CLIF bars
NeahF
Posts: 49 Member
Replies
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I don't think they are bad for you. If you like the taste, and can fit them in your calorie goals I see no issue with eating them. I like the Lara bars better than Clif bars.1
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Our house is into the peanut butter crunch. I have a bar on occasion and tend to cut it in half. Can't remember the last time I ate a whole one in a single sitting. They're really sweet/sugary tasting.
So, one half is enough for my longer bike rides (90+ min). They also keep in my pack very well over the long term.2 -
I like them the ones I have are not really low calorie though, good for energy and to add cals, I put them in the toaster oven for a few min and cut them into little pieces to have with my coffee3
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I have a few boxes of the minis in my car for before/after trail running/cycling (along with my fruit snacks).0
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Our house is into the peanut butter crunch. I have a bar on occasion and tend to cut it in half. Can't remember the last time I ate a whole one in a single sitting. They're really sweet/sugary tasting.
So, one half is enough for my longer bike rides (90+ min). They also keep in my pack very well over the long term.
I used to do the same (half a bar at 125-130 calories). They now sell boxes of "Mini" ones that are 100 calories each that I started buying (convenient & ~comparably priced). (Also makes it easier to stash in top tube bag).2 -
I use to eat them. They taste good and are healthier than some of the alternatives. However I now eat maxines burn bars because they're lower in calories and fat.0
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I like them. The peanut butter one is my reward for a big burn workout. I can't fit them in my calorie count otherwise.0
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They're "good" in some contexts and "bad" in others. They're just a calorie-dense snack food that is high in carbohydrates. They're excellent as what they're designed for, food to sustain activity. I have them several times a year, I especially like the salty and nut butter filled versions.0
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Neither good or bad...it's just food.
But, they are pretty calorie-heavy, so I only eat them in two situations:
On a long hike as a snack, or as a lunch replacement if I am in a rare situation where I can't get a real lunch.
I find them tasty and filling. My favorite is peanut toffee buzz...which has some caffeine for extra fun.0 -
My fave was the white chocolate macadamia nut. I used to keep one on me at all times for unexpected blood sugar crashes... and I would pack one in my bag for kayaking on the river, or other similar outings. Haven’t bought any since starting MFP because of the calories... now that I have doing more endurance activities it actually might be a good thing to have one hand though!1
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I like them. Generally they are pretty high-calorie for my needs, so I use them for when I'm very active or when I'm traveling and need something in my stomach, but am having trouble stomach-ing things (I get motion sickness very easily, so clif bars are an airport staple for me).1
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i keep a box in my car as an emergency breakfast/lunch, i just wish they had more protein (or that i hadn't eaten every flavor of builders bar into the ground). the new coffee shop flavors are nice as a pick-me-up since they have an espresso shot's worth of caffeine in each but my absolute favorite is the peanut butter banana with the dark chocolate chunks.1
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I love them. Certainly had no issue when i ate then during my initial 50 lb loss.1
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janejellyroll wrote: »They're "good" in some contexts and "bad" in others. They're just a calorie-dense snack food that is high in carbohydrates. They're excellent as what they're designed for, food to sustain activity. I have them several times a year, I especially like the salty and nut butter filled versions.
This. A great item to grab before/during/after cardio in/next to the car/on the bike/in the middle of a trail. But, IMO, a really bad item to have at the ready if a boredom snacker with down time and minimal extra exercise calories.2 -
cosmiqrecovery wrote: »i keep a box in my car as an emergency breakfast/lunch, i just wish they had more protein (or that i hadn't eaten every flavor of builders bar into the ground). the new coffee shop flavors are nice as a pick-me-up since they have an espresso shot's worth of caffeine in each but my absolute favorite is the peanut butter banana with the dark chocolate chunks.
I keep 1-2 boxes worth of Balance bars in the car 'food bag' along with the 1-2 boxes worth of Clif minis and fruit snacks. I'll reach for the Balance before Clif if I'm bit lower on protein that day.
Also a fan of the peanut butter banana. (Luckily, they were on major clearance on Amazon once upon a time, otherwise I might never have tried the flavor). (I'm kind of hoping the newer minis catch on in popularity and more flavors translate over since they are so much more convenient). Even when mountaineering (where I would eventually eat the entire thing), I tended to keep them in a front pouch and nibble them in smaller more frequent increments.0 -
It depends on the type of person you are. Are you...
