Yes, and they’re delicious too.

Six months ago, KIND Bar company was asked by the FDA to take the word “healthy” off of the packaging labels. On December 1st, 2015, KIND Bar CEO, Daniel Luetzky, challenged the FDA to reconsider how the word “healthy” is defined by the end-all-be-all rule meister to USA food regulations. The company, in a sagacious ever-growing state of knowledge, revamped their understanding of healthy foods while encouraging (admonishing) the FDA to do the same.

Whole foods, that is, WHOLESOME foods are indeed a healthy food source. How about an established definition of what a “whole food” is:

Personally, my friend and I got into a kick with Clif Bars as a mid afternoon convenient snack to go with our venerated Starbucks coffees of choice. One day, she looked at the (dreaded) nutrition label…

NOOOOO don’t ruin it for me!

It turns out Clif Bars (as wonderful and delicious as they are) have about 5-10 grams more sugar than the average KIND bar. Hey- no hate on Clif Bar- they are an AMAZING company with phenomenal leadership and a vision that impels them to be the best. I love my Clif Bar snack and always will try their new flavors, but unless I am needing a good dose of sugar, backpacking the Appalachian Trail, or doing fieldwork in the forests of Tanzania, Clif Bars might not be the most conducive to my personal sedentary workdays.

Herein lies our new coffee-pairing infatuation- le KIND bar! Like a kid in a candy store we want to try each flavor! But lo… wait… kid in a candy store? So are these treats just as gleefully migrated to as Wonka Bars are by Charlie Bucket and his pals when they traipse to the local confectionary? Who can make the sun riiiiiiise?

~KIND BAR NUTRITION FACTS~ For example, I’ll use a personal favorite KIND bar flavor… Almond Cashew with Flax + Omega 3…the cravings are real!

Here are the Nutrition Facts as reported on the Kind Bar Website:

Serving Size 1 Bar (40g) Calories 190 Fat Calories 100 Total Fat 11g (18% DV) Saturated Fat 1.5g (8% DV) Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 0mg Potassium 130mg (4% DV) Total Carb 20g (7% DV) Dietary Fiber 3g (12% DV) Sugars 11g Protein 4g

Check it: Sugars 11g- not too shabby now! Some delicious protein included in this treat! 4g! All right!!!  With 4:1 carbs to protein ratio as the measureably preferred post workout refueler, 20 g of carbs is a great 5:1 CHO to Protein ratio when compared to other convenient snacks. 

Keep in mind I’m purposely emphasizing the fact that KIND bars are a convenient snack. Although I’m guilty of using it as a meal replacer or constantly eating one for post workout fuel (everything in moderation now), this is a great form of wholesome energy to power through your day. In that respect, in lieu of all the other quick foods to grab and go when your stomach starts to grumble, the KIND bar is QUITE a good option!

So what is deemed “healthy”? This word is so vague, just like culture, and gender. It appears KIND bars are of a “healthier” option than many quick snacks you can by at the local gas station, grocery store, or Starbucks. The fact that I can SEE the WHOLE NUTS in each bar makes it a “healthy” option because I know what is in this food… and it’s just a mash of almonds stuck together with date syrup, give or take a few other nuts and dried fruit. The great thing about KIND is that if I want an “unhealthier” chocolate fix I can choose to buy the chocolate peanut butter flavor, but if I want a more balanced fruit and nut whole ingredient snack I can opt for the simple cranberry cashew option. KIND promotes “Ingredients you can see,” so while these ingredients might be calorically higher, you know these calories are coming from a whole almond with coconut flakes or crushed up pecans and dried cranberries. With a little adhesive made from glucose, plus natural flavors and soy lecithin…

…Soy lecithin you say… aye?

Regarding soy lecithin — lecithin is a vital nutrient that protects cells, reverses liver damage, improves brain function and memory AND the best source for that is egg yolks. While soy lecithin is a waste product coming from soy oil production, it’s not usually a problem, even for people allergic or sensitive to soy. It’s probably more important to avoid soy protein and soy oil than the occasional product with soy lecithin.

Thanks to Marlene Merritt, DOM, LAc, ACM, for this comprehensive information.

…these snack bars are considered a healthy option in my book. In the realm of all foods I’d give it a solid B, in the realm of convenient snack foods you can buy and eat on the go, I’d formally give it an A+ (+).

So, KIND, fight the good fight and prove your truth. FDA, pick on someone your own size… unfortunately there are a few companies just this size who could use a stern talking’ to.

(Disclaimer: sometimes I just want a freakin Clif Bar and will NOT deprive myself of the deliciousness of the Coconut Chocolate Chip or Carrot Cake… mmmm… I just drooled. Clif Bars were made for the adventurer and these bars are amazing to replenish glycogen reserves! I’m just saying they have a tad too much sugar for my everyday consumption. The texture of Clif Bars is like no other, PLUS I want to support their company, PLUS my school puts them in vending machines… WINS FOREVER!!!)