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Tasting Notes and Protocol:
I want to make it clear that I am NOT a proponent of vegan, “raw”, or Paleo diets. Having said that, if you do follow one of these regimes, you'll be pleased at the number of choices you have in protein bars.

I tasted 194 protein bars from 71 brands for this article; 191 are written up here. One of the remaining bars was manufactured by a company whose hard-sell, fear-tactic advertising so annoyed me that I decided I didn't need to include their product.

Manufacturers frequently “tweak” the ingredients in bars or reformulate them completely. Manitoba Harvest makes a Hemp Heart Bar, and I tasted two varieties for this article. When I went to type up my review, however, I could find no such bars on their website. I called the company, who has temporarily removed the bars from their site because they are changing their recipe, so those reviews are also not included here.

If you are sensitive to particular ingredients or want to avoid them, do not assume that all bars made by one manufacturer contain identical ingredients, even if the bars are in the same product line. For example, at this writing, SunWarrior produces four flavors of protein bars. Two contain erythritol, and two do not. If you have sensitivities or allergies, you probably already understand that you must read every label.

You'll see that some bars had an oily, or slightly oily, exterior. Krishna Rathi, the founder of Oorja Bars, notes that “bars produced without hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils will always exhibit some natural separation between the oils and other ingredients in the bar” (the same thing happens in a jar of natural-style peanut butter). Some manufacturers (such as Oorja) do not use hydrogenated oils because of the ongoing health concerns about them, so you'll get this slight degree of separation.

The majority of the bars had an enjoyable texture, though the textures varied considerably from soft to quite chewy. A good number of bars contained what I describe as “light-textured crispy bits”; at least some of these are protein crisps. The latter are often made from multiple kinds of plant proteins. Many of the bars were difficult in some degree to bite into, but that was not necessarily a negative, as almost all softened quickly once I began chewing them.

Bar flavor was a different story, however. It took me over two months to taste all the bars and write this article. During that time, every single person to whom I mentioned the subject of this taste-test either asked if I had found any that tasted good or said I'd really have to pick and choose to find a decent protein bar. In fact, I had very few favorites, considering how many bars I tasted, and many I tried had an outright unpleasant (or worse) taste. Much of that is due to issues with the flavor of the proteins. While I can't predict whether we'll all be eating protein bars a decade from now, if we are, my guess is that the flavor of the proteins will have improved considerably. We can only hope!

No more than four bars were tasted in any one sitting, with no more than two sittings per day. Typically, I took three bites of each bar, chewing and swallowing after each bite. When finished evaluating a bar, I drank water and rinsed my mouth out multiple times; at least five full minutes elapsed before I tasted the next bar (yes, I timed the intervals). While some bars were stored in the refrigerator or freezer, all bars were tasted at room temperature.

Bars are listed in alphabetical order by brand. Within brands, flavors I tried are listed in italics. You'll see six statistics per bar. In order, they are serving size (except as noted, serving size is also bar size), calories per serving, protein content, sodium content, grams of sugars, and fiber content. Following these is my review. All bars are shelf-stable except as noted.

Any food-related certifications are listed (gluten free, kosher, etc.); non-food-related certifications were not considered for this article. Claims made by the manufacturer are listed as well; a claim means only that the product has not been certified in that particular aspect. For instance, the words “gluten free” might appear on a protein bar label, but if the product has not been certified gluten free, I list that as a claim. It doesn't mean that the claim is untrue; there's just no certification for the claim at this writing (although the manufacturer could be in the process of obtaining such a certification). It is often impossible to tell a label claim from a certification, because some manufacturers use symbols that look like they might be certifications; even online research won't always give you an answer, and customer service representatives don't always know (though they are very good about getting answers). If you see incorrect information about any product here, please let me know and I'll try to remedy it as soon as possible.

I hope you will use these listings as a starting point for your own research.

The Favorites (in alphabetical order):

---CORE Foods, Walnut Banana + Whey

---EMPACT Protein and Energy Bars, Coconut Crave

---Exo Protein Bars, Apple Cinnamon

---KIND Strong & Kind Almond Protein Bars, Hickory Smoked

---MariGold Bars, Pure Joy

---Papa Steve's No Junk Raw Protein Bars, Apple Cinnamon Pecan and Vanilla Cashew Coconut

---R.E.D.D. Superfood Energy Bars, Chocolate

---Zing Nutrition Bars, Dark Chocolate Mint

All Bars Tasted:
22 Days Organic Protein Bar, http://www.22daysnutrition.com/. Certified organic. Claims: non-GMO, plant-based, gluten-free, soy-free. Coconut Chocolate Chip: 75 grams, 290 calories, 20 grams protein, 5 mg sodium, 15 grams sugars, 12 grams fiber. Looks almost like a chocolate coconut cookie. Great chewy texture! A little chocolate flavor but too bland overall. PB & Chocolate Chip Nirvana: 75 grams, 280 calories, 20 grams protein, 0 mg sodium, 17 grams sugars, 10 grams fiber. A chocolate colored exterior with visible sesame seeds; interior is peanut butter colored with chocolate chips. Some chewiness; melts rapidly in mouth to a slightly granular texture. Tastes vaguely of sesame, with slight flavors of chocolate and peanut butter.

Aloha Organic Superfoods Protein Bar, www.aloha.com. Certified organic, certified kosher (dairy equipment). Claims: gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, plant-based, real- food meal replacement. Chocolate Fudge Brownie: 65 grams, 260 calories, 18 grams protein 135 mg sodium, 11 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Looks like a brownie crossed with a chocolate cookie in rectangular bar form. Very tough to bite into; dry and hard but softens as you chew. A little chocolate flavor but overall not very good. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip: 65 grams, 270 calories, 18 grams protein, 250 mg sodium, 12 grams sugars, 6 grams fiber. Resembles a rectangle of peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough. Difficult to bite into. Interior has chocolate chips and nuts. Doesn't taste like peanut butter or chocolate---or much of anything else. Vanilla Almond Crunch: 65 grams, 290 calories, 18 grams protein, 100 mg sodium, 10 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Almond butter colored, cookie-like rectangle studded with pumpkin seeds. Somewhat difficult to bite into; softens rapidly in mouth. Dry texture. I taste vanilla up front but that changes to an overwhelming pumpkin seed flavor.