A climber? Someone who plays sports? Someone who trains? Someone who runs? Someone who spends a huge amount of energy throughout their day through physical activity?
Then yes! These bars are literally made for you. They’re a compact little brick of high calorie nutrition to replenish what you’re losing. They’re made for throwing in your hiking backpack or gym back and intentionally don’t take up very much space.
Are you...
Someone sedentary? Someone who works and office job and doesn’t have any physical hobbies? Someone who’s just trying to lose weight?
No. These bars are for athletes, as are most granola/protein bar. They’re not very high volume, so they’re not very filling, but they are very high calorie so they can replace the calories someone athletic burns. For people like us, they’re candy bars. You’re much better off eating higher volume, lower cal snacks.6 -
hexxennacht wrote: »It depends on the type of person you are. Are you...
A climber? Someone who plays sports? Someone who trains? Someone who runs? Someone who spends a huge amount of energy throughout their day through physical activity?
Then yes! These bars are literally made for you. They’re a compact little brick of high calorie nutrition to replenish what you’re losing. They’re made for throwing in your hiking backpack or gym back and intentionally don’t take up very much space.
Are you...
Someone sedentary? Someone who works and office job and doesn’t have any physical hobbies? Someone who’s just trying to lose weight?
No. These bars are for athletes, as are most granola/protein bar. They’re not very high volume, so they’re not very filling, but they are very high calorie so they can replace the calories someone athletic burns. For people like us, they’re candy bars. You’re much better off eating higher volume, lower cal snacks.
So, unless you are an athlete you shouldn't eat Clif bars?
OP if you like the taste and want to eat them regardless of being an athlete or not. You go right ahead and enjoy.5 -
I like the kidz clif chocolate chip bar. Fewer calories than the grown up bars but still tastes great.4
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hexxennacht wrote: »It depends on the type of person you are. Are you...
A climber? Someone who plays sports? Someone who trains? Someone who runs? Someone who spends a huge amount of energy throughout their day through physical activity?
Then yes! These bars are literally made for you. They’re a compact little brick of high calorie nutrition to replenish what you’re losing. They’re made for throwing in your hiking backpack or gym back and intentionally don’t take up very much space.
Are you...
Someone sedentary? Someone who works and office job and doesn’t have any physical hobbies? Someone who’s just trying to lose weight?
No. These bars are for athletes, as are most granola/protein bar. They’re not very high volume, so they’re not very filling, but they are very high calorie so they can replace the calories someone athletic burns. For people like us, they’re candy bars. You’re much better off eating higher volume, lower cal snacks.
Meh, I get what you're saying but some people genuinely enjoy lower volume, higher calorie treats sometimes. There is no inherent problem with that as long as they're accounting for it in their calorie goal. There are days when I'd rather have half a cup of a really great dessert than a giant bowl of something else.
I would agree that someone is "better off" eating higher volume snacks if they enjoy it and it helps them meet their calorie goals. It's just that I would never assume that someone was in that category.7 -
nothing is "bad for you" really unless it's poison. just figure out if the macros and calories fit into your plan one way or the other and enjoy what you enjoy.3
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Are they good or bad for you?
Do you eat them? How often and what kind?
I wouldn't say they are inherently "good" for you or "bad" for you...context is important. Anything can be good or bad for you depending on context.
I don't eat them on a regular basis, but they are a great hiking or rock climbing food that is small and easy to transport and high in energy (calories). I also used to have one on me for long rides and endurance cycling events for that reason as well. I don't eat them on the daily...IMO, flavor is decent, but not great and I could think of a lot of other tasty things to eat if I'm just at home. They are great when I need energy though, and at that point not really giving a whole lot of thought as to how they taste. I prefer the peanut butter ones the most.1 -
Do with it what you will. Not something I would ever eat considering there are so many alternatives2 -
pancakerunner wrote: »
Do with it what you will. Not something I would ever eat considering there are so many alternatives
Personally, if I'm gonna eat something with that many calories, I would prefer it to have more protein (10g/100 calories at least). Unless it's cake...or pie.
Or chocolate.
