Happy Tuesday love! Here’s to a wonderful day ahead filled with nothing but awesomeness. Today is filled with grabbing new photo content for my social media and blog, as well as getting geared up for my 2nd week on the Shop Lit Live app! In case you missed it, every Tuesday at 7:00 pm EST, you can shop LIVE with me as I promote all of my favorite items in the realm of food, fashion, beauty, travel and more! Last week, I kicked things off touting my favorite body scrubs for Summer and, this week, I thought I would put my health coach/nutrition hat on and talk about my favorite protein bars! Peeps, I get pretty passionate when it comes to talking about this kind of stuff.
Yes, why don’t we talk a little bit more about my favorite protein bars. If I had a dollar every time I was asked “what is the best protein bar out on the market,” I may be rich. In all seriousness, it can be quite daunting. You are faced with a million different brands/varieties, all claiming their wonderful benefits and so-called ingredients. “Janine, which should I choose based on my likes, preferences, and goals?” My answer is pretty simple – “90% of what you see is absolute junk.” My philosophy; if you cannot understand (or pronounce) the ingredients you probably don’t want to be consuming.
Yes, I know; it’s that simple.
Needless to say, I was pumped when I was introduced to this Culver City, California based company at a natural foods expos a few years ago. Papa Steve’s has been whipping up awesomeness since 2011, and they are exactly as they state on the label – “No Junk Raw Protein Bars.” Check this out:
- Each and every bar is Non-GMO, gluten free, and soy free
- Bars are handmade every week of locally sourced ingredients
- Shelf life is 45 days; 2-3 months in fridge; up to 6 months in freezer (I have had mine longer than 6 months and they still taste amazing when thawed out).
- No processed ingredients or added sugars
- Up to 20 grams of raw whey or vegan protein
- Just a quick heads up, the whey protein they use is “whey isolate.” This has the least amount of lactose compared concentrate & hydrolysate so it is free of possible allergens.
- The vegan protein is made up of a combination of pea and hemp seed protein.
There are 4 whey protein varieties and 11 vegan varieties. Of the 11, 3 of them are considered Paleo safe since they have replaced the gluten free oats with additional nuts and seeds.
A couple of the other benefits these bars provide, beyond their “no junk” ingredients and substantial amount of protein, is they are packed with high quality fiber and are low on the glycemic index (i.e keep blood sugar levels from spiking too high).
While you cannot go wrong with any flavor – I mean, there is enough variety for every palette – here are a few of my favorites:
Each bar is between 200-300 calories so a wonderful option as a snack or even a meal (if needed). Remember, real food will always be advocated BUT, life happens, and, sometimes, we just need convenience. What better way than clean & healthy convenience though, right?
xoxo
