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[pct-l] Energy Bars or Candy Bars?



In preparation for my trek, I decided to try the new Balance Gold (TM) energy bars in place of my old standard, king size Payday (TM) candy bars. I must admit, I saw the smaller, lighter, bars and fell for the 40/30/30% of calories ad copy. Besides, the names are great - S'mores, Chocolate Mint, etc. Gotta be better than even my older friend, Tiger's Milk (TM) bars, right? WRONG!

The Payday bar is twice the weight of a Balance Gold bar, so I've also tabulated the nutritional content for 2 BG's for comparison (because nobody can eat just half a Payday). These figures are taken or calculated from the nutritional labeling panels on the respective bars.

BalancePaydayBalance
GoldCandyGold x 2
Gross weight (oz)1.93.53.8
Bar weight (grams)5096100
Bar cost $$1.35$0.95$2.70
     
Calories210480420
Calories from fat60120120
Total fat (grams)72614
Saturated fat (gm)448
Carbohydrate (gm)235046
Protein (gm)151230
Sodium (mg)160340320
Potassium (mg)100na200
% calories from carb434243
% calories from fat304930
% calories from protein281028

By my reckoning, I get more go-power (and taste) out of a Payday, and for a LOT less money. Since there is no chocolate coating on Paydays, they "survive" better in my pack when it's hot. Rounding off accordingly, the percents of calories by source are 40-30-30 for Balance Gold vs. 40-50-10 for Payday. I'll make up the protein difference in my regular meals.

Wandering Bob