A Dietitian’s Review: Kind Bars

Please read to the very end for the giveaway!

Walking down the “bar” section of the grocery store can be really overwhelming, can’t it? I mean they all look so healthy! They can be very deceiving though, and most of them are filled with preservatives, fake ingredients, sugars, and cheap protein. I am not a big fan of most “bars” because usually they are usually a bad replacement for whole foods. So if you can, then pack with you a handful of almonds, fruit, veggies, etc.. but in case you need to have bars with you for those busy days, then I recommend you bring your KIND bars with you.

These little tasty bars are my favorite and one of the few bars I actually do recommend. What I love about them is the simplicity of the ingredients. When I talk about “clean eating” with my clients, it involves choosing foods with as little ingredients as possible, as minimally processed as possible, and choosing whole, natural foods. KIND bars fit the “clean eating” bill for the most part in my mind.

If you go to the company’s website, you can also see what the company stands for. Their philosophy includes this line, which is what I completely agree with 100%, “Be KIND to your body, your taste buds, and the world.” Read the rest of their philosophy here.

The bars are not very high in protein, but the combination of fat, carbs and protein will keep you tide you over until your next meal and will keep you full. They may be a bit pricier than some other bars and on the go foods, but you are paying for quality. I’ve seen a single bar range from $1.19-2.15. You can often times find them on sale, or buy them in bulk. (Cheapest place I have found them is the Commissary).

Let’s take a look at a few of their products:

Fruit & Nut Kind Bar:

Calories 210, Total Fat 16g, Saturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 10mg, Total Carb 14g, Dietary Fiber 4g, Sugars 5g, Protein 7g, Vitamin A (0%), Vitamin C(0% DV), Calcium (4% DV), Iron (6% DV)

Ingredients : Mixed nuts (peanuts, almonds, brazil nuts, walnuts), honey, non GMO glucose, chicory fiber, puffed rice, flax seed, soy lecithin.

What are these ingredients?

• Nuts: Obvious
• Honey: A natural sweetener
• Non-GMO Glucose: This means the Glucose is not genetically modified. Glucose is sugar. Too much of any type of sugar is bad and excess will be stored as fat in the body. The 5g of sugar in this bar however I think is vey minimal.
• Chicory Fiber: Sometimes this is listed as “inulin” on food labels, but it is similar to fiber found in fruits and veggies. It helps add fiber to a good without any bad taste or texture, and it gives food a creamy feeliing in your mouth. Chicory Root is also a prebioitic and is great for your gut’s health.
• Puffed Rice: It is rice that is “puffed” under high pressure, similar to what is in cereals.
• Flax Seed: Flax is high in omega-3 fatty acids, is good for your heart, contains antioxidants and fiber.
• Soy Lecithin: Lecithin is an oily substance in soybeans that is used because it is an emulsifier- this means it holds the ingredients together.

Almond & Coconut Kind Bar (My FAVORITE)

Calories 190, Total Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 5g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 25mg, Total Carb 21g, Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 12g, Protein 3g, Vitamin A (0%), Vitamin C(0% DV), Calcium (4% DV), Iron (6% DV)

Ingredients : Almonds, coconut, honey, non GMO glucose, crisp rice, chicory root fiber, soy lecithin.

What are these ingredients?

• Almonds: Obvious
• Coconut: The coconut adds a little more fat and natural sweetness to this bar. The saturated fat from coconut is unrefined saturated fat, which is completely different than the saturated fats found in animal products.
• Honey: See above
• Non GMO glucose: See above
• Crisp Rice: Rice which has been cooked with a different method, making it crispy.
• Chicory Root Fiber: See above
• Soy Lecithin: See above

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein Kind Bar

Calories 200, Total Fat 13g, Saturated Fat 3.5g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 50 mg, Total Carb 17g, Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 10g, Protein 7g, Vitamin A (0%), Vitamin C(0% DV), Calcium (4% DV), Iron (8% DV)

Ingredients : Mixed nuts (peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews, macadamias, peanut butter, brazil nuts), honey, sugar, non GMO glucose, soy crisps (soy protein isolate, tapioca starch, salt), palm kernel oil, cocoa powder, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, milk powder, soy lecithin.

What are these ingredients?

Mixed nuts: Obvious

• Honey: See above
• Sugar: Simply sugar. I do not like that there are multiple types of sugar in this bar, I don’t think it needs it. Still, 10g is not AS high as some other bars.
• Non GMO Glucose: See above
• Soy Crisps: Soy proteins in moderation have been shown to be safe. I do not recommend soy protein shakes, but this little bit of soy protein every once in a while is fine. More scientific info about soy, read: THIS  and THIS
• Palm Kernel Oil: Palm kernel oil is extracted from the seed of the palm tree. Similar to coconut oil, it is high in saturated fat. You should keep the saturated fat content of your foods a low as possible.
• Cocoa Powder: Rich in flavor, giving you the yummy chocolate taste. I don’t understand why the label doesn’t say “dark cocoa powder,” which would be higher in antioxidants.
• Chicory Root Fiber: See above
• Natural Flavors: I don’t like this ingredient either, there is no definition for what “natural flavors” is or what that even means! I did contact the company and they said, “Our natural flavors are derived from a propriety blend of spices, fruits or fruit juice.”
• Milk Powder: Basically it is dehydrated milk.
• Soy Lecithin: See above

This bar would be one of the least “clean” bars that KIND has.

Do you read the labels of your bars and snacks?

You should! Please take a look at what is in the foods you are eating, if you don’t know what it is.. look it up! You have to make the best choices for yourself and your family.

Kind Bars are:

• Gluten Free
• Vegetarian
• Some are vegan
• Not nut-free
• Some have added antioxidants
• Not low in calories, plan accordingly

On the website and on some of the bars I have seen this, “Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center study indicated eating 2 KIND bars a day prevents weight gain.” Eating these ON TOP of  your normal diet, will not help you to lose weight, actually eating 2 of these a day on top of what you are already eating will probably make you gain weight. Remember, save these for days you are running around, too busy to sit down, when you didn’t plan out your meals, etc. I do not think you should eat 2 of these every day.

Variety 10 Pack of KIND Bars Giveaway!

Giveaway is Over, SORRY!

I’ve giving away a variety 10 pack of KIND Bars! What do you have to do?

1. Comment below with what your favorite healthy snack is!
2. You much post on my facebook page   saying you want to win the giveaway!
3. The winner will be randomly selected by 10am PST on May 6th, 2013!
4. To have your name entered twice, share this post onto your own facebook page (and tag me or message me so I can make sure to see it)!

Let’s Get Started!