Hmmmmmm Cardboard

[Richie]

I'm trying to find some snack bars that are both healthy and taste good. I have taken all sorts to training-because I tend to go straight from class or work and don't have time to eat. Most taste like cardboard, if they are half way not bad for you.

What would you recommend for both taste and nutrition?

[mudskipper]

I'm not sure of comparative nutrition as I focus a bit more on decent tasting since I find most very grainy and cardboard like as well, but Luna bars are pretty good. They come in pretty decent flavors as well since they are marketed towards women and not men (who lets face it might eat cardboard if you gave it to them with bbq sauce on it).

[George]

I am not really aware of what is available in the US, and the stuff sold over here isn't very good. I know that there are a bunch of companies that do meal replacement bars though-things like Special K. The cereal isn't too bad, so maybe they would be worth a try?

[purple]

I've been eating a bar called SoyJoy recently. It uses soy protein and coems in a couple flavors so you don't have to eat the same thing all the time. The strawberry is probably my favorite.

[Richie]

I am really not too keen on the idea of using a lot of soy. I don't want phytoestrogens in my body, just really not keen on the thought of what they do to man bits ;) Too many studies are unclear too.

Now fermented soy would be a different matter but I highly doubt that is what the bars contain.

[mudskipper]

I dunno, the studies I've read while trying to get my dad to eat some soy products were all pretty conclusive that if there are any effect on "man bits" they are very minimal and are more likely to inhibit prostate cancer not lower sperm count....

After looking at the SoyJoy FAQ the soy protein being non-GMO would be superior to the average non-organic animal protein and it doesn't have gluten or corn syrup either. Not too bad for a nutrition bar these days.

[purple]

Hmm, never heard of the phytoestrogen thingy. I eat them because they are portion controlled instead of those massive Powerbars that are a meal replacement not meant for just a snack. Having a non-animal protein source is nice as well.

[Richie]

It's not low sperm count that's a concern-more the issue of growing breast tissue or even of breast cancers. The soy we consume in the West is not the same form as that which is consumed in volume in Asian countries.

[mudskipper]

Breast cancer in men has always been an issue present in American soceity, although not talked about. And I'm talking red meat eating men, not tofu buger eaters, lol. And many of the "health" bars now use soy protein or soy ingredients so its harder to avoid in many avenues as soy is seen to be "the healhty" protein source. I think its kind of icky tasting myself, but such is life.

[Richie]

Yes, I agree and realise that it's always been present, but then so has lightening. And I'm not going to stand with an umbrella in the middle of a field during a strong thunder storm either ;)

I just don't see the point in knowingly increasing the risk.