[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

[pct-l] Energy Bars vs Candy Bars



DARN! Forgot that the list removes formatting so my Excel spreadsheet all ran together. I'll try again typing the table manually.

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.

                          Balance    Payday   Balance
                          Gold                     gold x 2

gross weight (oz)    1.9           3.5          3.8
bar weight (gm)      50            96           100
bar cost                $1.35        $0.95       $2.70

calories                 210           480          420
calories from fat       60           120           120
total fat (gm)            7             26            14
saturated fat (gm)      4              4              8
carbohydrate (gm)     23            50            46
protein (gm)              15            12           30
sodium (mg)             160           340         320
potassium (mg)         100             NA        200
% calories from carb    43%         42%        43%
% calories from fat      30%         49%        30%
% calories from protein 28%         10%        28%



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