I had the opportunity to try out a power bar from the company Trim Fuel. I was sent a protein bar in the cookie dough flavor. I tried it upon its arrival after looking over the wrapper and viewing the nutrients. I will speak first about the overall nutrition. It is gluten free and contains no artificial sweeteners. It does contain sugar alcohols, which are a type of reduced-calorie sweetener. It is easy to find out if a product has sugar alcohols in them usually by the terms "sugar-free" or "no sugar added" and of course some foods will say "sugar alcohol" on them as well. Sugar alcohols are lower in calories than sugar (about half) and have less of an effect on blood sugar than other carbohydrates. This can be beneficial to diabetics and those watching their weight.
The positives: This bar contains some beneficial and healthy ingredients: This particular Trim Fuel bar has 170 calories, 600 mg of Omega Fatty Acids, 10g protein, and 10g fiber. (Trim Bar website, American Diabetes Association, Diabetes.org and FamilyDoctor.org) Nutrition wise it is pretty good and recommended.
Chicory fiber, Sunflower Oil, Flax Seeds, and Chia are main ingredients I noticed. Chicory fiber (inulin) is often added to foods to provide fiber without causing undesirable flavor or texture. Inulin prevents constipation, balances bacteria in the colon, and can lower blood cholesterol. It gives a smooth, silky, creamy texture to foods, almost like a margarine. (Mayo Clinic) Another ingredient that stands out to me in this bar is sunflower oil which has linoleic acid in it, which is an omega-6 fatty acid that is high in Vitamin E.
Flax seeds contain Omega-3 (essential fatty acids) and are also high in fiber. Chia assists in weight loss as well as reducing glucose levels. Chia has "nearly 11 grams of fiber per ounce and delivers 42% of your recommended daily value of fiber in a single serving." It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids essential fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are helpful to restoring new cells in the body. They also support heart health and promote beautiful skin, hair and nails. These Omegas are in my prenatal vitamins. Often pregnant and nursing mothers often have a increased glossiness and shine to their hair, and fast growing nails and hair. This is due to those skin/hair/nail fortifying ingredients.
Knowing that sugar alcohols, inulin/chicory fiber, flax and chia seeds can "prevent constipation", it is important to take these in moderation. :)
Negative or the not so positive:
This cookie dough bar has a chocolate coating (chocolate is a good thing, but this type is not a winner for me) The flavor and texture of this bar was just "okay" for me. I am also super glad I did not take this with me in the car or without a plate. It was really messy and crumbly. The chocolate coating was very powdery. The bar also had a strange texture. I have never been a fan of bars or desserts with sugar alcohols in them as they have an after taste. I rather have regular sugar and consume in low amounts than a sugar free or substitute sugar. It is for this reason I have never been a fan of Splenda, Stevia, (or the "pink" or "blue" sugar packets), as they taste much different than sugar and change the entire flavor of whatever they are in.
I am probably spoiled on my favorite power/fiber/nutrition bar from the KIND company. My favorite is Dark Chocolate, nuts (almonds, peanuts, walnuts mixed) and sea salt. The chocolate is a wonderful quality semi-sweet dark (drizzled on top and a layer under the bar as well) and the bar is low in real sugar (5 g). There is 7 g fiber, 6 g protein, Non GMO. Gluten free. No sugar alcohols (yay). Low glycemic. Low sodium. No trans fats. Now that is a bar!
The KIND bar: In Dark chocolate, nuts, and sea salt:
The Trim Fuelbar: Cookie Dough:
I also was very surprised that the company only sent one bar. For me, I need to try something a few times before I have an idea of if it is going to be something I love or get tired of. I might love something the first 2 times I eat it, but then it may end up on the third time trying it, making me sick or bored. The same thing goes for when I have gotten a one time use sample of a lotion, you have to be able to see if your skin or body has a bad reaction to it, or if your skin improves with continued use.
This bar was not for me. I do like the nutrition content, but flavor and texture wise it was not appealing to me. I did share it with my husband and he did say it was comparable to the "Pure Protein" brand he has tried before, which is not his favorite, but is one he does eat and enjoys in certain flavors. He seemed to like this one more than I did. He is used to bars with sugar alcohols and sugar substitutes (He loves Crystal Light drinks). Those who drink diet sodas or foods with alternative sweeteners, probably will LOVE this and will think I am a crazy person for not loving it.
So why not try it?? You might love it!
The company will be giving one of my readers a free bar. USA only. If you are a winner, please let me know what you think of the bar after you have tried it and post your comments here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Right now I am doing green smoothies for a snack
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