Amrita Health Foods Protein Bar, www.amritahealthfoods.com. Certified kosher (pareve), Non-GMO Project verified. Claims: raw, gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, dairy-free. Chocolate Maca: 60 grams, 230 calories, 15 grams protein, 75 mg sodium, 13 grams sugars, 4 grams fiber. Dark brown bar that looks like it contains chocolate or cocoa, and, in fact, has organic cocoa powder. Some flavor of dates and some of cocoa, but otherwise a markedly unpleasant combination of tastes. A bit of coconut texture.

ANSI Gourmet Cheesecake Protein Bar, https://ansinutrition.com/. “ANSI” stands for “Advanced Nutrient Science International”. Certified gluten free. Claims: non-GMO, low net carbs, 100% clean, hormone free rBST/rBGH, soy free, zero sugar alcohol, “America's Purest Protein Bar! (TM)”. Chocolate Coconut Cheesecake: 65 grams, 210 calories, 20 grams protein, 125 mg sodium, 5 grams sugars, 19 grams fiber. Light tan colored bar with chocolate coating on top and sides. Very difficult to bite into. A bit of coconut flavor and texture, but overall it's awful, somewhat bitter and just plain unpleasant. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake: 68 grams, 220 calories, 20 grams protein, 210 mg sodium, 4 grams sugars, 20 grams fiber. Looks like a peanut butter bar with the bottom dipped in chocolate. Initially difficult to bite into but softens quickly in mouth. Small “hit” of chocolate is first taste, then very unpleasant. Awful. Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake: 65 grams, 205 calories, 20 grams protein, 140 mg sodium, 4 grams sugars, 19 grams fiber. Dark nut butter colored bar dipped in chocolate on the bottom. Slightly oily on top. Some berry aroma. A bit difficult to bite into. No taste of cheesecake or chocolate. Some berry flavor but not appealing.

Amazing Grass, www.amazinggrass.com. Certified organic. Claims: plant-based, non- GMO, gluten-free, “Plant-Based Protein Bar Plus greens, fruits and veggies”. Chocolate Almond Butter: 60 grams, 250 calories, 12 grams protein, 80 mg sodium, 13 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. A dark chocolate covered candy bar lookalike. Green interior is not visually appealing. Tastes somewhat like a subdued blend of green veggies. Chocolate Peanut Butter: 60 grams, 240 calories, 12 grams protein, 120 mg sodium, 14 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Chocolate covered candy bar lookalike. Interior is green, with pieces of nuts—not visually appealing. Somewhat difficult to bite into. Some taste of peanut butter and a tad of chocolate flavor, fading to a slight taste of greens.

Balance Nutrition Bar, www.balance.com. Certified kosher (dairy). Claims: does not contain gluten or wheat ingredients. Chocolate Peanut Butter: Claim: low glycemic index (19). 50 grams, 210 calories, 14 grams protein, 150 mg sodium, 17 grams sugars, 1 gram fiber. Candy bar lookalike. Multi-layered interior; the bottom layer looks like peanut butter nougat, while the top layer looks like caramel. A little chocolate flavor and somewhat sweet, but doesn't taste like much else except some soy flavor at the end. Cookie Dough: Claim: low glycemic index (24). 50 grams, 210 calories, 15 grams protein, 200 mg sodium, 17 grams sugars, <1 gram fiber. Looks like a chocolate covered candy bar with chocolate chip cookie dough inside, but it's very sweet, with a nasty soy protein isolate aftertaste. Dark Chocolate Crunch: Claims: low glycemic index (34). 45 grams, 180 calories, 13 grams protein, 190 mg sodium, 12 grams sugars, 4 grams fiber. Yet another dark chocolate covered candy bar lookalike. An initial burst of chocolate flavor changes rapidly into an awful taste I couldn't identify. Yogurt Honey Peanut: Claim: low glycemic index (28). 50 grams, 200 calories, 15 grams protein, 170 mg sodium, 18 grams sugars, 1 gram fiber. Yogurt glaze covered, smaller rectangle that looks like a candy bar. Interior resembles nougat with light-textured crispy protein bits in it. Nice chewy texture. Somewhat too sweet. The early peanut flavor fades to a slight bitterness.

BettyLou's Nuts About Energy Balls, www.bettylousinc.com/nut-butter-balls.html. Certified gluten-free and kosher (dairy). Claims: non-GMO, vegetarian. Protein Plus Almond Butter: 49 grams, 210 calories, 12 grams protein, 140 mg sodium, 12 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Almond butter colored, irregularly shaped ball with chopped almonds on exterior. Difficult to bite into at first but softens quickly in mouth. Nice chewiness, but almost no crunch from the chopped almonds. Obviously contains almond extract, and too much of it. Protein Plus Cashew Butter: 49 grams, 200 calories, 10 grams protein, 160 mg sodium, 13 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Irregularly shaped ball covered in chopped nuts. Somewhat difficult to bite into but softens in mouth immediately. Nice chewiness with a few light, crispy protein bits. I taste fruit, cinnamon, and salt---but no nuts. Protein Plus Peanut Butter: 49 grams, 200 calories, 13 grams protein, 130 mg sodium, 11 grams sugars, 4 grams fiber. A peanut butter colored, irregularly shaped ball with some chopped peanuts on the exterior. Can be a little tough to bite into. Initial brief light-textured crispness (from whey protein crisps), crunch from chopped peanuts, and some chewiness. Some peanut butter flavor and I can detect the oats in there as well. Good. With Peanuts, Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt: 49 grams, 210 calories, 12 grams protein, 120 mg sodium, 11 grams sugars, 4 grams fiber. Irregularly shaped ball of a medium chocolate color, with chopped peanuts on the exterior. Somewhat difficult to bite into; softens rapidly in mouth. Not much crunch from peanuts. Some chewiness. A little chocolate flavor.

BhuFit Paleo Egg White Protein Bars, www.bhufoods.com. Non-GMO Project verified. Claims: gluten-free. Double Dark Chocolate Chip: 45 grams, 180 calories, 14 grams protein, 230 mg sodium, 1 gram sugars, 10 grams fiber. Dark chocolate colored rectangle. Difficult to bite into, but softens quickly in the mouth. Doesn't taste like chocolate. Strong, awful flavor.

