From the beginning of my vegetarian days, I have always loved Lara Bars. For me, they have been a quick pick-me-up for high-intensity exercise and fiber needs. The bars often face controversy as a “health product” or not due to their high caloric nature and minimal ingredients. Although the bars are all vegan, packed with fruit, and loaded with minerals, like most goods, they are better in the scheme of a balanced diet. I have tried many Lara Bar flavors over the last year, so here’s my take, is it trash or cash?
Lara Bar #1: Banana Chocolate Chip
The Banana Chocolate Chip Bar is my favorite Lara Bar flavor. I purchase one of the larger cases of this particular flavor once every month, and I have to ration the bars to prevent more Lara Bar type of days. I don’t care much for their high caloric nature because most of my friends and I enjoy them in moderation. This flavor is the perfect kick of sweet and savory, a great pre-workout choice, especially a post-workout snack.
Jessica’s Rating: 100/10 (Cash!)
Link to Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/LARABAR-Banana-Chocolate-Chip-Ounce/dp/B07FTQ49Q8/ref=sr_1_3_0o_wf?dchild=1&keywords=banana+chocolate+chip+larabar&qid=1621219583&sr=8-3
Lara Bar #2: Banana Bread
I thought I would like this flavor because I loved their Banana Chocolate Chip flavor, but this was not the case. I made the mistake of eating one of these before a workout, and the overpowering flavor contributed to a not-so-good feeling. This flavor is bitter with weird dry banana pieces that were very unsettling to me. I did not get past the second bite.
Jessica’s Rating: 1/10 (Trash!)
Link to Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Larabar-Bar-Banana-Bread-1-6/dp/B06XRP888W/ref=sr_1_2_0o_wf?dchild=1&keywords=banana+bread+larabar&qid=1621219610&sr=8-2
Lara Bar #3: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
I understand what the company is trying to do by “veganizing” or, in better terms, health-washing foods that are typically high-calorie dense fun foods. I try to apply the same approach to my substitution strategy on my blog. This flavor was bitter, too sweet, and very unsatisfying. Although Lara Bars market a lot of their products on minimal ingredients, the chickpea ingredient was overpowering. I don’t recommend this product if you do not want to be thoroughly disappointed.
Jessica’s Rating: 2/10 (Trash!)
Lara Bar #3: Blueberry Muffins
This flavor reminds me of a smoothie I made that was overly sweet. There are a lot of dry-blueberry pieces that were unsatisfying, and the flavor felt very artificial. This flavor is twenty calories less than a typical bar, at 190 calories, but I would not choose this bar if I had the chance. I don’t know if the flavor went with those additional calories.
Jessica’s Rating: 1.5/10 (Trash!)
Link to Purchase:
https://www.amazon.com/Larabar-Bar-Blueberry-Muffin-1-6/dp/B00A1NA44I/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=blueberry+muffin+larabar&qid=1621219755&sr=8-12
Lara Bar #4: Cashew Cookie
This flavor tasted a lot like cashews! The flavor was not overpowering, but I don’t understand where they got the cookie idea because it reminded me of a trail-mix bar more than anything. There were no weird dry flavors, but I am curious about which fruit they used in this bar. This bar tasted a lot like chickpeas like the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar, but it was more satiating.
Jessica’s Rating: 7/10 (Cash!)
Link to Purchase:
Lara Bar #5: Peanut Butter Cookie
I am not a peanut butter lover, but it is tolerable on the side of my plate for an additional kick of fats. This flavor was overpowering, dry, and very protein-powder-like. These bars aren’t necessarily “health bars,” so I don’t see a benefit to the chalkiness comparable to protein powder. I would not recommend this flavor, and I could not finish this bar.
Jessica’s Rating: 0/10 (Trash!)
Link to Purchase:
Lara Bar #6: Apple Pie
I thought this was an interesting flavor, but it was too bitter for my liking. The taste is sweet and reminds me of freshly picked apples, a bonus to its artificial counterparts. There were small dry-apple pieces, but they did not detract from the flavor. I tasted a little bit of cinnamon, so it brought the perfect balance of sweet and savory. I recommend this bar.
Jessica’s Rating: 7/10 (Cash!)
Link to Purchase:
Thank you for checking out my article! I hope it could come to help some people a little curious about the Lara-Bar craze. My opinions could vary from someone else’s, but I tried to apply an unbiased take for what I could. Have a great day, and feel free to let me know if you try any of these!
From, Jess
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