Battle of the Tasty Protein Bars: Nature Valley Protein Chewy Bars vs. CLIF Mojo
Even those of us who do our best to get our meals and snacks from whole, unprocessed foods sometimes find ourselves in need of some quick sustenance on the go. If you’re as active as I think you are, it’s important that the treat you choose comes packed with protein. And, if you’re as picky about what you eat as I am, well, it has to be tasty.
Recently, I tried out a couple of new protein bars, and just to save you the suspense, let me tell you one thing—they were both delicious. But, there’s more to it than that, of course, so let’s break it down.
Nature Valley Protein Chewy Bars
Available in two flavors, Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate and Peanut, Almond and Dark Chocolate (they sound similar, but the version with peanut butter is a bit sweeter), the Nature Valley Protein Chewy Bars pack 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. However, you’re also consuming 190 calories, 12 grams of fat and 6 grams of sugar, so, you know, it’s not the kind of snack you want to chow down on all the time between meals. I tell you this because, trust me, you will be tempted. I wasn’t kidding about the deliciousness.
Want more nutrition info? Here it is (and the numbers are very similar for both flavors, but you can find the peanut butter flavor nutrition info here):
CLIF Mojo
In the opposite corner, we have the CLIF Mojo, which comes in two versions—Dipped and, well, not Dipped. Dipped features two flavors (S’mores and Chocolate Peanut), both dipped in chocolate, and the un-Dipped version has a wider variety (White Chocolate, Honey Roasted Peanut, Mixed Nuts, Mountain Mix, Peanut Butter Pretzel and Coconut). The two versions offer a variety in terms of nutrition, with calories ranging from 200 to 210, 9 to 11 grams of fat, 8 to 10 grams of protein, 8 to 11 grams of sugar, and two grams of fiber across the board. So, once again, this shouldn’t be mistaken for an everyday source of nutrition, but as an occasional treat on the go? Yeah, I’d hit it.
Below is a sampling of nutrition labels from the Mojo line to help you make an informed decision.
CLIF Mojo Dipped Chocolate Peanut
CLIF Mojo Honey Roasted Peanut
CLIF Mojo Peanut Butter Pretzel
Do you ever snack on protein bars? Would either of these make the cut for your healthy diet? —Kristen
Comments
Neither of these has the amount of protein it takes to be what I consider a protein bar. They are more like snack bars. Neither of these would make it into my diet because they both contain too many sugary sweeteners. Sugar, fructose, corn syrup, honey, brown rice syrup, cane juice, wow.
Good info here. I will probably stick to Usana snack bars, equal to these in protein, less in carbs, sodium, and fat, somewhat lower in calories. Taste? Good enough in a pinch, at least for the chocolate and the PB flavors.
I won’t eat the Nature Valley because they contain High Maltose Corn Syrup.
Every once in a while I have a Luna bar, otherwise, I tend to avoid protein or snack bars – lots of sugar, lots of calories, and not enough protein and fiber to make it worth my while.
I am a WLS post op and my favorite bar is by Quest nutrition. Low sugar, high fiber, high protein, and delicious. I swear I am not a commercial for them. But I agree with the poster who said that these really are more snack bars than protein bars. Another option is the 5:1 or 6:1 bars from, I think, MetaGenix….GNC usually carries them and I know Amazon has them. Another set of good ones for protein are PowerCrunch wafers and Supreme Protein.
Honestly. My favorite protein bar is… a hard boiled egg or a piece of grilled chicken! Nothing beats these things… Well, other than a grass-fed beef, ostrich, elk or venison patty! 🙂
I echo the other reader’s comments here in that these contain far too many nasty ingredients to qualify as anything more than a glorified protein bar. I too used to reach for both of these until I really started to learn more about ingredients in processed food. I won’t by anything containing high fructose corn syrup (which the Nature Valley bar contains) or palm kernel oil (which I believe the Cliff Mojo bars contain.) Instead, I reach for a handful of nuts or, if worst comes to worst and I have a sugar/protein bar-like craving, I will eat a Larabar, which only contain 4-5 ingredients that are all whole foods. Ingredient lists are just as important as the straight up nutrition labels and I’ve seen being mindful of this work in my personal weight loss quest more than I believed it even could.
When you try these, you’ll never buy another protein bar again. Enjoy!!! Email me and let me know what you think
lbeckwithmph@yahoo.com
Chocolate, Peanut Butter Easy, No-Bake Protein Bars
Ingredients:
• 1 medium jar natural peanut butter (you can substitute almond or cashew butter if you like)
•3 1/2 cups uncooked old fashioned oats
•1/2 cup ground flax meal
•1/2 cup chia seeds
•5 scoops whey protein powder (vanilla, chocolate or unflavored—I think unflavored is best here)
•1 1/2 cups Hershey’s cocoa powder
•1 teaspoon cinnamon
•1 cup dark Ghirardelli chocolate chips
•Stevia/Truvia or Sweet n’ Low to taste (7 packets seems good, but you might like more or less)
•2 cups water
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl combine all the ingredients, adding the water last. I choose to mix these by hand. The tricky part with these is getting the right amount of water. Add just enough so that the mixture is just moist (not too wet or sticky) and can be formed into either bars or cookies and retain their form. Place in individual snack bags that you can grab for a quick, tasty, filling and super healthy high protein/high fiber snack! Please store bars in your refrigerator.
Yields: 24 to 36 depending on the size you make them
Variations: If you prefer, you can swap the peanut butter for 1 cup of almond butter or coconut oil and add about a cup of unsweetened coconut for chocolate coconut almond bars! Add chopped almonds for even more deliciousness.
Nope. wouldn’t touch these. my protein bar is a Rise Bar- Almond Honey protein bar. 3 ingredients and no Soy, no GMOS!
I’ve been using the LEVEL One protein bars with low carb. I understand the higher fat from the nuts. I’d just prefer more protein than fat in a bar.
love this bar
Comments are closed.