Product Review: LUNA protein bars

LUNA began to transition over their line of protein bars to be gluten free earlier this year by removing oats and barley malt from their formulation.  This change came about because the company believed they could provide a bar that is a better source of protein, fiber and nutrients for those who eat gluten free than what is currently available.

LUNA Protein bars are:

Under 200 calories

12 grams of protein

3 grams of fiber

Rich in calcium, iron, vitamin D and folate

The Luna Protein bar comes in 5 different flavors – Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Cookie Dough, Chocolate Cherry Almond, and Mint Chocolate Chip.   The bars do contain soy, dairy and nuts, so I was unable to try them and gave them to my husband for review.

• Mint Chocolate Chip -Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Coating (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Organic Vanilla Extract), Vegetable Glycerin, Inulin (Chicory Extract), Chocolate Chips (Evaporated Cane Juice, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors),Cocoa Soy Rice Crisps (Soy Protein Isolate, Organic Rice Flour, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Alkalized Cocoa), Natural Flavors, Macadamia Nut Butter, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Water, Salt, Soy Lecithin.
• Cookie Dough -Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate,Whey Protein Concentrate), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Coating (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Organic Vanilla Extract), Chocolate Chips (Evaporated Cane Juice, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter,Soy Lecithin,Natural Flavors), Inulin (Chicory Extract), Vegetable Glycerin, Macadamia Nut Butter, Natural Flavors, Cocoa Soy Rice Crisp (Soy Protein Isolate, Organic Rice Flour, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Alkalized Cocoa), Salt, Soy Lecithin.
• Chocolate -Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Coating (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice,Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Organic Vanilla Extract), Vegetable Glycerin, Inulin (Chicory Extract), Chocolate Chips (Evaporated Cane Juice, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors), Cocoa Soy Rice Crisps (Soy Protein Isolate, Organic Rice Flour, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Alkalized Cocoa), Macadamia Nut Butter, Natural Flavors, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Water, Salt , Soy Lecithin.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter -Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Coating (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Organic Vanilla Extract), Peanuts, Organic Peanut Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Inulin (Chicory Extract), Natural Flavors, Soy Rice Crisp (Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Flour),Salt, Soy Lecithin, Almonds.
• Chocolate Cherry Almond -Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Coating (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Organic Vanilla Extract), Inulin (Chicory Extract), Almonds, Macadamia Nut Butter, Dried Cherries, Soy Rice Crisp (Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Flour, Natural Flavor, Salt, Soy Lecithin.

My husband is not one to eat protein bars, but he liked them and was surprised at their creamy and not chalky texture. The bars tasted like their flavor indicated and they were nice and chocolaty.  He ate them for an afternoon snack and found they kept him full until dinner. He did say they were a little too sweet for his taste, but they didn't taste like a typical protein bar.  His favorite flavor was the cherry almond because he loves cherries.

These protein bars are marked gluten free and can be purchased at many Target, WalMart, & Whole Foods locations as well as other natural food stores.  The original Luna bar and Luna minis are not gluten-free.

Article Courtesy:  Jennifer Harris