Are Clif and Luna bars ACTUALLY healthy?

katie_30 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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

KBjimAZ · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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

pupcamper · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

Thanks everyone!!! This was really helpful

pstansel74 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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 · July 2012

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.