BhuFit Primal Grass Fed Whey Protein Bars, www.bhufoods.com. Whey protein certified from grass fed and rBGH free cows. Non-GMO Project verified. Claim: gluten-free. Dark Chocolate + Coconut + Almond: 45 grams, 200 calories, 14 grams protein, 75 mg sodium, 1 gram sugars, 8 grams fiber. Smallish chocolate colored rectangle studded with nuts and coconut shreds. Melt-in-your-mouth texture with some chew from the coconut shreds. Some “hits” of chocolate from the chocolate chips, but unpleasantly bitter. Vanilla + Almond + Cashew: 45 grams, 210 calories, 15 grams protein, 130 mg sodium, 1 gram sugars, 9 grams fiber. Oily exterior. Smallish, almond butter colored bar with bits of almond visible. Starts off nicely with a quiet almond-nut-vanilla flavor, brief middle interval of an unpleasant flavor, then a nice vanilla aftertaste.

BhuFit Vegan Protein Bars, www.bhufoods.com. Certified organic, Non-GMO Project verified. Claims: gluten-free. Peanut Butter + Chocolate Chip: 45 grams, 200 calories, 11 grams protein, 130 mg sodium, 1 gram sugars, 10 grams fiber. Oily exterior. Looks like a peanut butter bar with chopped peanuts and chocolate chips. Crunchy and a little chewy. Too much salt, not enough peanut butter or chocolate flavor. Peanut Butter + White Chocolate: 45 grams, 210 calories, 13 grams protein, 290 mg sodium, 2 grams sugars, 8 grams fiber. Somewhat oily exterior. Looks like a peanut butter bar with white chocolate scattered throughout. Rather dry, crumbly. I taste salt and some peanut butter. Slight bitter aftertaste.

Bounce Protein Energy Balls, http://us.bouncefoods.com/. Claims: GMO-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, “no artificial preservatives or additives”. Peanut Cacao: 49 grams, 210 calories, 13 grams protein, 125 mg sodium, 11 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. An irregularly-shaped ball covered in what looks like peanut butter, then chopped peanuts. Difficult to bite into, partly because of its thickness. Nice chewy texture with a slight peanut butter flavor, but a very unpleasant bitter overtone. Vanilla Almond: 42 grams, 180 calories, 10 grams protein, 105 mg sodium, 9 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Irregularly-shaped ball covered in chopped almonds. Initial flavor is of almonds, then vanilla, fading into bitterness. Nice chewiness mixed with the crunch of almonds and chia seeds.

Bricks Meals & Snacks, www.bricksbars.com. Certified organic and Paleo. Claims: milk-free, gluten-free, soy-free, grain-free, no hormones added, raised without antibiotics. Grass Fed Beef, Carrot, Apple and Hemp Seed Bar: 34 grams, 150 calories, 11 grams protein, 179 mg sodium, 3 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. A broad, rather flat rectangle. Very dry, somewhat chewy. Flavor is beef and spices. Not remarkable. Turkey, Sweet Potato, Cranberry and Pumpkin Seed: 43 grams, 130 calories, 10 grams protein, 105 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. Broader, dark brown rectangle with dessicated appearance. Some chewiness, with a bit of crunch from the pumpkin seeds. Unpleasantly dry texture. Not much flavor. Uncured Bacon, Cranberry and Sunflower Seed: 43 grams, 140 calories, 10 grams protein, 250 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 1 gram fiber. Dessicated-looking, small, broad rectangle. Very dry texture. I taste some spices and an undefinable meat. Not very good.

Brie's High Fiber Protein Bars, www.briesproteinbars.com. Claims: gluten-free, grain-free, exceptionally low sugar. These bars look like something you'd make at home; they're narrow, thick, irregular rectangles. No weight is provided for any of the bars I tasted. The first ingredient in all bars I tasted was the protein source; the second ingredient was soluble fiber. This company has two lines, which use different protein sources. The 1st Phorm Bars use 1st Phorm Level 1 Protein, which is defined on the website as “the Level-1 Matrix..an ultra bio-available, sustained assimilation protein formula” with whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, egg whites, and sodium caseinate. Tagline: “Kid tested. Athlete approved.” Chocolate Covered Strawberry: No weight given. 1 bar has 204 calories, 24 grams protein, sodium content not listed, 2 grams sugars, 29 grams fiber. A pale rectangle with bits of pink in it; 3 small chunks of dried strawberries atop, as well as a chocolate drizzle. Extremely sticky; difficult to remove wrapper. Initial chewiness melts in your mouth quickly. Slight flavor of strawberry. No chocolate presence. Just OK. The MRM Whey Protein Bars contain a blend of low temperature processed whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. Additional claims for these bars: hormone-free, BSE-free, MSG-free, aspartame-free, no artificial flavors or sweeteners including sucralose. Cocoa Beach: No weight given. 1 bar has 130 calories, 19 grams protein, sodium content not listed, 1 gram sugars, 15 grams fiber. Looks like a very moist brownie with 2 chocolate chips and 1 pecan for garnish. Very chewy but eventually melts in your mouth. Some initial chocolate flavor but that turns quickly to the flavor of the protein, which I did not enjoy. Peanut Butter Cookie Dough: No weight given. 1 bar has 200 calories, 20 grams protein, sodium content not listed, 3 grams sugar, 21 grams fiber. A peanut butter colored rectangle with a few large chocolate chips in the bar. Nice chewiness with an initial good peanut butter flavor that's replaced by a bitter taste as you chew.

Clif Energy Bars, www.clifbars.com. Certified kosher (dairy). Claim: “We source ingredients that are not genetically engineered.” Chocolate Chip: 68 grams, 250 calories, 10 grams protein, 150 mg sodium, 22 grams sugars, 4 grams fiber. Irregular rectangle; looks like dark brown porridge in bar form studded with chocolate chips. Some crispy/crunchy texture, some chewiness. Much too sweet.

