Are Kashi Go Lean Chocolate Almond Protein and Fiber Bars Clean?
JenniferM | On 24, Apr 2009
I’m always on the lookout for a protein bar that I can truly enjoy eating instead of merely tolerating because I have to say – I do not like them. They’re a great source of protein and they make for a good breakfast since I’m not much of a food eater in the morning and they’re suitable for a post-workout snack when I don’t feel like a protein shake. Having said all that, I don’t like them. Well, I can’t say that I don’t like *all* of them because I haven’t tried every single one on the market, but I have tried many and I haven’t found one that I like…until now. My problem is that the Kashi GoLean Crunchy Chocolate and Almond Protein & Fiber Bar tastes so good that I am doubtful that it is really clean or that it’s as “all natural” as it claims on the package.
So I thought I would list the ingredients and take a poll to see what our readers think.
Brown rice syrup, soy protein isolate, evaporated cane juice crystals, crystalline fructose, Kashi Seven Whole Grain & Sesame® blend, almonds, oat fiber, mechanically fractionated palm kernel oil, cocoa, rice flour, rice starch, honey, toasted soy grits, vegetable glycerin, corn grits, chicory root fiber, wheat bran, corn flour, natural flavors, salt, chocolate liquor, nonfat milk, vanilla extract, alpha tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), zinc oxide, ferrous fumarate (iron), annatto (color), pyridoxine hydrocholoried (vitamin B6), folic acid, vitamin B12.
(Nutritional info: Only 170 calories, 5 g of fat, no cholesterol, 210 mg of sodium, 27 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 8 g protein.)
Call me skeptical, but I’m not quite sure “all natural” fits these bars. They do taste really good and I actually find them a pleasure to eat and I don’t just “choke” them down because I need something, but I think if I’m looking for a clean protein bar, this isn’t it.
What do you think? (I’d love to read your comments on why you think these bars are clean or not, so feel free to leave a comment).
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April 27, 2009
I don’t think these are necessarily bad, but technically the evaporated cane juice crystals makes that “unclean”. The only really clean protien bars I have found are Jay Bars, which contain no sugar, corn syrup, casein, artificial sweeteners, maltitol, acesulfame-K, evaporated cane juice, aspartame, or sucralose. I think they are pretty good (I’m not a big protein bar person). The peanut butter one is great with an apple for a quick boost.
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April 27, 2009
Tera,
Thanks for the tip about Jay Bars! I think you’re talking about Jay Robb? I looked at the bars listed on his site and wow – those look really good. Almost double the protein than the Kashi bars, less carbs, and no “junk.” I’ll have to try those – of course one at a time to make sure I like the taste before buying a whole box…lol.
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May 6, 2009
I guess if a person is looking for something sweet and is reaching for this bar instead of chocolate bars ect, it’s not a bad choice. However, I don’t think it should necessarily be advertised as a clean protein bar. Protein has come a long way, it won’t be long till they come up with something palatable.
I will look up the Jay bar though, good advertising for this product so far. -
May 8, 2009
Sorry. Anything with “natural flavors” but doesn’t list what those are, or anything that adds color doesn’t, in my book, qualify as natural.
Call me cynical.
Brenda -
June 13, 2009
Have you tried Larabars? Can’t beat their ingredient lists. Six ingredients, tops. All natural, minimally processed. They are more a source of fruit/fiber than protein, but they do have some.
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July 1, 2009
I would think the palm kernel oil (one of the more unhealthy oils) would put this on the no-way list right off…along with the fructose and cane syrup
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I know! It’s hard to believe Kashi is permitted to call these “all natural.”
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October 28, 2009
lara bars are great, though not very high in protein. One trick is to try some of the protein bar recipes. I know there are a few in The Eat Clean Diet and several have popped up in Clean Eating magazine. You could make a batch once you find one you like and then store them. The kashi bars are good, but better as a treat than a staple. Not as clean as you could wish for.
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January 5, 2010
I do not think these are “clean”. I just started this week with the Clean Eating and it’s actually easier than I thought. I do not like protein bars either, but a friend of mine gave me this recipe for protein bars and they are really good.
24 oz. Honey
1 jar Natural Peanut Butter Crunchy
3 cups quick oats
2 1/4 c. Arbonne Chocolate Protein PowderMix together and put into a 9×13 casserole. Put in refrigerator until set. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.
I microwave the honey and peanut butter for about 45 seconds (makes it easier to stir) and then put the sliced bars in snack size bags so it’s quick and easy.
If you try them, let me know what you think.
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January 13, 2010
I thought the rule for “clean” was 5 whole ingredients or less…to strict?
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Hi Marisa,
There is no hard and fast rule about how many or how few ingredients should be in a food. Everyone has their own philosophy on what constitutes a “clean” pre-packaged product. I think 5 whole ingredients or less is a great goal to aim for, but not something that is set in stone.
Hope this helps!
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February 8, 2010
I just discovered these on the go bars that have a lot of protein due to their nut content. http://www.tasteofnature.ca/ I would give them a try. Mrs. Mays nut bites are a good quick natural protein boost as well.
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Hi Krystal,
Thanks for the heads up and I will definitely check these out!
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February 25, 2010
No, these are not clean. Brown rice syrup (basically a sugar substitute is the first ingredient). Oh No! Try Larabar and compare the ingredients. Real food that you recognize. No syrup oil, flour or starch, which are all chemically altered versions of food.
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March 21, 2010
weather “clean” or not, i think these bars are a lot better than some cereals out there. and certainly better than a snicker’s bar if you’re choosing between them for a quick snack. plus, they really taste pretty good.
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March 22, 2010
I just started the EC diet Jan. 1st ,2010. I have made the power protein bars that are in the cookbook on page #303 several times. You cant beat the 15g of protein(which I turn into 17g with the addition of Salba seeds)after a workout and they taste great. I also use oat flour which has a little more protein than the others. Give yourself abot 45 min. of prep time and be ready for a treat.
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April 4, 2010
I have found that the Kashi bars are a good transition bar for my children.
They are better than what they were eating for a quick snack after school and moves them one step closer to our clean eating goal. And they like them. -
April 10, 2010
First off, although I think these bars are great, I would not call them “PROTEIN” bars, seeing as they only have 8 grams. Secondly, they can call them “all natural” because they are in fact that; there are no synthetic or semi-synthetic ingredients (technically we can not be sure from which means the vitamins or minerals were obtained but they function no differently in the body), or ingredients obtained by CHEMICAL processes. The only “sketchy” ingredient in terms of all natural is the PALM KERNAL OIL; however, since it is MECHANICALLY FRACTIONED, it can be called all natural. That being said, there are of course better, loop-hole free all natural bar choices. The Kashi Chocolate Almond Crunchy bar tastes great however, and one sure way to ensure a diet or healthy “clean” eating regimen is successful is by occasionally allowing yourself “special treats” or “off” “semi-off” days. This bar would be perfect in those cases. Eat clean foods every couple of hours, watch your carb/protein/fat ratios (get enough healthy fats), take your vitamins and minerals, drink plenty of water, exercise, and do not be too hard on yourself (cheat every now and then) and the pounds will fly off and/or stay off.
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Any reason why my response to the Kashi question was removed by a moderator? Was it simply to much truth and good advice?
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Hi Caesar,
Thanks for commenting!
When we first started CEC, we received so many spam comments that we moved to comment moderation. We’re not always here to approve a comment immediately, but we do try to approve within 12 hours, give or take.
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October 2, 2010
Kim,
Thank u SO MUCH for the idea about using these for kids! I have been uneasy for quite some time about what mine eats after school, and I could feel much better about this! Thanks!
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