9 Bar is a mixed seed energy bar free from wheat, dairy and gluten.
I was glad to get some samples through the post. I munch through hundreds of energy bars every year and spend a fortune in the process.
I received six bars of different varieties (original, flax, pumpkin, organic, peanut and nutty) I ate them pretty quick. Some for breakfast whilst driving up to Snake Pass, some during a ride after the race.
These are main impressions of the bars.
- Tasty. They are pleasant to eat. You could enjoy them just as a snack.
- Balance of fructose carbohydrates and protein
- Medium sugar is nice contrast to more sweat energy bars you’re often munching through. It doesn’t taste too sweet though there is some added sugar.
- With all the seeds and nuts, fat content is reasonably high – 20g per bar.
- Low GI index with slow release of energy. A great energy bar to have for breakfast or during long ride.
- Gluten / wheat / dairy free. Some pro-teams, such as Garmin advocate the benefits of a gluten free diet because it’s easier on the stomach.
Per Bar
rough values
- 277 Kcal
- protein 9.2 g
- carbohydrate 14.6 g
- of which sugars 13 g
- Fat 20 g
- Monounsaturated – 7.5 g
- Polyunsaturated – 6.7 g
- Omega 3 230 mg
- Omega 6 – 5 g
- Saturated fat – 5g
- transfats
Overall
With energy bars, I like variety. On a long 5 hour ride, I’d be happy to take one or two of these. You wouldn’t want to just eat this kind of bars based on seeds. But, it’s good to put in the mix. It tastes healthy and enjoyable to eat.
Some more popular brands like Kellogs multi-grain also have quite high fat and sugar content. I prefer these to Kellogs multi grain, though they are a little more expensive
Because they are not really marketed as a cycling bar they are still better value than quite a few cycling specific energy bars.
- 9 bar at amazon – 16 bars for £10
- 9 Bar.co.uk – some energy bars on offer
Related
I have taken a real liking to the the organic/original bar as an alternative to cereal bars. They taste lovely, are energy-dense and easy to eat. As you say, they are a little cheaper than sports energy bars and being made with seeds they have differing nutritional qualities too. I recommended them to a coealiac friend who was delighted to find a tasty wheat-free product.
Wholebake, who make them, have just changed the packaging (see new-look website at http://www.9bar.com) but I believe the recipes are the same. The big supermarkets are now stocking some lines too. Hmmm, I’m getting peckish now….