Clif Builder's Protein Bars, www.clifbars.com. Certified kosher (dairy), Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa. Claims: low glycemic, non-GMO ingredient sources, “The official protein bar of Spartan Race”. Chocolate: 68 grams, 270 calories, 20 grams protein, 200 mg sodium, 21 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. A chocolate-covered narrower rectangle of some thickness. Interior is multi-layered; top layer is the color of dark nut butter (though the bar contains no nuts), while bottom layer is chocolatey-looking crispy bits. Great texture, both chewy and crunchy. Some chocolate flavor fades to a quick-to-disappear bitterness. Crunchy Peanut Butter: 68 grams, 280 calories, 20 grams protein, 360 mg sodium, 22 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. Looks like a candy bar covered in a light peanut butter colored coating. Multi-layer interior; bottom looks like a cereal bar, top layer looks like peanut butter nougat. Nicely chewy, with a light-textured crunch from the bottom layer. Much too sweet, fading to a soy taste. No peanut butter flavor. Vanilla Almond: 68 grams, 270 calories, 20 grams protein, 220 mg sodium, 22 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. A taller, narrower rectangle; looks like a yogurt-glaze-coated candy bar. Multi-layer interior, with a crunchy bottom and a top layer resembling nougat. Nice blend of crunchy and chewy textures. Flavor is much too sweet before becoming bitter. Awful.

Clif Whey Protein Bars, www.clifbars.com. Certified kosher (dairy), Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa. Claims: low glycemic, non-GMO ingredient sources. Coconut Almond Chocolate: 56 grams, 260 calories, 14 grams protein, 170 mg sodium, 5 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Looks like a narrow Rice Krispies ® bar with coconut sprinkled on top and a bottom dipped in milk chocolate. Coconut and almond tastes, as well as a little salt. Light, crispy texture. OK. Peanut Butter & Chocolate: 56 grams, 260 calories, 14 grams protein, 160 mg sodium, 5 grams sugars, 4 grams fiber. A longer narrow rectangle with a chocolate dipped bottom, a middle layer of crunchy bits, and an exterior covered in peanuts. Light, crispy texture. A little peanut butter flavor and a minimal chocolate “hit”, but not that much flavor overall.

Core Foods, www.corefoods.com. Very limited room temperature shelf-life; can be refrigerated or frozen. All bars tasted weigh in at 85 grams. Core Meal: Certified organic, gluten-free, and kosher (dairy). Almond Raisin: 350 calories, 12 grams protein, 5 mg sodium, 13 grams sugars, 9 grams fiber. Broader rectangle, dark colored. With visible oats and raisins. Good chewy texture but rather dry. I taste oats, raisins, and a cinnamon presence that's a bit strong. Cashew Cacao: 370 calories, 12 grams protein, 10 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 8 grams fiber. A broad rectangle of some thickness, with oats and chocolate chunks visible. Terrific chewy texture. The chocolate is unsweetened but not too bitter when combined with the other ingredients. I taste oats, raisins, and the bitterness of chocolate. No cashew presence but good nonetheless. Sunflower Carob: 350 calories, 10 grams protein, 25 mg sodium, 14 grams sugars, 9 grams fiber. Chocolate colored, broader rectangle, studded with oats and pieces of sunflower seed. Great chewiness! Drier and a bit crumbly, more so than others in this line. I taste raisins, cinnamon, oats, and some sunflower. Just OK. Walnut Banana: 360 calories, 11 grams protein, 5 mg sodium, 9 grams sugars, 7 grams fiber. A darker colored, broad rectangle filled with oats. Beautiful oaty texture. Chunks of walnut provide textural contrast. I taste oats and raisins. Just a little banana flavor, and I'd like more of that. Core Meal + Whey: Almond Raisin + Whey: 310 calories, 17 grams protein, 20 mg sodium, 13 grams sugars, 6 grams fiber. Broad rectangle, dark colored, with oats and raisins visible. Great chewy texture. Bar is a trifle sticky. Tastes like oats and raisins with just a hint of cinnamon. More almond texture/taste would be welcome. Good. Cashew Cacao + Whey: 350 calories, 19 grams protein, 25 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 12 grams fiber. Dark cocoa colored, broader rectangle, studded with oats. Excellent texture from oats and the occasional chocolate chunk. If you love unsweetened chocolate, this is your bar, but the unsweetened chocolate flavor was a little too intense for me. Walnut Banana + Whey: As with others from this manufacturer, a broader rectangle with lots of oats. Slightly sticky exterior. Great chewy texture, with chunks of walnuts adding some crunch. Noticeable raisin presence, very good banana flavor. A favorite.

Dale's Raw Foods Protein Bars, www.dalesrawfoods.com. Claims: non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, soy and dairy free, “the best protein bars on the planet”. Chocolate Peanut Butter: 60 grams, 256 calories, 22 grams protein, 85 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 7 grams fiber. A short, chunky, medium-brown rectangle. Slightly dry, almost cake-like texture. Some peanut butter flavor, definite date taste, moderate coconut presence. No hint of chocolate. Another flavor in there that I don't like, which might be the hemp protein. Cookie Dough: 60 grams, 242 calories, 22 grams protein, 100 mg sodium, 5 grams sugars, 8 grams fiber. Short, wide rectangle. Tastes something like cookie dough at first, but that quickly turns into date, coconut, and probably hemp flavors. Somewhat mealy texture. Not for me. Lemon Meringue Pie: 60 grams, 250 calories, 22 grams protein, 100 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 7 grams fiber. Another short, fat rectangle. Dry, cakey texture with bits of chewiness from what I think is date paste. Some lemon flavor, especially after chewing for a bit. OK.

