Greens+ High Protein Food Bar - Functional Foods

Greens+ High Protein Food Bar

The Greens+ product line is the creation of Sam Graci, the head of Orange Peel Enterprises.  Graci created the original Greens+ superfood drink in 1990 – inspired by the desire to help his disabled sister-in-law live a healthier life.  Since that time, the line has expanded to include other drinks, protein powders, supplements and bars.  The protein bars come in 4 basic flavors: Natural Peanut Butter, Chocolate-Coated Peanut Butter, Wild Berry Burst and Whey Protein Krisp.

Manufacturer’s Description: We’ve combined organically grown superfoods, whey protein, high energy herbal extracts and a little agave nectar to produce the only cold-processed, alkaline-forming, protein-rich green food bar. The GREENS+® Protein Bar contains no processed sugar, salt, corn syrup, hydrogenated oil, synthetic sweeteners, preservatives, or genetically-modified foods of any kind.

The GREENS+® Protein Bar delivers low-glycemic carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and biologically-complete protein to help build lean muscle and balance the body’s blood sugar. Perfect for athletes seeking an edge, students, travelers, children of all ages, and anyone in need of optimum energy, superior well being, and peak performance.

Product Label:

Serving Size 1 bar (59g)
Calories 240
Calories from Fat 100
Total Fat 11g
Monosaturated Fat 4g
Saturated Fat 2.5g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 5mg
Sodium 45mg
Total Carbohydrates 20g
Dietary Fiber 2g
Sugars 17g
Protein 20g
Vitamin A 3200iu 70%
Vitamin B6 .10mg 5%
Vitamin B12 12mcg 216%
Vitamin C 18mg 30%
Vitamin E 40iu 133%
Calcium 60mg 6%
Iron 2mg 13%

Ingredients: Organic peanut butter, whey protein isolate, organic agave nectar, organic quinoa sprout powder, original GREENS+® (GMO-free soy lecithin, organic Hawaiian spirulina, organic apple fiber, barley grass powder, wheat grass powder, Japanese chlorella, hydroponic soy sprouts, organic brown rice bran, sprouted barley malt, alfalfa grass powder, dairy-free probiotics, royal jelly, Montana bee pollen, acerola berry juice, natural vitamin E, licorice root powder, milk thistle extract, echinacea root extract, Siberian eleuthero root extract, astragalus root extract, licorice root extract, organic red beet juice, dunaliella salina algae, organic Nova Scotia Dulse, organic ginkgo biloba leaf extract, organic Japanese green tea extract, grape seed and skin extract, organic Swedish bilberry extract), organic brown rice crisps, Omega 3 Chia seed oil, mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin E).

Comments: I picked up a box of a dozen Natural Peanut Butter bars from www.iherb.com for $24.40 (US). This is considerably less than the price I would have paid buying direct from the company ($35.88).

The bars look quite simple: they’re basically firm, smooth, brownish-greenish slabs of nougat – no layers or coating. They have a smooth, homogenous texture and are quite chewy, although not excessively so. Despite the color, they don’t taste “grassy” or “herby” – just mildly sweet with a pleasant – but not powerful – peanut butter flavor.

So, not great… but definitely ok.

The bars provide a decent amount of high quality protein (from whey), as well as some green “superfood” nutrition from Greens+ powder. There’s even some chia seed oil to provide some omega-3 fats. The bars are filling without being particularly high in calories, so they’d make a decent snack for someone on a reduced calorie diet.

One of the things I liked about the Greens+ bars is that – unlike many other protein bars – they’re made from actual food ingredients, vs. additives. Thus, they don’t taste much like traditional candy bars, but are also more “real”. Personally, I think they’d make good snacks for traveling, as they’re nutritious, can slip easily into a purse or pocket, and are firm enough to resist being mangled.

[usrlist “Taste:2.5” “Quality:5.0” “Efficacy:5.0” “Value:3.5″ avg=”true”]

Author: elissa

Elissa is a former research associate with the University of California at Davis, and the author/co-author of over a dozen articles published in scientific journals. Currently a freelance writer and researcher, Elissa brings her multidisciplinary education and training to her writing on nutrition and supplements.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *