More and more people are turning to healthier, more natural foods and getting smarter about good nutrition. There are so many food items on grocery store shelves that are filled with chemicals, additives, and preservatives, but many consumers are turning away from the processed junk and searching out healthier foods at mealtime and when choosing a snack.
Protein bars have risen in popularity, but many of the bars that you would assume are healthy, actually have ingredients that may, in fact, have a negative impact on your health.
So, what should you look for when shopping for a protein bar that is healthy? We did some research into NuGo Nutrition that has an entire line of snacks that are advertised as healthy and natural.
NuGo Nutrition Has A Protein Bar For That
More than ten years ago, NuGo Nutrition had a goal to create a protein bar that combined good nutrition and taste that many of the competitor’s lacked. The company believes that pure natural ingredients are not only healthier than synthetics, they also taste better. NuGo Nutrition currently has more than two-dozen varieties of NuGo bars that are especially appealing to those with certain dietary needs.
The company has a diverse line of products that are specifically formulated for people needing to meet specific requirements such as:
High Protein – Geared for athletes and others that are looking for a high protein snack without excess fat and carbohydrates.
Diabetes – Formulated for diabetics, this protein bar has a very low glycemic index with no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohol. Made with real dark chocolate.
High Fiber – Each bar has 12 grams of fiber that is thought to help regulate weight, maintain a healthy digestive tract and may improve heart health.
Vegan – NuGo Nutrition makes more than 20 protein bars that are certified vegan by Vegan Action. Made from plant proteins and completely free of animal products or by-products.
Non-GMO – All of the company’s protein bars only contain Non-GMO ingredients.
No Soy – For those with a soy allergy or for those looking to avoid soy products, there are several protein bars available that are certified to be free of soy.
Real Chocolate vs. Fake Chocolate
NuGo Nutrition states several times that they only use “real” dark chocolate in their protein bars and have a section of their website to explaining the differences between the two. Because there is such a difference from a health standpoint, we thought it would be helpful to include that information here.
Benefits from “real” dark chocolate:
- Made from cocoa butter and nonfat cocoa solids
- Melt-in-your-mouth texture and flavor
- Can help maintain good cholesterol levels
- Heart Healthy
- Rich in antioxidants
What you get with “fake” dark chocolates:
- Palm Oil (saturated fat) is used instead of real cocoa butter
- Has a higher melting point and waxy texture
- High in saturated fat that can contribute to unhealthy cholesterol levels
- No health benefits (and possibly adverse reactions)
Where Can NuGo Nutrition Bars Be Purchased?
The easiest way to purchase the NuGo Nutrition protein bars is directly from their website where you will be able to choose from more than 40 different bars. The company has a standard shipping rate of $5.95 but does offer free shipping on orders totaling $50.00 or more.
One advantage to buying directly from the NuGo Nutrition website is the advantage of buying bundle packs of 12 protein bars that can save you money from buying them individually. The cost is not that much more than traditional protein bars or candy but is obviously healthier.
The bad part of ordering online is having to wait during the shipping process to try the product.
Strangely enough, Office Max and Office Depot are two national retailers that carry some of the NuGo Nutrition product line. You may also want to type in your zip code on the company’s locator section and see other local retailers in your area that carry the NuGo Nutrition protein bars.The bars are also available through other online retailers including Amazon.
What Others Are Saying About This Product
In researching this company and its healthy protein bars it was easy to find many independent reviews and for the majority of consumers, these bars are a definite hit. The positive testimonials talked about how great the protein bars tasted and many consumers wanted to try all of the bars based solely on flavor. Many others were impressed with the specific formulations including one woman who stated that the NuGo Nutrition bars had helped her to lose more than 60 pounds.
There were only a few negative reviews with the number one complaint being staleness when purchasing the products online. Other consumers stated that the bars were expensive and did not like the softness of the protein bars.
Overall, almost 80% of consumers gave NuGo Nutrition bars a 5-Star rating. Though there were some negative reviews, the majority of independent testimonials was very positive.
NuGo Nutrition Review Summary
For those with busy lifestyles that are looking for a nutritional and healthy protein bar, NuGo Nutrition might have exactly what you are looking for.
With a large selection of protein bars that are made for specific health conditions, many people that haven’t been able to enjoy a protein bar because of blood sugar or an allergy now has an alternative to high-calorie snacks.
All NuGo Nutrition bars are certified Kosher and meet very stringent standards that make them a good choice for anyone following a religious or cultural diet. The protein bars are also a good choice for those with dairy or gluten sensitivities.
One thing to keep in mind before trying a new food or snack is that everyone has different tastes. Just because one person loved the texture and flavor doesn’t mean it’s right for your palate. Before ordering a few dozen protein bars from NuGo Nutrition, try buying a single bar from a neighborhood store to see if you will like them. But, if you are concerned only about the nutritional point of view, then NuGo Nutrition bars certainly fare better than most of the competition.