Detour Bar, www.detourbar.com. Simple Whey Protein Bar: Claims: gluten-free, non-GMO. Caramel Peanut: 30 grams, 120 calories, 10 grams protein, 2 grams sugars, 130 mg sodium, 3 grams fiber. Smaller, chocolate covered rectangle; another candy bar lookalike. Interior resembles peanut butter nougat. Some peanut flavor with a bit of crunch from the occasional peanut piece. Too sweet. Salted Caramel Cookie Dough: 30 grams, 110 calories, 10 grams protein, 110 mg sodium, 4 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Another small, chocolate covered, candy bar lookalike. Interior resembles chocolate chip cookie dough with a thin layer of caramel on top. A little chewy, just a bit of crunch. Tastes of salt and caramel, but too sweet. Smart Gluten Free Oatmeal Bar: Claims: gluten free, non GMO, organic rolled oats. Coconut Almond: 38 grams, 150 calories, 10 grams protein, 75 mg sodium, 3 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Broad, flat, small rectangle. Oats and bits of almond plainly visible, as is the whey protein drizzle. Nice chewy texture from oats and coconut, but somewhat dry. Too sweet. Cookie Dough: 38 grams, 150 calories, 10 grams protein, 75 mg sodium, 4 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Looks like an oatmeal cookie bar with chocolate chips. Very chewy. Fake tasting and too sweet; awful.

Dr. Mercola Premiun Nutrition Pure Power Protein Bar, http://shop.mercola.com/product/1172/pure-power-peanut-butter-protein-bars-12-bars-per-box-1-box. Certified organic. Claims: gluten-free, vegan. With Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chips: 50 grams, 220 calories, 14 grams protein, 0 mg sodium, 10 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Narrower, medium brown rectangle, thicker than many, studded with chocolate chips. Quite chewy at first but melts rapidly in the mouth. Initial slight peanut butter tastes changes quickly to something awful, probably the protein blend.

Dymatize Elite Protein Bar, http://www.dymatize.com/elite-protein-bar.html. Claims: gluten-free, 0 g trans fat. Coconut Creme: Claims: 4.9 grams BCAAs. 70 grams, 280 calories, 25 grams, 270 mg, 7 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Rectangle with a “white coating”. Interior is almond butter colored, wrapped in a slightly darker layer and then that white coating. Nice chewiness, with a bit of coconut texture, but too sweet and flavor becomes unpleasant as you chew. Peanut Butter: Claims: 4 g BCAAs. 70 grams, 270 calories, 25 grams protein, 280 mg sodium, 8 grams sugars, 6 grams fiber. Looks like a peanut butter glazed candy bar. Somewhat chewy texture. No peanut butter flavor but an odd bitter taste.

Emerald Essentials Action Whey Premium Grass-Fed Whey Bar, www.emeraldessentials.com. Peanut Butter Delight: 60 grams, 190 calories, 20 grams protein, 75 mg sodium, 3 grams sugars, 20 grams fiber. Sticks to wrapper. Peanut butter colored, thin rectangle with a few pieces of peanut on its exterior. Very chewy initially, with some peanut butter flavor fading to a not pleasant whey taste.

EMPACT Protein and Energy Bars, http://empactbars.com/. Certified kosher (dairy). Claims: 100% gluten-free, Paleo friendly, non-GMO, no artificial sweeteners. Chocolate Cherry Bling: 36 grams, 140 calories, 10 grams protein, 15 mg sodium, 10 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Smaller, broader rectangle; resembles a dry brownie with white chia seeds and pieces of dried cherry. A little difficult to bite into, but softens rapidly in the mouth. Nice chewiness (especially from the cherries), with a little crunch from chia seeds. I'd like more chocolate flavor, but good overall. Coconut Crave: 36 grams, 150 calories, 10 grams protein, 15 mg sodium, 9 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. Smaller, broader, medium-brown rectangle with visible white chia seeds and coconut shreds. Somewhat difficult to bite into; softens quickly in the mouth. Lovely chewy, coconutty texture with some crunch from chia seeds. Coconut is dominant taste, followed by dates. A favorite. Maple-licious: 36 grams, 150 calories, 10 grams protein, 15 mg sodium, 10 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. Smaller, dark brown rectangle; white chia seeds and pecan pieces clearly visible. Slightly oily exterior. Nice chewiness, with a little crunch from chia seeds. I taste dates and maple. Good.

EPIC BAR, https://epicbar.com/. Certified gluten-free. Beef, Apple + Uncured Bacon: Claim: “100% grass fed beef used”. 43 grams, 140 calories, 11 grams protein, 290 mg sodium, 2 grams sugars, 0 grams fiber. Exterior of bar slightly greasy. Softer texture than expected. Beef and salt, with an aftertaste of apples. Just OK. Chicken Sesame BBQ Seasoned: Claim: “100% natural chicken used”. 43 grams, 120 calories, 15 grams protein, 290 mg sodium, 3 grams sugars, 0 grams fiber. Very dry texture. Seasoning is not especially pleasant. Turkey Almond Cranberry: Claim” “100% natural turkey used”. 43 grams, 130 calories, 11 grams protein, 190 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. Thick rectangle. Some turkey flavor, somewhat salty (not unpleasantly so), occasional crunch from a bit of almond with a now-and-then pop of cranberry flavor. Quite dry.

Ever Bar, www.livityfoods.com. Claims: no dairy, no GMOs, no soy, no gluten, “the power of raw hemp”. Almond Cranberry: 60 grams, 240 calories, 12 grams protein, 80 mg sodium, 10 grams sugars, 6 grams fiber. Looks like an old school granola bar, with cranberries, bits of almond, sunflower seeds, bit of hemp, and a clear glaze, all in a broader rectangle. A little tough to bite into but softens quickly in the mouth. Nice degree of chewiness. Enjoyable bursts of dried cranberry. Sunflower seed presence is too strong and there were a few bursts of saltiness. Cinnamon Ginger: 60 grams, 240 calories, 12 grams protein, 40 mg sodium, 11 grams sugars, 6 grams fiber. A broader, flattish rectangle that resembles an old-school granola bar (nuts and seeds visible). Somewhat tough to bite into but softens quickly in the mouth. Some chewiness, some crunch. Strong ginger presence, too much cinnamon and sesame.

