Why Clif Bar Dropped Athletes in Dangerous Sports (2014)

Well, I suppose I am glad they are showing concern for safety, or at least the safety of their brand.

But I think that the elephant in the room is the actual nutritional value of Clif bars and similar kinds of "protein/energy" bars that are often sold by the case in "health food stores".

Because every time I inspect the ingredients list of these bars, they measure up as candy bars. They are junk food. They are highly processed and absolutely loaded with sugar. They may contain some wholesome ingredients which are overshadowed by the need for shelf stability and a thick glaze of chocolate shell.

Protein/energy bars may indeed be acceptable "sometimes foods" for hikers with weight-carrying restrictions, marathoners, or someone otherwise engaging in strenuous sports, but then again, maybe they should just have a good dinner of spaghetti and meatballs the night before.

The people who really purchase these bars on a regular basis are people who snack on them throughout the week, or bring them to their office job or pack them in kids' school lunches. And those are the last people who need a snack food that is highly processed and loaded with sugar and preservatives.