Larabars, Cliff Bars, etc.......Energy Bars

[surgtech1956]

I really like Larabars, but with the amount of calories/fat, I find I will eat one as a meal replacement. Should these be pre/post workout food?

[OakLeaf]

I prefer Larabars during a ride - my stomach won't tolerate them during a run, and I don't think they have enough protein to qualify as a recovery meal. By the time I get to recovery I can have real food, anyway.

[indysteel]

Most of my meals are over 200 calories--which is the approximate calorie count for the average Larabar, so I don't use them for meal replacement. I do, however, like them before or during workouts. Before only if I eally need something in addition to what I've already eaten that day and during only if the ride is long enough to warrant it. I typically just eat a regular meal after I exercise. I suppose if I couldn't, a Larabar would work instead. I'd rather have a piece of fruit though. I don't like Cliff bars by the way....They're just SO dry.

[Karma007]

As a general snack, I'm a fan of 1/2 a Clif Bar and some fruit. On the bike Clif works well too- I cut it in to bite sized pieces and munch away.

[jessmarimba]

On the bike, I'm a big fan of peanut M&Ms. If i'm out somewhere and I'm driving home afterwards - like if I take the mountain bike out to the park about an hour away - I keep a cliff bar and a soda available for the ride home. I've been driving home from a run or ride and bonked (? is it bonking if it's half an hour AFTER the exercise?) and it's not fun.

[Cataboo]

I used cliff bars for years on rides, and now I can't stand the things.

Lately I've been buying these bags of cashew clusters at costco that have little cubes of cashews, pumkin seeds, etc. to use as snacks. They're great ;)

[Catrin]

So far Cliff bars, Shot Blocs, little packs of nuts/raisins/chocolate chips/ banana/PB sandwiches occasionally all seem to work fine. Every time I venture out to other kinds of food on the bike my stomach gets upset... Hammer gels are also nice but my fingers get all sticky - and I prefer to actually chew, though I do keep one or two in my pack or seat trunk just in case.

I've tried Larabars and a couple of other brands, but just don't care for them for some reason - Cliff bars work for me, though not all of them - several are just sickeningly sweet.

[Crankin]

I used to use Clif Bars and I switched to Luna Bars, as they are a little bit smaller and therefore, less calories. They are billed as the "women's version" of Clif Bars, but it's really just marketing. My DH eats them, too. I use them before, during, and sometimes after a ride and I keep them in my briefcase for snacks on days I don't get home until later. Sometimes I even crave them, which is strange.

[Veronica]

I eat a Luna Protein as a snack most days. They are convenient and easy to take out to recess on those days I have duty. Thom eats them as well - even though they are the "women's" version.

I don't like to eat while I'm teaching, so a good sized snack between 10:00 and 10:30 is a must.

I swore off Larabars a few years ago when Thom got really sick after eating one.


Veronica

[redrhodie]

I really like Larabars, but with the amount of calories/fat, I find I will eat one as a meal replacement. Should these be pre/post workout food?

I bet it would be okay to replace a meal with one, with the addition of something else, maybe something like cottage cheese or yogurt. I need meals to be at least 400 calories. Alone, they'd be good pre or post ride, or you could cut it in half and have it for both.

[channlluv]

I've just discovered Luna Protein bars, too, and I really like the taste and serving size. It's enough to take the edge off, but not so much as to make me feel guilty for indulging between meals.

Roxy

[spokewench]

I have always used energy bars as energy bars - while I am riding so I get enough in me not to bonk; I also have used gels, etc. I used to have some preferences, but you have to realize the only energy bars early on were power bars. The other bars came on the market after that.

An exception to the while riding, or exercising, is right before I exercise, if I have not had enough to eat or there has been a long time between my meal and an exercise session; or right after my exercise session. Usually, I will only eat about a 1/2 bar then just to get me by if I cannot eat something else right away to replenish my stores.

I don't think I've ever had a Lara bar. I'll eat any exercise bar when I need one for exercising.

[MrsOski]

I used cliff bars for years on rides, and now I can't stand the things.

