Clif Bar’s new Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut has been one of the most delicious bars I have had the pleasure of reviewing. Clif Bar has always provided tasty and nutritious energy bars for my rides, but the new Chocolate Hazelnut flavor has changed my notion of what a great protein bar can taste like. No longer is a flavor kind-of-sort-of tasty, but this new flavor from Clif Bar tastes just like a chocolate hazelnut spread that so many of us love to indulge in.
In addition to carbohydrates for energy, they also contain protein for muscle building and repair. Take these two facets of the design of a Clif Bar Builder’s bar and make it low glycemic, you will have a long lasting source of energy. Each Clif Bar Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut bar packs 20 grams of protein (40% of your recommended daily allowance), 28 grams of total carbohydrates (9% of your recommended daily allowance) and zero grams of trans fat. The Clif Bar Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut bar does not contain any partially hydrogenated oils nor does it contain high fructose corn syrup.
As I’ve undertaken a new training plan, I now push myself harder and more often than before. This leads to an increased need for energy as well as repair/recovery. Many of us have had the experience where we push a little too hard or ride a little too far without monitoring our dietary needs. Not too long ago I managed to get myself a bit lost with strong headwinds and a lot of climbing to get back to my starting point. I wanted to “just get through it” and ignored my need to eat, then realized I was getting cranky from hunger so I pulled off to eat. Normally, I dread the thought of a “chocolate-like” flavor, or an overly sweet gel or fruit chew. I had put the Clif Bar Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut in my saddlebag as a “just in case” food, and am pleased to say the Clif Bar Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut bar was not only satisfying to the taste buds, but was exactly what I needed at that time.
The Clif Bar Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut bar has a nice firm texture with an initial soft feeling when you first bite in. This combination runs a nice compromise between bars that are gooey and other bars that are incredibly tough to chew. The flavor is spot on, not overdone where you become nauseous from an overpowering flavor, yet not so subtle that it is to be described as bland. The chocolate is a wonderful consistency where it isn’t so thick that it smears all over your fingers, and the aftertaste is simply wonderful.
After finishing the Clif Bar Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut bar, I remounted my bike and felt much, much better. I completed the rest of my ride with a sense of wonder and contentment as to how the Clif Bar Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut bar hit the mark spot on with flavor, texture and nutrition. The Clif Bar Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut bar has changed my understanding of just how good a bar can be, it is now one of my go-to staples for my rides.
Please Note: The Clif Bar Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut does contain allergens. The Chocolate Hazelnut bar contains soy, almonds and hazelnuts. The bar may contain traces of milk, wheat and other tree nuts.
For further information on the Clif Bar Builder’s Chocolate Hazelnut bar and other products from Clif Bar, please visit www.clifbar.com
– Alex (Dos)
I also dig the Builders bars. Between my regular food diet, protein shakes, and supplements I eat these to get my daily protein intake to where it needs to be.