These days, one has so many options to choose from when it comes to meal and energy bars. While looking for a meal bar with a less-processed ingredient list, we discovered PROBAR (and their new, snack-size bars, Fruition). Both the PROBARs and Fruition bars are made from whole-food, organic ingredients. Started in 2001 by Art Eggertsen, after being disappointed with the available options for energy bars. The perfect necessity as the mother of invention story.

The PROBAR is definitely a meal in itself, with between 350-400 calories per bar, and anywhere from 8-12 grams of protein per serving. They come in a variety of flavors: Whole Berry Blast, Art’s Original Blend, Koka Moka, Cherry Pretzel, Maple Pecan, and Apple Cinnamon Crunch, just to name a few. The most popular (and widely available) flavors seem to be the Whole Berry Blast and Art’s Original Blend, though my personal favorites have been the Cran-Lemon Twister and Superfood Slam. As for the Fruition bars, they are a new product from PROBAR, after requests to provide a snack-size bar for those times when you need some extra fuel, but don’t want all the calories. With only 160 calories, these fruit-based superfood bars are smaller, have fewer ingredients (but pack a punch with lots of antioxidants and fatty acids), and come in four flavors: blueberry, strawberry, cran-raspberry, and peach (The blueberry and peach flavors were my favorite.) An added bonus: the Fruition bars are vegan and made with mostly organic ingredients.

On the trail, the PROBARs are great for a quick breakfast, especially on those mornings when you don’t want to have to start up the stove (or wash dishes), and are certainly more tasty and filling than freeze-dried eggs. I found they provided enough fuel to get going, even on sluggish mornings. And unlike other bars, which look like dense bricks with no identifiable ingredients, it’s easy to identify the almonds, cashews, oats, raisins, or chocolate chips (or carob, depending on the flavor) that go into the bar.

You can find PROBARs nationwide in Whole Foods, REI, or possibly even your local health food shop, and they are available online to buy as well. I myself have spotted them in REI alongside Clif and Luna bars. However, they are definitely worth the effort to find if you are looking for a meal bar that is made with whole, un-processed ingredients (and don’t have the time to make something in your own kitchen). The PROBAR retails for $3.49 each; the Fruition bars are $2.29. Both are available in money-saving 12-bar boxes, as well.