Exo Protein Bars, https://exoprotein.com/. Claims: all natural, gluten-free, no soy, grain-free, no dairy, Paleo, complete, sustainable. Apple Cinnamon: 60 grams, 290 calories, 10 grams protein, 40 mg sodium, 16 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Appearance is that of a cake-like brownie; exterior very slightly oily. Nice soft chewiness, with a little texture from almonds and coconut. I taste apple, a touch of cinnamon, and plums---great flavor balance! A favorite. Banana Bread: 60 grams, 280 calories, 10 grams protein, 25 mg sodium, 14 grams sugars, 6 grams fiber. Oily surface. Looks like a rectangular brownie with nuts. Fine chewy texture. Nice banana flavor---not overpowering. Spices used judiciously, and nice dried plum flavor, too. Good. Blueberry Vanilla: 60 grams, 260 calories, 10 grams protein, 35 mg sodium, 14 grams sugars, 6 grams fiber. Slightly oily exterior. Dark colored, broader, flatter rectangle studded with nuts. Some chewiness, a trifle of crunch from the nuts. An occasional dried blueberry is nice but the flavor of apple juice concentrate is overpowering. Cocoa Nut: 60 grams, 300 calories, 10 grams protein, 45 mg sodium, 13 grams sugars, 7 grams fiber. Looks like a thin brownie with nuts. Exterior is slightly oily. Nice chewiness---not too much---with crunch from almonds and cacao nibs and more texture from coconut. No real cocoa or chocolate flavor.

Garden of Life fucoProtein High Protein Bars, www.gardenoflife.com/content/product/fucoprotein-high-protein-thermogenic-bars/. Claims: Contains fucoxanthin, burns fat naturally, supports a healthy metabolism, made of 70% organic ingredients, gluten free, contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Chocolate with Macadamia Nuts: 55 grams, 210 calories, 14 grams protein, 120 mg sodium, 11 grams sugars, 7 grams fiber. Another dry brownie lookalike. Dry, granular texture. A smidgen of chocolate flavored is overpowered by an awful taste. Peanut Butter Crunch: 55 grams, 230 calories, 15 grams protein, 85 mg sodium, 9 grams sugars, 9 grams fiber. Medium brown rectangle studded with peanuts and what look like chia seeds, but chia seeds are not a listed ingredient. A bit difficult to bite into but softens quickly in mouth. Peanuts provide a nice textural contrast to the rest of the bar. Initial peanut butter flavor fades quickly into something unpleasant.

Gatorade Recovery Whey Protein Bar, www.gatorade.com. Claim: partially produced with genetic engineering. Chocolate Caramel: 80 grams, 340 calories, 20 grams protein, 190 mg sodium, 29 grams sugars, <1 gram fiber. Large, narrow, tall, chocolate covered rectangle that looks like a candy bar. Interior looks like protein crisps with a thin top layer of caramel. A great blend of textures, with crispiness from the protein and slight chewiness from the caramel. Horribly sweet. Chocolate Chip: 80 grams, 360 calories, 20 grams protein, 160 mg sodium, 29 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. Long, narrower, thick rectangle. Chocolate covered; looks like a candy bar. Interior filled with light crispy bits, which provide a similarly light, crispy texture. Some chocolate flavor but much too sweet. Cookies and Creme: “Artificially flavored, partially produced with genetic engineering”. 80 grams, 360 calories, 20 grams protein, 160 mg sodium, 31 grams sugars, <1 gram fiber. Again, a large, narrower, tall rectangle, chocolate covered, that looks like a candy bar. Multi-layered interior---bottom has light-textured crispy bits, top layer looks like crème filling in a sandwich cookie. Pleasantly crunchy, much too sweet.

Genuine Health Fermented Vegan Proteins + Bar, http://www.genuinehealth.com/us/?ct=2. Claims: 100% vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, digestive support. Dark Chocolate Almond: Longer, narrower, taller rectangle; looks like a dry brownie studded with nuts. Dry. Some texture from almonds as well as light crispy bits. Some chocolate flavor, with a bitter aftertaste. Double Chocolate Chip: 55 grams, 210 calories, 15 grams protein, 150 mg sodium, 9 grams sugars, 10 grams fiber. Narrower, taller rectangle that resembles a dry brownie studded with chocolate chips and light-textured protein crisps. Dry texture with some light crispiness. Some chocolate flavor, but there's a vegetable presence, as well. Lemon Coconut: 55 grams, 210 calories, 14 grams protein, 120 mg sodium, 10 grams sugars, 10 grams fiber. Narrow, tall rectangle the color of almond butter; top is sprinkled with coconut shreds. Bar is studded with more coconut and light-textured crispy bits. Nice level of lemon flavor; you know it's there, but it's not excessive. Nice chewiness, with a bit of crispness. A hint of vegetal taste at the very end. Good. Peanut Butter Chocolate: 55 grams, 220 calories, 15 grams protein, 240 mg sodium, 9 grams sugars, 7 grams fiber. Narrow, tall rectangle that resembles a peanut butter cereal bar studded with miniature chocolate chips and chia seeds. Peanut butter aroma. Light-texture protein bits provide pleasant crispness. Initial moderate peanut butter taste quickly turns vegetal.

Go Macro, https://gomacro.com/. Certified organic, gluten-free, vegan, Sustainable Food Trade Association, kosher (pareve). Non-GMO Project verified. Claims: soy-free. Protein Paradise (cashew caramel): 60 grams, 260 calories, 11 grams protein, 35 mg sodium, 10 grams sugars, 1 g fiber. Slightly oily exterior; pieces of cashew visible in this medium-brown rectangle. Nice chewiness, though cashews provide no textural contrast. A little caramel flavor. Protein Pleasure (peanut butter chocolate chip): 69 grams, 290 calories, 11 grams protein, 40 mg sodium, 14 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. Slightly oily exterior; looks like a peanut butter chocolate chip rectangular cookie. Good chewy texture with a bit of contrast from the chocolate chips. Slight peanut butter taste, a bit sweet, but not all that much flavor, period. Protein Purity (sunflower butter + chocolate): 65 grams, 260 calories, 10 grams protein, 80 mg sodium, 9 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Thick, dark brown rectangle; slightly oily exterior. Slight crunch in a pleasantly chewy bar—very good textural contrast. A hint of chocolate flavor, but that's overwhelmed by the strong taste of sunflower seed butter.

Good! Greens, www.goodgreens.com. Claims: probiotics, gluten-free, vegan, “100% of your daily fruits and vegetables based upon the ORAC equivalent to the antioxidants found in the USDA recommendation of 5 daily servings.” Blueberry Bliss Yogurt: 50 grams, 190 calories, 10 grams protein, 71 mg sodium, 14 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Yogurt glaze covered rectangle. Very strong blueberry flavor changes quickly to an equally strong, unpleasant taste. Awful. Chocolate Peanut Butter: 50 grams, 197 calories, 10 grams protein, 77 mg sodium, 14 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Chocolate-covered rectangle with a brownie-looking interior. Softer texture than many. Deeply vegetal flavor overpowers everything else. Awful.

