At $2plus dollars apiece, wouldn't you rather have a nice trout filet? A texture rather like taffy or wood putty, almost unavoidable nuts or chocolate, a neutral or even unattractive aroma; protein bars have a long way to go.

The first question you have to ask yourself is, am I looking for mouth entertainment I don't have to feel guilty about, or am I replacing a meal with some disregard for the usefulness of shared, prepared food? Recalling that I need to nourish myself on a lot of different levels when I eat, I really notice that the bars don't do much for me smell, texture, or deliciousness-wise, and that I can have more and better food for less and plenty to share, if I just spend a LITTLE time planning for it. As big as natural food groceries are now, they still make most of their profits on beer, wine, sodas/juices, chips/snack and salsa/dips- just like 7-11...

Seriously, for folks with sensitive blood sugars- high or low- a balanced snack of proteins, a bit of fat and low glycemic index carbs is an awfully good, cheap choice. If you are hooked on the quick convenience of the snack bars, make freezer baggies of the blend of choice, freeze and thaw/warm in the bag in a bowl of hot water- or a microwave oven, if you use one- or your pocket until lunch/snack time. Given the choice of a nice big bowlful of barley/ chana dahl pilaf for you and 2 friends, half a quart of organic fruity yogurt, or one Advantage Bar, which do you prefer? Check out the crockpot pilaf recipes in the recipe box!

All that said, I do keep a can of Designer Brand whey protein powder (vanilla praline flavor) in my cupboard. Mixed with a cup of skim milk or fortified lowfat soy milk as directed, it has 23 drams of protein about 15 of carbs a bit of fat, it tastes pleasant, and seems to satisfy me better than any of the bars- more nutrition at about half the cost. Plus, no crumbs. I tried quite a few different ones before picking this, you may have to do the same to find a favorite.