Looking for Mr Good bar

Travelers are often using energy bars for convenience and portability but bar contents widely vary so choosing a type depends on what you expect from your bar:

Energy Bars as snacks : If not actively exercising avoid high-calorie bars. Instead choose one between 150-250 calories. Consider eating half a bar, to keep your caloric intake down, because most energy bars have pretty high calories.

As meal replacements : Select bars higher in protein, about 10-15 grams, which more closely resemble the nutrition of a meal. You don't need the super-sized protein of some bars.

This may not satisfy you as much as the larger volume of food you can eat for the same calories. Don't expect bar foods to supply high-quality nutrition.

Some bars have low-quality protein sources like collagen or gelatin, with fewer essential amino acids. High quality sources such as milk (whey or casein), egg, or soy are better.

Choose a bar that roughly adheres to the general guidelines for overall dietary balance— 45-65 % of calories from carbohydrates, 10-35% from protein, and 20-35% from fat. 3 or more grams of fibre is good since many people don't get enough fibre in their diet.

If you tend to eat energy bars in place of meals, aim for bars that are higher in protein-about 10-15 grams-like Clif Bar and Soy Sensations, which more closely resemble the nutritional profile of a meal.

Fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods can offer superior nutrition and cost less.

To sustain outdoor activities : A low- glycemic index (GI) bar may be a good choice which keeps your blood sugar stable over time and avoids the sugar high and low you get from sugary bars. A good balance of fat and fibre will lower this GI response.

Trail mix will also work as well to give you extended energy.

Most of us don't work out intensely enough to need more protein or carbohydrates than we get in our ordinary diet. Unless you work out intensely you don't need to eat energy bars for extra protein and carbohydrates.

Scrutinize ingredient labels . Look for a bar that has at least three grams of fibre and is fairly low in saturated fat and simple sugars (not easy to find) such as the Odwalla Bar or Power Bar Harvest. Also look for “real food” in the ingredients list (whole grains, dried fruits, etc.).

If you have diabetes, look for bars that are higher in protein and fat which provide better blood sugar control, as long as they are accompanied by an otherwise balanced diet, exercise and medication, if needed.

Watch out for high-fructose corn syrup and palm kernel oil as they may have excessive calories.

For vegans, Boulder Bar and Clif Bar contain no animal products.

All brands mentioned are provided only as examples.

The bottom line that unprocessed food still beats bars and is cheaper however when selected carefully bars have their place on the next expedition.

Need a dietitian? visit http://www.manitobadietitians.ca