Greens+ plusbar Protein, www.greensplus.com. Claims: Gluten-free, non-GMO, cold processed, alkaline forming. Whey Krisp: 50 grams, 200 calories, 15 grams protein, 150 mg sodium, 6 grams sugar, 4 grams fiber. Looks like green covered crispy bits. Texture is pleasantly chewy with some crispness, but dry. Tastes like dried greens—awful.

Honey Stinger Protein Bar, www.honeystinger.com. Certified kosher (dairy). Claims: made with 25% honey, whey protein, made with gluten free ingredients. Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Pro: 42 grams, 190 calories, 10 grams protein, 27 mg sodium, 15 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. Dark chocolate covered, looks like a narrower candy bar. Interior is nougat colored. Lovely chewy texture with good coconut presence. Decent “hit” of chocolate flavor, but too sweet. Milk Chocolate Peanut Butta Pro: 42 grams, 190 calories, 10 grams protein, 83 mg sodium, 17 grams sugars, 1 gram fiber. Looks like a chocolate covered peanut butter bar, appropriately enough. Very chewy but melts quickly in the mouth. A brief “hit” of chocolate, some peanut butter taste, but the honey is overwhelming here. Too sweet.

INBar, http://inbalancehealthcorp.com. Certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher. Claims: Gluten and allergen-free, 100% vegan, 100% GMO-free, “The Diabetic's Choice”, high fiber, high protein, low sugar, low sodium, no artificial sweeteners, low net carbs, low calories, no chemicals, no preservatives. Chocolate Fudge: 56 grams, 173 calories, 11 grams protein, 30 mg sodium, 7 grams sugars, 10 grams fiber. Medium-sized, chocolate brown rectangle. Nice texture—a light chewiness with crispy bits. Some chocolate flavor, but too sweet. Chocolate Mint: 56 grams, 173 calories, 11 grams protein, 30 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 10 grams fiber. Strong mint aroma when opened. Dry and crumbly. Pleasant chewy texture with light, crispy bits, but the mint flavor almost flattened me. Only the barest hint of chocolate. Like eating chewy toothpaste. Cinnamon Swirl: 56 grams, 173 calories, 10 grams protein, 30 mg sodium, 7 grams sugars, 10 grams fiber. Distinctive aroma when package is opened; there's some cinnamon but there's something else not as appealing is there, too. Somewhat dry, almost cake-like texture with a cinnamon flavor so potent it steamrolls over everything else. Awful.

Juti Organics Whole Food Energy Bar, www.jutibar.com. Very limited room temperature shelf-life; can be refrigerated or frozen. Certified organic and gluten-free, Rainforest Alliance cocoa. Non-GMO Project verified. Claims: no preservatives, raw, no artificial ingredients, low glycemic. Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk: 65 grams210 calories, 11 grams protein, 15 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Short, taller rectangle. Dark colored; studded with chocolate chunks. Pleasant cinnamon aroma. Lovely soft texture, with an occasional chocolate chunk and a bit of crunch from chia seeds. Some cinnamon taste.

Keep Healthy Protein Bar, https://keephealthyinc.com. Certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, and kosher. Claims: “Absolutely no preservatives, no agave and no stevia.” Apple Cinnamon Crisp: 65 grams, 230 calories, 15 grams protein, 40 mg sodium, 10 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Darker brown rectangle of medium size. Pleasant aroma of apple when package is opened. Dry and crumbly. A little chewy, a bit of crispness, almost a granular texture as you chew. I can taste the dried apples, which are very good, but the cinnamon presence is too strong. Chocolate Cherry Crunch: 65 grams, 253 calories, 15 grams protein, 43 mg sodium, 9.75 grams sugars, 7 grams fiber. A tall, dark chocolate colored rectangle. Dry, crumbly, slight chocolate taste, a little cherry taste, but an overwhelming unpleasant flavor. Awful. Chocolate Coconut: 65 grams, 253 calories, 15 grams protein, 41 mg sodium, 9.75 grams sugars, 6 grams fiber. Looks like a dry brownie bar with coconut. Dry and crumble, with a bit of chewiness from the coconut. Little flavor. Chocolate Fudge: 65 grams, 249 calories, 15 grams protein, 39.5 mg sodium, 9.75 grams sugars, 6 grams fiber. Thicker rectangle that resembles a dry brownie studded with nuts. Dry, almost cakey texture. Just a trifle of chocolate and walnut tastes, more of an unpleasant taste I can't identify (possibly sunflower butter and/or pea protein).

KIND Strong & Kind Almond Protein Bars, www.kindsnacks.com. Certified kosher. Claims: low sodium, no MSG, non-GMO, gluten-free, low glycemic, no whey, no soy. All of these bars looked like a mix of almonds, pumpkin seeds, and protein crisps held together with a cooked syrup. Hickory Smoked: 45 grams, 230 calories, 10 grams protein, 125 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Crisp and crunchy, with some chewiness. Nice smoky aroma. Slightly difficult to bite into but great texture, both chewy and crunchy. Very enjoyable flavor combination---almonds, garlic, and onions. A favorite. Honey Mustard: 45 grams, 230 calories, 10 grams protein, 115 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Spice aroma. Difficult to bite into. Nice texture, both chewy and crunchy. I taste mustard, salt, sweet, and a hint of chili at the back. Good. Honey Smoked BBQ: 45 grams, 230 calories, 10 grams protein, 120 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Same crisp and crunchy texture with some chewiness—very nice. Good sweet-spicy barbecue flavor.