But that's because I'm usually low on protein since I automatically reach for the carbs.1 -
pancakerunner wrote: »
Do with it what you will. Not something I would ever eat considering there are so many alternatives
Personally, if I'm gonna eat something with that many calories, I would prefer it to have more protein (10g/100 calories at least). Unless it's cake...or pie. Or chocolate.
But that's because I'm usually low on protein since I automatically reach for the carbs.
I agree. Plus, there is no ingredient integrity whatsoever. A little biased, but CLIF, KIND and the like are criminal in how they market themselves. And anything by Quaker lol0 -
pancakerunner wrote: »pancakerunner wrote: »
Do with it what you will. Not something I would ever eat considering there are so many alternatives
Personally, if I'm gonna eat something with that many calories, I would prefer it to have more protein (10g/100 calories at least). Unless it's cake...or pie. Or chocolate.
But that's because I'm usually low on protein since I automatically reach for the carbs.
I agree. Plus, there is no ingredient integrity whatsoever. A little biased, but CLIF, KIND and the like are criminal in how they market themselves. And anything by Quaker lol
Didn't they start marketing the Kind bars with the ingredients you can pronounce tag? Whatever it was, it annoyed the hell out of me. I don't eat them now for other reasons but whatever it was totally put me off.0 -
They are higher in sugar than other choices however if you enjoy them and keep calories right sure. They do taste very good. They are dense but can be a satisfying snack-treat- pick me up. I get Garden of Life bars. 200 calories and they are somewhat similar category
The peanut butter chocolate are awesome. Ive introduced them to a lot of people who love them.
A ~200 calorie snack like that is what kept me from binges for years. Knowing that I can ve something that I really enjoy every day gives you freedom.
Again they are tasty 😋
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pancakerunner wrote: »pancakerunner wrote: »snip
Do with it what you will. Not something I would ever eat considering there are so many alternatives
Personally, if I'm gonna eat something with that many calories, I would prefer it to have more protein (10g/100 calories at least). Unless it's cake...or pie. Or chocolate.
But that's because I'm usually low on protein since I automatically reach for the carbs.
I agree. Plus, there is no ingredient integrity whatsoever. A little biased, but CLIF, KIND and the like are criminal in how they market themselves. And anything by Quaker lol
I'm all for banning "The Man" for the littlest of reasons, believe me. However, CLIF bars have the structural integrity that helps it keep in my packs for a while. There are, of course, higher-protein bars with much less sugar (Simply Bars are a tasty example) but they break apart in your hands at the slightest wisp of air. Perhaps it's just me, but I'd rather not look like this when sweating in public and noshing a snack...
NOTE: thanks to @RelCanonical, I just put some CLIF bars in my carry-on luggage where "Future Me" will be OVERJOYED for a snack that doesn't come from an airline steward.
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pancakerunner wrote: »
Do with it what you will. Not something I would ever eat considering there are so many alternatives
What I like about these bars is they go down easily, they are pretty high calorie for the size (which I need) and I usually won't want another one after I'm done. So it's palatable but not delicious so I don't crave them at all. They could have more protein but I usually eat them after or with a protein shake.
But if I was on limited calories I probably wouldn't choose them over another lower calorie high protein option.1 -
pancakerunner wrote: »pancakerunner wrote: »
Do with it what you will. Not something I would ever eat considering there are so many alternatives
Personally, if I'm gonna eat something with that many calories, I would prefer it to have more protein (10g/100 calories at least). Unless it's cake...or pie. Or chocolate.
But that's because I'm usually low on protein since I automatically reach for the carbs.
I agree. Plus, there is no ingredient integrity whatsoever. A little biased, but CLIF, KIND and the like are criminal in how they market themselves. And anything by Quaker lol
I have no issue with how Clif markets itself....unless I'm missing out on some of their advertising, AFAIK they went with the I'm a backpacker sick of the blech choices, and so formulated something that tasted less disgusting while being fairly-ish well-rounded on macros, and keeps and travels well, also a decent ~$1/meal price tag for that.
As far as I know, they didn't go the "organic"/"superfood"/'blah blah blah' route to advertise to the stupid people like Kind, etc., also whichever brand makes those stupid sugar-bomb ground date-based ones that snobbish people like because they are 'healthier'). They are far from being protein bars, but are much better than trail mix, granola bars, and a lot of other traditional portable non-perishable trail food, as far as protein content goes.
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