Overall, my family and I do not like energy bars. We get easily bored with their texture, consistency and the fact that they are not really like a real meal, but we do end up relying on them when doing outdoor activities. Some of the ingredients in many bars on the market are not that great for you, or are additives.  Many have ingredients that are major allergens.

In the end, I think all three of us would decide to bring Jocalat bars on a trip with us.  We don’t usually feed chocolate to our daughter, but these bars are not chocolate bars in the sense that we are familiar with.  They have cocao in their list of ingredients, which gives any energy bar a more distinguished, earthy and real flavor.

Both LaraBar and Jocalat : All natural wholesome ingredients. Most bars have between three and five ingredients.  Made from 100% whole food, no added sugar, unprocessed, raw, gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan, kosher, 1 serving of fruit. Made with nuts and seeds.  All nutrition comes from real, whole foods.

LaraBar

Pros:  You get your nutrition from real food that is minimally tampered with.  Offers you a serving of fruit when you are in places where getting your fruit and vegetables may be more difficult.

Cons:  Mushy texture, all flavors slightly similar, made my daughter go to the bathroom, too sweet, low in protein. Eating a whole one made me feel like I was chewing something I should not be.  I did not feel full or energetic after eating it.

Jocalat

Pro:  Chocolate, consistent texture, no overwhelming sugar rushes or flavors, simple, you get your nutrition from untampered food.  Felt satisfied for a short while after eating it.

Con:  low in protein. Could get boring to eat really fast since most flavors are similar.

ClifBar: Made by ClifBar a company that specializes in energy products.  They make their bars from natural and organic ingredients and really study the composition of each of their products to deliver a more balanced energy product.  Their bars are some of the most balanced on the market when you look at the ratio of calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates and sugars.  They have a huge variety of flavors.

On the whole we liked the different bars we tried but did not like the heavy use of soy and flavors that where more like deserts.

Pro:  Many flavors, balanced nutrition, texture is like that of a moist cookie,   felt more energy for longer but felt a slight sugar high and crash.

Con: heavy on the stomach, uses soy, too many ingredients, and not enough use of real unmanipulated products