Monday, March 9, 2009

Product Review: YouBar, The Best Bar


When rushing off to the gym or hopping on a plane, I always like to keep food in bar form in my bag. Unfortunately, too many of those bars are full of chemicals, high fructose corn syrup, or other bad for you ingredients. Additionally, I have had a stale bar on more than one occasion despite just buying the box! And attempting to make my own bars at home is never quite satisfying for portability purposes.

But what if there was a company that would make the bars for you? You could pick and choose top tier ingredients and then order a box of custom-made bars that are shipped directly to your door? If you are thinking that is a fabulous idea, like I did, then you will definitely want to check out YouBar!

The company allows you to design your own bars online, or order some of their most popular bars. What is really cool is that as you build your bar, you can watch the nutritional information change. This is a fantastic feature for consumers who are watching their caloric intake. I have played for hours on the web site because there are so many ingredients and variables you can manipulate.

If the idea of making your own bar is overwhelming, you can also get a variety box of random bars that other people ordered. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be reviewing some of YouBars most popular bars, as well as some that were in the random box and some YouShakes as well. But since there was one called The Best Bar, I had to try it first!

The Best Bar was soft upon first bite, with the complex flavor combination hitting all at once. The nuttiness of the cashews, almonds and flax seed were complimented by the sweetness of the goji berries and agave nectar. The texture was soft but crisp with bits of crisp organic brown rice folded into the bar. I am a big fan of bars, and this is one of the freshest and most flavorful bars I have ever tasted. The ingredients are almost all labeled as organic and I recognized every ingredient on the label. How often can you say that?!

The bar was 45g, the medium option for ordering, but was large enough to be a mini-meal. When you order your own custom bars, this size goes for $2.99 a bar and in the random box it would be $2.49. For some of the smaller, processed bars this may seem a bit pricey. However, for this quality, it is definitely worth it! I would recommend that you start by ordering a variety box if you are of the daring variety and are willing to get anything! This will also give you ideas for your own bars if you aren't feeling creative today.

Ingredients: Cashew Butter (Cashews, Safflower Oil), Organic Dates, Organic Agave Nectar, Whey Protein Isolate, Almonds, Organic Cashews, Goji Berries, Organic Granola (Organic Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Organic Crisp Brown Rice Organic Whole Rolled Spelt Flakes, Organic Whole Rolled Barley Flakes, Apples, Pear Juice Concentrate, Organic Oat Bran, Vanilla Extract, Soy Milk Powder), Organic Flaxseeds, Organic Oat Bran, Fiber Infusion (Blonde Psyllium Seed Husks)

Nutritional Information: 186 calories, 8 grams fat, 3 grams fiber, 10 grams protein

Keep your eyes peeled to Uncovering Food over the next couple weeks for more reviews about the YouBar products. Additionally, I want two readers to have an opportunity to try out a YouBar for free! There are three ways you can earn entries:

1. Leave a comment on this entry about what your favorite bar combination would look like.

2. Link back this contest in your blog. Please let me know you have done this!

3. Make a recipe in this blog and review it! Let me know what you think by sending me a link to the review.

This drawing will close on Monday, March 23.


Here are the bars up for grabs!

11 comments:

hsullivan66 said...

so many choices...

My pick:
- organic date base
- whey protein (since I need more protein in my diet)
- walnuts (shaped like brains = good for your brain)
- cranberries & apricots (just good eats)
- agave nectar (light)
- no extra seasoning
- granola (I like a little crunch)

Mo Diva said...

Duuuude! Chocolate! yum! I just posted a recipe with tuna fish...i follow you already and um i am linking you now!

Mom on the Run said...

Anything Chocolate and Coconut! Great Giveaway CG!

I am liking now!

Ellen said...

any one with prunes and chocolate chips! yum.

Zara said...

OMG, I could spend an hour designing different bars! Mine has 176 calories - 3 points. That is just right for a bar!

Base:
* Organic Dates (Fat-free)
* YouBar Base **Recommended
Protein Powders:
* Whey (Milk) Protein
Nuts/Seeds:
* Organic Flaxseeds
Fruits/Berries:
* Organic Black Mission Figs
* Organic Shredded Coconut
Sweeteners:
* Organic Brown Rice Syrup
Seasonings:
* Natural Unsweetened Cocoa
* Organic Cacao Nibs
Grains:
* Organic Galaxy Granola
* Organic Oat Bran
InFUsions:
* All-One Vitamin Infusion

Missy said...

My Bar would include:

Almond Butter Base
Organic Dates Base
Whey Milk Protein
Organic Flaxseeds
Organic Cashews
Organic Black Mission Figs

Keegan said...

* Almond Butter Base
* Soy Protein
* Organic Flaxseeds
* Organic Dried Apple
* Cinnamon
* Organic Ginger
* Organic Oat Bran

Anonymous said...

definitely with cashews and soy protein and almonds and flax and dried apricots. mmmmm! great giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Base- Organic Dates & Soynut Butter

Nuts- Almonds & Flaxseeds

Dried Fruits- Shredded Coconut

Sweeteners- Honey

Seasonings-Chocolate Chips

goodie said...

Mine would have almond butter and date base, cashews, dried cherries, and choc chips!

Unknown said...

I really love the idea of these! Here is my mix:
Base:

* YouBar Base **Recommended

Protein Powders:

* Whey (Milk) Protein

Nuts/Seeds:

* Organic Flaxseeds

Fruits/Berries:

* Goji Berries
* Organic Sweetened Cherries (w/Sunflower Oil)

Sweeteners:

* Organic Clover Honey

Seasonings:

Grains:

* Organic Oat Bran

Disclaimer:

I get asked by readers if I am being paid to push products. The simple answer is no. In fact, most of the products I write about are ones I have found and purchased during my trips to the grocery store or on the road. Occasionally, a company will send a sample my way and if I believe the product will serve a need for my readers and I would buy the product myself, then I will share it with you. Sometimes I will write to a company after reading about it, if I believe it will help us lead healthier lifestyles. But even then, if the product doesn't pass my scrutiny, it won't make the screen of Uncovering Food. You can trust that every product or recipe posted here has passed through my lips, and that I wouldn't blog about it if it wasn't worthy of you... my favorite readers.