Cacao Nut.

Don’t be surprised if you are surprised. Many people don’t expect that they will taste something good. Then, they realize that they like crickets. This may have something to do with the fact that these paleo protein bars have been created by a professional chef.

They include lots of other tasty, wholesome ingredients that you won’t be unhappy about eating – and besides having 10 grams of protein each, they also provide a nice boost of healthy energy. And no gluten, grain, soy, dairy or refined sugars by the way.

Watch these taste tests:

Ingredients of Cricket Protein Bars:

Blueberry Vanilla
Ingredients include Almonds, Apricots, Blueberries, (Blueberries, Apple Juice Concentrate), Strawberries (Strawberries, Apple Juice Concentrate) and Cricket Flour (Acheta Domesticus). Plus Honey, Ground Flaxseeds, Coconut, Vanilla Extract and Sea Salt.

Apple Cinnamon
Ingredients include Almonds, Plum Paste (Plum Juice Concentrate, Plums), Apricots, Apple Paste (Apple Juice Concentrate, Apple Puree Concentrate) an Cricket Flour. Plus Honey, Apples, Ground Flaxseeds, Coconut, Vanilla Extract, Spices and Sea Salt.

Cacao Nut
Ingredients include Almonds, Dates, Coconut, Honey and Cricket Flour. Plus Cacao Nibs, Cacao Powder, Ground Flaxseeds, Vanilla Extract and Sea Salt.

NEW! Peanut Butter & Jelly
Ingredients include Peanuts, Strawberries (Strawberries, Apple Juice), Apricots and Cricket Flour. Plus Gluten-Free Oats, Ground Flaxseeds, Puffed Brown Rice (Rice Four, Rice Bran, Raisin Juice Concentrate, Honey, Salt), Honey, Vanilla Extract and Sea Salt.

Note: If you have an allergy to crustaceans, don’t eat the cricket bars.

Rating:

But… these are not the only cricket protein bars that you can buy. Chapul Cricket Energy Bars are also available online, as sampler packs or individual flavors. They are a little more expensive – about $28 for 6 bars VS $10 for 3 bars of the Exo.

These paleo protein bars are also contain no soy, dairy or gluten and are non-GMO. Flavors include Aztec (with organic espresso roast coffee beans and cayenne), Chaco (with peanuts, cocoa, oats and honey) and Thai (with almond butter, cashews, coconut flakes, ginger and lime – mmm).