The Bottom Line: While Chocolate Chip is normally a great tasting idea with cookies, it doesn't taste that great as a Clif Bar, but it is good for energy and fiber.
biscuitfarmer's Full Review: Clif Bar Chocolate Chip 12/Box
If I would have known that I was able to review products such as Clif Bar, I would have done it so much sooner. I have a long time history with Clif Bar, going back to before I joined the Air Force.
Back while I was still in high school, I worked for a small marketing firm that had Clif Bar and Luna Bars for a client. This meant that I got to eat as many of these bars as I could ever possibly want. I remember taking home cases of these bars on a regular basis, because I had to know how they tasted and everything about the bars in order to help sell them.
The company that I worked for was actually in charge of promoting the brand and helping to market it throughout the Michigan market to C-Stores (convenience) and vending machine operations. This was a pretty difficult job overall, however, with the product growing in popularity, and the flavor pretty much speaking for itself, it became increasingly easier to do.
Please feel free to check out all of my reviews of every single flavor of Clif Bar, and possibly even the Luna Bars as well if I have the opportunity to. There are quite a few to go through, but I'm going to do it. I have linked all of the other flavors below.
Product Use
Clif Bars were created in order to provide a product on the market that was not only great tasting, but high in nutritional value at the same time. There needed to be some product on the market, that provided a long term boost of energy, which could be consumed by athletes on the go.
In order to get the full effects of the product, I suggest that it is taken about an hour or two before you are about to participate in any athletic event, running, a workout, whatever you choose to do. I have noticed that I normally get my peak effects right around that time, so that would be the perfect opportunity to use it.
What it Does
The Clif Bars, are created so that you can have a steady flow of energy into your body, and a slow drop off. Where as with candy bars, such as a Snickers bar, you get an immediate boost of energy, but you drop off suddenly and feel extremely drained. With this gradual increase and decrease, you feel like you have a lot more energy for much longer than other foods.
Another great aspect of the product is that because it's high in fiber, it's a great way to keep your body cleansed, and to eleviate constipation through preventative maintenance. If you consume one of these bars about once a week, you'll notice that you'll have a much more regular stool, and you'll feel a lot better as well.
I personally take them on an almost daily basis about an hour and a half before I start my workout. I notice this is a huge help to me, because at the beginning of my workout, I am somewhat energized, but as the workout goes on, I seem to gain energy, and have a lot more focus. It has really added an extra dimension to my workout program, as I'm not as tired and can do it more frequently.
Chocolate Chip Flavor
The Chocolate Chip flavor, while we still eat it, neither my wife, nor myself actually like the flavor. I find it to be somewhat bland in taste, and it doesn't really do anything for me. It's not that it really tastes bad, it just doesn't taste any better than a normal granola bar. The only difference, is that Clif Bars are somewhat harder than a regular chewy granola bar. So when I eat the Chocolate Chip flavor, I think of the chewy granola bars, and realize that I am suffering through something that could be so easy. Fortunately Clif Bars have far more energy and fiber packed into each bar so I guess there's some benefit to it.
The bars are great tasting, almost like a granola bar. They are somewhat harder than a standard granola bar, but are easy to consume with or without fluids. I don't have any issues swallowing them like many bars, and since the bars are all natural, you really don't have to worry about the effects they will have on your body after consumption.
Where to buy
You can purchase Clif Bars all over the place, which is the main reason I like the bars, besides their taste. Most major retailers carry them such as Wal Mart, Meijer, Fred Meyer, and any stores that have dietary supliments. I'm not sure if GNC carries Clif Bar, but I'm assuming that the majority of dietary stores and drug stores would. I usually buy mine at the grocery store along with my other groceries.
Cost
While they are somewhat costly, it isn't something that you are meant to eat several of in a single day. I find that if I eat one a day or one every time I workout, which is about five times a week, that it is more than adequate for what I am trying to accomplish. You can purchase a case of bars, for about $15 each. If you want to buy them separately, they are about $1.25-$2.00 each depending upon where you go. The dietary stores, are generally a lot more expensive than your general grocery stores, so I recommend taking that route.
Final Thoughts
Clif Bars are a great way to add flavor and energy to your regimented workout routine. If you are an athlete, like I am, you find that you definitely need lots of energy in order to stay motivated to keep on working out. While using the Clif Bars in my routine, I find that I can easily find the energy needed to keep on going, and pump up my routine on a regular basis.
I don't personally like the Chocolate flavor as I find it to be somewhat bland and undesirable. My wife pretty much agrees, however, we both tend to eat them anyway, just to mix up our consumption a little bit. I just cringe everytime I have to eat one, because it's time is up in our cycle.
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