raw paleo bars Archives

So, Why Nutrawbars?

The goal of the company is to make their snack bars with 5 ingredients or less, and make them without artificial additives or preservatives.

Yes, there are other fruit-and-nut bars on the market. Yes, there are other brands that make paleo bars with minimal ingredients. What I like about Nutrawbars is their unique flavors.

First of all, I am a big fan of pistachio nuts. I haven’t found many bars that have them. Nutrawbars makes a 100% raw pistachio bar with a unique twist of cardamom spice.

Secondly, chia seeds are a very nutrient dense ingredient, known most for their omega-3 content and fiber. I like paleo bars that give me the nutrition I want without having to eat extra fish or oatmeal.

The other two flavors, Coconut and Fig, are not significantly different from other brands I have seen. But they are good nonetheless. I think of them more like “dessert” bars, to help me stop my cake and ice cream craving after dinner.

Another cool thing is that you can get these flavors in a 12-bar variety pack, so you’ll never get bored.

Nutrawbar Ingredients:

Coconut:
Organic Dates, Organic Coconut, Organic Almonds and Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil.

Pistachio:
Organic Dates, Organic Pistachios Organic Almonds, Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil and Organic Green Cardamom.

Fig:
Organic Whole Figs, Organic Almonds and Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil.

Chia Seed:
Organic Dates, Organic Chia Seeds, Organic Almonds and Organic Cashews.

In addition to their Nutrawbars, Nutrawfoods also makes pistachio butters, pistachio oil and almond oil. They’re not cheap, but they’re different.

“Sugar-Free” can mean different things to different people. For example, some people may consider the white or brown granulated version as “sugar”, but they think raw honey or agave nectar is not. Other people put all caloric sweeteners in the “sugar” category.

Something to keep in mind about honey: the raw version has more vitamins and micronutrients than filtered or pasteurized honey, says Tyler Daniels, author of Paleo Crock Pot Recipes.

Benefits of Avoiding Sugar:

One of the biggest causes of fat storage has to do with sugar and the hormone insulin. Essentially, it can send a message to the brain to store fat if you are eating a lot of sugar and/or simple carbs in your diet.

According to John Chatham, author of Paleo for Beginners, eating sugar on a regular basis can lead to insulin resistance with a fluctuation of blood sugar levels. By avoiding sugar, you can maintain a more consistent blood sugar level and thereby reduce fatigue.

That sugary donut for breakfast may be the culprit of having low energy, and many people just assume that they need to drink more coffee!

Consider This…

When looking for a sugar free protein bar, some shoppers simply want to find a low-carb snack. If this is you, check out raw or vegan protein bars, as they can be very low in carbs (ie the Live Pumpkin Bar has 5 grams of sugar) even though agave nectar is one of the ingredients.

These clean protein bars also provide healthy fats and other nutrients which provide give you energy without spiking your blood sugar levels.

For This Discussion…

For this discussion, “sugar” will encompass all sweeteners except for those that are calorie-free. Natural foods that happen to be sweet, like dates or raisins, will not be considered a sugar.

Therefore, protein bars that contain ingredients like raw honey or agave nectar will not be included on this list. However, bars that contain dates, other dried fruits or sugar alcohols can be on the list. So, on with the show…

PaleoLife Bars

The PaleoLife Bar is high in protein (17 grams) and high in good fats but low in sugar (2 grams). Coconut, Cocoa and cinnamon enhances the flavor.

PaleoBar Cocommune Bar

This bar is rich and chocolate-y and is sweet because of the maltitol syrup (sugar alcohol). It’s high in healthy coconut fats, which is also considered an immune booster, but the protein-per-serving count is only 2 grams. Sugar is 1 gram per serving.

Quest Nutrition Protein Bars

Quest Protein Bars are known for having high protein content and very low sugar because they are sweetened with stevia and erythritol. I would consider these sugar-free protein bars. They contain natural ingredients, are gluten-free and are high in fiber as well.

They come in a variety of different flavors (see below), all of which receive high ratings. They also are well-priced, at about $2 a bar when purchased in bulk (box of 12 bars).

Warning: Don’t read this list below or you will get very hungry.

Why I Like Nutrawbar Organic Raw Fruit & Nut Bars…

So, Why Nutrawbars?

Nutrawbar Ingredients:

3 Sugar-Free Protein Bars – 12 Flavors