Lately I've been buying these bags of cashew clusters at costco that have little cubes of cashews, pumkin seeds, etc. to use as snacks. They're great ;)

those are so good, never thought to use them as ride food. thanks for the idea!

[oz rider]

Cadel bars here (actually called Winners) - I like the taste and they have fewer additives than others I've tried. But I use them on the bike, along with gels, rather than as meal replacement. I eat real food at home.

[KnottedYet]

I used to love Larabars, but I OD'd on them.

Now I'm far happier with bags of pecans and cheddar cheese, and Clif Blox.

Used to love the Clif drink mix, too, but I also OD'd on that. Now I'd rather pack water along... and eat cheese for the salt I need.

Cheese, pecans, and a can of V8 make me very happy at the end of a long ride, so I make sure to have enough along to have some at the end.

One of these days I'll OD on the cheese, pecans, and V8... and then I'll just find something else!

[Miranda]

I've tried a few diff things.

Lara bars, and Cliff shot blocks for lytes are my two mainstays on the bike.

If I drink anything other than H2O, I just wanna puke:(.

My fav Cliff shot blocks are: orange w/half shot caff, margarita w/extra sodium... meh, sometimes cherry w/full shot caff.

Lara bars also come in mini sizes for about 100calories in a multi flavor box.

[azfiddle]

I like shot blocks during rides- sometimes I will eat gels, but don't really like them, and don't keep them in the house. We have started buying them by the box when they are on sale.

Sometimes I'll bring a baggie with things like dried fruit, nuts, trail mix, pretzels, peanut-butter filled pretzels etc, but I have to be stopped somewhere for those. Same with Luna bars. A whole Cliff bar feels like too much for me, but I split one with my husband today and it was a good choice. On longer rides I have sometimes packed peanut butter or nutella, on the new "sandwich thins" and eat just a fourth at a time.

Non- cycling - I sometimes bring 1/2 Luna bar to eat as a snack before lunch, or if I know that there is a possibility that I will have to delay a meal, I will carry a whole one for emergencies. However, I have discovered that whatever I pack for lunch - I will eat it! So I try not to bring extra food "just in case). I've tried a few Larabars- they are very dense- so 1/2 at a time is enough for me.

[GR82CYCLE]

One reason I choose Larabars over the others is due to the ingredients. The ingredients of the Larabars are readable/natural. I try and find the ones with higher carbs., protein, fiber and lower in sugar. :) which makes some flavors better than others (not necessarily just based on taste). I don't eat them on a "regular" basis.

[Karma007]

One reason I choose Larabars over the others is due to the ingredients. The ingredients of the Larabars are readable/natural. I try and find the ones with higher carbs., protein, fiber and lower in sugar. :) which makes some flavors better than others (not necessarily just based on taste). I don't eat them on a "regular" basis.

The mini-sized ones and a piece of fruit are a perfect snack!

[nscrbug]

I use the mini Larabars on longer rides, because I like the fact that they are 100 calories...so no guesswork involved. I also like the fact that they're small and fit in my top tube bag easily and they hold up fairly well in the heat. They definitely are calorie dense in that you don't get much for those 100 calories (literally 1 bite), but they seem to sit well in my stomach. I sometimes will also use the mini Clif and/or Luna bars, as well...I like to switch it up to keep from getting bored with one type of bar.

[angelaslc]

I love LARABARS!! I like the simple ingredients. The Blueberry Muffin Larabars are only 190 Calories for a full bar.

I also like Shot Bloks.....95% organic is good enough for me and I prefer Strawberry flavored. I don't like any of those other gels or power bars.

For long rides I will probably try Pro-bars which are all natural and more of a meal replacement. I'm going to pack some roasted sweet potatoes like some of you suggested and see how those work for my long ride this weekend.

I only drink water while riding or exercising. Before and after I drink coconut water to replace my electrolytes.

I avoid caffiene - I need to pee enough as is. Caffiene makes you need to pee more often. Also caffiene and sugar make you lose more minerals like Magnesium which can cause cramping.

I haven't seen the mini Larabars yet....maybe I'll have to order them on-line....