|
Type of Product: Energy Bar
Manufacturer: Clif
Suggested Retail Price: $18.95 per box of 15
Ideal User: Although targeted to women, can be eaten by men as well
Good: Significantly higher concentrations of some important minerals, such as calcium and iron
Bad: Too much sugar to use as a meal replacement; hard-to-read label
The Bottom Line: An all-purpose energy bar loaded with supplements; aimed at women, but
there’s no reason men who like the flavor have to wrap it in plain brown paper
Review:
I’ve been testing Luna Bars to see how they compare to Power Bars, which I’ve used for years.
I hit the chocolate varieties first, because this product hopes to lure women, who seem to have some
karmic predisposition for chocolate. To my surprise, the only two flavors I finished were Chai Tea and
Lemon Zest. None of my butter-rich lemon cookies taste this delicious.
While not a substitute for a vitamin pill, all flavors score big points nutrition-wise. Oddly, Clif
seems disinterested in making this info easy to read. I had to squint to make out the fine print on the
label, and the nutritional make-up is why people eat these bars in the first place. I compared Lunas to
at least five other brands and found this to be the only product aimed specifically at women.
Yes, Luna Bars are higher in calcium, iron, Vitamin A, and folic acid (essential for fetal health in
pregnant women), but men also require these substances. I get the marketing ploy, but guys
shouldn’t be turned off by it.
As far as a meal replacement, Luna’s left me feeling a bit sugared up, so I won’t eat one if I
have to skip lunch. But they’ve definitely earned a place in backpack for an afternoon energy boost,
a lift during the last mile of a hike, or a relatively low-cal dessert.
|
