Although I don't write about gluten-free products on a regular basis (preferring to focus on subjects related to gluten free dining and travel), those of you who follow this Blog know my penchant for gluten-free snacks that travel well…especially gluten-free snack bars. Our family has many favorites, and we rely on them for in-between-meal snacks on road trips or on the plane.
I'm also a stickler for quality. I try to avoid GMOs at all cost, opting for non-GMO or organic snack bars. That's one reason I love the new CLIF Organic Trial Mix Bars. They're available nationwide beginning this month, and they come in seven flavors (all gluten-free and all USDA organic). Ingredients include high quality fruits and nuts like almonds and whole wild blueberries -- as well as chunks of dark chocolate.
Flavors available are: Coconut Almond Peanut (a favorite of mine), Cranberry Almond, Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt (another favorite), Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Raspberry, and Wild Blueberry Almond. The suggested retail price is $1.69-$1.79, typical for a good-quality snack bar.
In addition to these tasty new bars, CLIF has another unique line of gluten-free, organic products…CLIF Organic Energy Food. These are squeezable, resealable pouches, similar to some of the applesauce varieties you'll find today. But the flavors are much more interesting, and they are geared to endurance athletes who need a convenient, high-energy snack they can literally eat-on-the-go.
Flavors include Banana Mango Coconut (I really liked this -- it tastes like a tropical smoothie), Banana Beet and Ginger, Sweet Potato with Sea Salt, and Pizza Margherita. So whether you're in the mood for slightly sweet or something more savory, there's one for you. The Sweet Potato and Pizza Margherita varieties have a higher protein and fat content, making them ideal for activities lasting 2+ hours. All varieties have no GMOs, trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or synthetic preservatives…just REAL food…always a win in my book.
And last, but not least, is a new line of CLIF Kid Organic Fruit and Veggie Ropes, similar to fruit roll-ups but twisted like a piece of licorice. What struck me was how fresh and natural they tasted…literally like biting into a piece of fruit, not a sugary piece of candy. It should come as no surprise, since they are made with fruit and veggie puree, with agave extract as a sweetener. Again, all ingredients are organic and non-GMO, and there's even 3 grams of fiber in each. It makes a fun "treat" for kids' lunch boxes -- or to keep in your purse or backpack for a quick snack for anyone in the family (moms included!).
If you've tried any of these snacks, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Did you like them? What was your favorite flavor? Are there other healthy gluten-free snack bars or energy food you like? Share your comments below….