Are Clif and Luna bars ACTUALLY healthy?

katie_30

I really enjoy them both but they are kind of high calorie and sugar wise. I was wondering if they're actually worth eating as a health food or if it's just "We'll make it look really good for you by making it 'organic' but it's actually chock full of empty calories that won't do a damn thing for you." And if they are healthy, when's the best time to eat them?

gramacanada

Read the labels. Like any granola bar they can be used as treats. Mostly they are a highly advertised expensive form of candy. They have more nutrition than a chocolate bar, but not much. : )

wellbert

They've got a bit of sugar, and they are processed.
So, healthier than say, a bag of skittles.
Not as healthy as a bag of raw veggies and some chicken.

camrunner

They fit my definition of "healthy." But I guess that varies from person to person. For me, what's important is that they satisfy my hunger for long enough that the number of calories they have isn't very significant. I mean, I try to average something like 100 calories an hour I spend awake as a baseline, so if I eat a 250 calorie Clif bar and I'm satisfied for 2-3 hours, that's a win in my book.

darrenjohnsonn

The bars are good if you are going to be burning up carbs as soon as you eat it and have been before (backpacking,climbing, biking,and such but still better things out there. Theses bars get a really bad rep for being heavily prossesed even though is states all natural.

SherryTeach

Nearly all the bars are a lot of advertising hype. They have lots of unrecognizable ingredients and are full of sugar and salt. And when I eat one, I am always hungry right away, probably from the sugar spike. Fruit, veggies and nuts are just as easy and portable and have no additives.

whiskeycharged

I guess it depends on your diet. I used to eat cliff bars all the time but then I realized they didn't fill me up and the nutritional facts were not the best. Even though I love me some protein bars, the amount of carbs n sugar aren't worth it.

SamanthaAnnM

Reading threads like this makes me soooo sad, cause I love both Luna and Clif bars!

KBjimAZ

Clif bars were "designed" for situations where you need nutrition in a quick, easy, space saving form. (hiking, biking etc) So yes they are a couple of hundred calories and they have sugar value (although they use evaporated cane juice, not HFCS). As much as people would like to think so, they aren't diet food, meal replacement, etc.

nerdieprofessor

Nearly all the bars are a lot of advertising hype. They have lots of unrecognizable ingredients and are full of sugar and salt. And when I eat one, I am always hungry right away, probably from the sugar spike. Fruit, veggies and nuts are just as easy and portable and have no additives.

But fruit, veggies and nuts are mostly not so easy to eat while cycling...

ifyouwanttosingout

I highly recommend larabars for a more healthy alternative if you are looking for bars to eat often.

pupcamper

I like to think of bars like these as 'healthier'! Meaning if I'm in a situation where I don't have/can't have access to anything better then they are fine to have but probably not something to should incorporate in to your everyday meal planning!

camrunner

I think a few people have hit on the real crux of the matter here, which is that products like these are meant to be eaten on the go. They're awesome for that. I keep a handful of Clif bars in my backpack or my car for just that purpose. They shouldn't be something you eat on a regular basis when you're sitting around at home, because you should really be able to find something less expensive and healthier when you're not busy.

RejoicingL

They're healthy for me! When I have one in the afternoon it staves of the serious munchies I get, and gives me enough energy to get through the afternoon. And it's much better than the candy bars I used to eat! :P

katie_30

Thanks everyone!!! This was really helpful

pstansel74

I eat the Clif Builder Bars now. Slightly more calories but a lot more protein. Usually have 1 a day as a snack. Helps me keep my protein numbers up and I think they fill me up fine.

Gizziemoto

I use Lara and Luna bars if I am in a hurry and need a quick breakfast. They fill me up and better than McDonalds drive thru.

DMRun

I will often eat a Luna Bar within a 1/2 hour to hour post long run... for me they are good for getting the protein and carbs I need at that point. I have tried them as a quick breakfast...but they don't have staying power for that. Like others have posted...they are designed to eat during or post activity, that's why they are high in carbs and protein.

mangoduck

Sometimes I'll eat a Luna Bar for a snack, but I've recently switched to Lara Bars for my "oh crap, I don't have time to eat" mini meal. It's not optimal, but it's better than crap.

Anna800

I highly recommend larabars for a more healthy alternative if you are looking for bars to eat often.

Lara bars are made with dates and high in sugar, I had to stop eating them.

MoreBean13

They're awesome for pre-run carbs.

Janice2210

I'm gutted as I love Clif bars but as if I'm honest it's the sugar I'm craving in them and there is a reason I look like a telly tubby and these bars arn't going to get rid of my jelly bell any time soon...wish salad could taste as amazing as Clif bar peanut butter crunch! If I was tall and skinny i'd eat these every day!

atheeren

Frequently I find that I'm about to do something physically intensive with the realization that I haven't eaten anything for several hours and looking at not being able to eat a full meal with enough time to digest before doing whatever it is (mostly beach volleyball league). I find that Clif bars give the energy I need while also being really easy on the stomach while exercising.

kmsnyg

I eat a Luna bar everyday and have lost 70 lbs. So I don't care if anyone thinks they are unhealthy. They give me carbs and protein. I enjoy the taste. They fit in my calories.

corinic91

camrunner wrote: »

They fit my definition of "healthy." But I guess that varies from person to person. For me, what's important is that they satisfy my hunger for long enough that the number of calories they have isn't very significant. I mean, I try to average something like 100 calories an hour I spend awake as a baseline, so if I eat a 250 calorie Clif bar and I'm satisfied for 2-3 hours, that's a win in my book.

^interesting way to look at it, I've never thought about calories that way. I like it!

heybales

Love 'em, and fortified with many of the same chemicals in natural foods that provide vitamins and minerals. Also, Clif bars one of the few that are great for post endurance cardio for that magical 4:1 ratio carbs:protein. Besides, fruits are high in sugar too.

AmZam05

I think they are delicious but I don't eat them. I think they are expensive for what you get and I'd rather have something fresh like plain greek yogurt with berries for a protein/carb snack rather than something that has been processed and sits on a shelf for months.

However if you are really in a pinch I think they are convenient and healthier than grabbing a candy bar, but I personally wouldn't intentionally snack on them if I have time to prepare something healthier.

AskTracyAnnK28

I fit them into my macros a few times a week as an evening snack. Much better for me than what I used to eat 3 months ago

BlueBombers

I know that the Clif bars have a lot of sugar. I stick to protein bars that have very little sugar.

nam985

Are they the absolute best nutritional choice? Probably not. However when you aren't able to actually sit down and have a nice plate of veggies and hummus or some yogurt with nuts and fruit they aren't the worst. I tend to have them once or twice a week when I am busy teaching dance classes and need a little something to keep me going and prevent me from getting "hangry" (because hell hath no fury like a ballet teacher who hasn't eaten all day!).

chivalryder

Neither of them are healthy for me. They both contain soy. Soy screws with my head, so I avoid them like the plague (which sucks because they are yummy!).