March 3, 2011

I leave for Kenya in about a week -- going to an area where there is no electricity or running water -- and I have been obsessing about what I will be eating.  The main food staple in this poor village is ugali, which is one big glop of carb, with  little nutritional value. 

So -- I am bringing some protein powder, nuts, dried fruit and have been looking for a protein bar that is high in protein, low(ish) in calories (200 calories or below), and low in sugars and sugar alcohols (less than 6 grams).

Additionally, I am both iron and b12 anemic (was anemic before my surgery), and need some help with my calcium and potassium. 

So I created my highly OCD "protein bar spread sheet" and took 6-8 weeks to try *22* different bars.  That's commitment!  And despite my not wanting to depend on protein powder and protein bars for my nutrition, I thought it might be good to have some info and pick the best nutritionally, for me.    I know, I'm nuts.  But whatever.  I thought I'd share my nutty consumer guide with you. 

Here are the winners:

MOST PROTEIN: 
1.  PermaLean Raving Peanutz (23g)
2.  PermaLean Chocoholic Chocolate (21g)
3.  (tie)  Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter (20g)
      Pure Protein Chewy Choco Chip

LOWEST SUGAR/SUGAR ALCOHOL
1.  PermaLean Raving Peanuts (1g, 0g)
      PermaLean Chocoholic Chocolate (1g, 0g)
2.  Atkins Advantage Chocolate Chip Granola Bar (1g, 2g)

HIGHEST DIETARY FIBER
1.  Atkins Advantage Caramel Chocolate Peanut Nougat Bar (11g)
2.  Atkins Advantage Choco Chip Granola Bar (6g)

LEAST SATURATED FAT
1.  (tie) 
PermaLean Protein Chocoholic Chocolate (3g)
PermaLean Protein Raving Peanutz (3g)
Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter (3g)
Pure Protein Chewy Choco Chip (3g)

FEWEST CARBS
1.  Supreme Protein Carb Conscious Peanut Butter Crunch (13g)
2.  PermaLean Protein Raving Peanutz (14g)
3.  Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter (16g)

HIGHEST CALCIUM PERCENTAGE
1.  Atkins Advantage Choco Chip Granola Bar (55%)
2.  (tie)  Atkins Advantage Caramel Chocolate Peanut Nougat Bar (20%)
     Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter (20%)
     Pure Protein Chewy Choco Chip (20%)

HIGHEST IRON PERCENTAGE
1.  (tie)  PermaLean Protein Chocoholic Chocolate (15%)
      PermaLean Protein Raving Peanutz (15%)
      Atkins Advantage Choco Chip Granola Bar (15%)

HIGHEST B-12 PERCENTAGE
1.  (tie)   PermaLean Protein Chocoholic Chocolate (25%)
     PermaLean Protein Raving Peanutz (25%)
     Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter (25%)

HIGHEST A
1.  (tie) PermaLean Protein Chocoholic Chocolate (35%)
     PermaLean Protein Raving Peanutz (35%)
2.  Atkins Advantage Choco Chip Granola Bar (25%)
     Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter (25%)
     Pure Protein Chewy Choco Chip (25%)

HIGHEST E
1.  (tie) PermaLean Protein Chocoholic Chocolate (50%)
     PermaLean Protein Raving Peanutz (50%)
2.  (tie)  Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter (25%)
      Pure Protein Chewy Choco Chip (25%)

HIGHEST K
1.  Atkins Advantage Choco Chip Granola Bar (15)
2.  Atkins Advantage Caramel Chocolate Peanut Nougat Bar (10)

HIGHEST B1/THIAMIN
1.  Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter (25%)
2.  Pure Protein Chewy Choco Chip (20%)
3.  Atkins Advantage Choco Chip Granola Bar (15%)

HIGHEST POTASSIUM
1.  PermaLean Protein Chocoholic Chocolate (290mg)
2.  PermaLean Protein Raving Peanutz (250mg)
3.  Atkins Advantage Caramel Chocolate Peanut Nougat Bar

HIGHEST MAGNESIUM
1.  Atkins Advantage Choco Chip Granola Bar (10%)
2.  (tie) PermaLean Protein Chocoholic Chocolate (8%)
     PermaLean Protein Raving Peanutz (8%)
3.  Atkins Advantage Caramel Chocolate Peanut Nougat Bar (6%)

HIGHEST BIOTIN
1.  Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter (25%)
2.  Pure Protein Chewy Choco Chip (20%)
3.  Atkins Advantage Choco Chip Granola Bar (15%)