I’m a lover of all things chocolate: cookies and brownies especially (just ask my wife why I like to eat at Subway–those sandwiches ain’t really that tasty). For me to find a nutrition bar that tastes this good and is made with all natural and organic ingredients is a mega plus. Because why not enjoy eating something healthier, right?
The folks at Picky Bars sent us a box of their latest flavor to test, and we agree that it’s good to be Picky. “Ah, Fudge Nuts!” is a Cacao-Abunga Brownie . . . YUM. Made with organic agave, dates, rice cereal, peanuts, cacao powder with some sea salt, chocolate chips and rice protein sprinkled in, the result is a chocolate brownie bar full of flavor that made my sweet tooth forget all about chocolate chip cookies.
After trying it both pre-ride and on the bike, I’m extremely pleased with the results. Nice energy boost, filling without feeling heavy, great texture with the right mix of crispy, crunchy and creamy. And no upset stomach. With 200 calories per bar, and a 4carb:1protein ratio it’s great for a workout or a snack. We gave a couple of bars to some family members who suffer from gluten and dairy allergies, and they were happy to have something sweet and tasty to add into their limited food options. This particular Picky Bar is Gluten, Dairy and Soy-free. With a blend of nuts and seeds and not a single artificial thing in it, “Ah, Fudge Nuts” appeals to my healthy side at the same time as my sweet side (OK, maybe I mostly have a sweet side). In a compact and easy package, they’re great on the go, in a lunch box, or jersey pocket.
Based in Bend Oregon, Picky bars set out to solve a nutrition problem for triathlete Jesse Thomas–now 5 time winner of our local Wildflower Triathlon. Jesse wanted a bar that was easy to digest, made of real food and was also great to eat before, during and after workouts. Lauren, Jesse’s better half and a USA and NCAA champion runner, decided she would put her Stanford degrees in Science and Athletic Performance to work and solve the problem for Jesse–not to mention all the rest of us.
But perhaps more important than Lauren’s discovery that solved our nutrition problems, she also found a great addition to ice cream. In fact, we got the scoop on a top-secret (OK, well, not that secret) recipe for a fantastic combo: 10 seconds in the microwave, a scoop of vanilla and maybe even some syrup . . . you’re welcome.
Picky Bars’ Ah, Fudge Nuts!
Price: Starting at $8.99 and sold in packs of 3, 6, or 10. But join the Picky Club and get a monthly fix of bars, starting at $29.99
Upsides: Seriously tasty and easy on the stomach. You won’t get tired of these like you might with other bars. The crunchiness adds to the texture, and makes you find yourself actually craving their fudgeness.
Downsides: Not many that we found, but, if you’re the type who goes through several bars in a week, these are a bit on the pricey side.
Grab Picky Bars online at pickybars.com in sampler packs of 3, 6 or 10, or join the picky club and get monthly deliveries of 12, 18 or 24 bars in your favorite flavors. Starting at 8.99 for the small sampler bundles up to 49.99 for their picky bar club big bundle, these tasty treats are a deal that I’ll be adding to my snack drawer. Head over to pickybars.com to try some of the new “Ah, Fudge Nuts” or their other flavors; Cookie Doughpness, Smooth Caffeinator, All-in Almond, Lauren’s Mega Nuts, Blueberry Boomdizzle or Need for Seed.
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