Koog Real Food Protein Bar, http://koogbar.com/. Claims: real food protein bar, soy-free, gluten-free, no artificial sweeteners, no refined sugars, no preservatives. Apple Fig: (vegan), 57 grams, 260 calories, 13 grams protein, 200 mg sodium, 15 grams sugars, 4 grams fiber. Exterior slightly oily. Broader, flatter rectangle with finely chopped nuts atop. The pleasant scent of apples greets you when you open the wrapper. Less dry/crumbly than other varieties from this brand. Strong flavor of apple, nice fig presence. Some flavor of sunflower and hemp; good overall. Blueberry Sunflower Agave: 56.7 grams, 280 calories, 13 grams protein, 230 mg sodium, 13 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Oily bottom and sides. Dark-colored bar with dried blueberries; chopped nuts and sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Softer texture than most. Initial flavor of sesame seeds changes to a blueberry taste; there's a brief flavor of nut butter before you taste blueberry again. Good. Chocolate: 56.7 grams, 270 calories, 14 grams protein, 150 mg sodium, 14 grams sugars, 4 grams fiber. Oily exterior. Resembles a dry brownie topped with sesame seeds and chopped almonds. Dry (but not crumbly); melts in your mouth. A little chocolate flavor, but it's overwhelmed by the tastes of dates, flax, hemp, and sesame seeds. Honey Almond: 57 grams, 270 calories, 14 grams protein, 140 mg sodium, 14 grams sugars, 4 grams fiber. Finely chopped nuts sprinkled on a somewhat broader, flatter rectangle. Bottom of bar somewhat oily. Less chewy than some but a pleasant texture, not too hard or too soft. I taste some salt, almond butter, dates, and honey. A little too sweet, otherwise good. Mocha: 57 grams, 270 calories, 14 grams protein, 140 mg sodium, 15 grams sugars, 4 grams fiber. Coffee colored rectangle with chopped almonds atop. Oily exterior. A bit of coffee flavor and a little nut butter taste, as well as some date flavor, but it's all overwhelmed by strong hemp and flax tastes.

Krave Bar, www.kravejerky.com. Certified gluten-free. Claims: all natural, no nitrites. Cranberry Thyme Turkey: 35 grams, 110 calories, 10 grams protein, 290 mg sodium, 6 grams sugars, 0 grams fiber. Smaller rectangle. Dry texture, though nicely chewy. I taste turkey, cranberry, thyme, citrus, and a little heat around the back edges of my tongue. Nice flavor.

Lenny & Larry's, www.lennylarry.com. Claims: Fresh baked, baked nutrition, 35% less sugar than a regular brownie, 0 g sugar alcohols. The Muscle Brownie (Cookies & Cream and Peanut Butter). Identical statistics, with both brownies weighing in at 65 grams. Both have 20 grams protein, 650 mg sodium, 9 grams sugars, and 5 grams fiber. Both Muscle Brownies look like a cross between a brownie and a chocolate cookie; each has a drizzle of appropriately-colored icing on top. The Peanut Butter is very tough to bite into and initially difficult to chew, but that eases quickly. It had some chocolate and some peanut butter flavor, but was much too dry. The Cookies & Creme had a dry, cake-like texture; an early note of chocolate taste faded to something unpleasant. You don't taste the sodium in either brownie.

Luna High Protein Bar, www.clifbar.com. Certified kosher (dairy), Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa. Claims: gluten-free, low glycemic, “We do not source genetically modified ingredients”. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: 45 grams, 170 calories, 12 grams protein, 260 mg sodium, 14 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Another dark chocolate covered candy bar lookalike, with what appears to be a cookie dough interior. Lovely chewiness. Sweet flavor fades to a bitter, unpleasant soy protein isolate flavor. Chocolate Coconut Almond: 45 grams, 180 calories, 12 grams protein, 140 mg sodium, 13 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Dense light tan interior with chocolate drizzle on top. A little hint of chocolate, nice coconut texture, but a slight bitterness to the taste before a brief “hit” of coconut flavor at the end. Chocolate Peanut Butter: 45 grams, 190 calories, 12 grams protein, 250 mg sodium, 13 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. Chocolate covered narrower, taller, rectangle; looks like a candy bar with a peanut butter interior. Pleasantly chewy texture. Small “hit” of chocolate, slight peanut butter taste, but the soy protein flavors steamrolls over everything.

MariGold Bars, www.marigoldbars.com. Very limited room temperature shelf-life; can be refrigerated or frozen. Claims: non-GMO, grain-free, lactose & casein free, grass fed whey isolate, no artificial anything. Chocolate Squared: 69 grams, 285 calories, 22 grams protein, 20 mg sodium, 4 grams sugars, 3 grams fiber. A rather flat, broad, dark chocolate colored rectangle. Very much a chocolate taste, but rather bitter, as the chocolate is unsweetened. Nicely chewy, with a crunch from walnuts. Not quite sweet enough for me, but good overall. Oatmeal Cookie: 66 grams, 235 calories, 21 grams protein, 154 mg sodium, 4 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber. Broad, rather flat rectangle. A chewy, oaty texture I like very much. Cinnamon flavor with bits of dried cranberries providing a pop of tart sweetness, but the flavor changes to an odd taste. Pure Joy: 67 grams, 275 calories, 21 grams protein, 20 mg sodium, 4 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. Another broad, rather flat rectangle that looks like a coconut bar speckled with chocolate. Chewy, with a lovely coconut texture. The chocolate is unsweetened, but the rest of the bar is just sweet enough, and the chocolate “hits” you get are small enough, that it's not an issue. Seems more flavorful than The Primal. A favorite. The Primal: 64 grams, 239 calories, 20 grams protein, 51 mg sodium, 2 grams sugars, 5 grams fiber. A broad rectangle, heavy for its size; looks like a coconut bar speckled with chocolate. Pleasantly chewy (definite coconut texture), with a little bit of a chocolate “hit” from time to time. The chocolate is unsweetened, but the “hits” you get are small enough, and the rest of the bar just sweet enough, that it's not an issue. Good.

Stephanie (HandOverTheChocolate@comcast.net) has had a strong affinity for chocolate from a very early age. Family members claim that, as a child, she was able to hear chocolate being opened in the kitchen no matter where she was in the house. Stephanie was baking by the time she was 6 and ran a short-lived baking business out of her parents’ kitchen when she was in high school. She has a Master’s Degree in Foods from Virginia Tech but no formal training in cooking or baking. Consequently, she is a home cook, not a chef. Prior to beginning this column, she had written about chocolate for some 8 years.