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We Ate It: Gnu Bars, with 50% of Your Daily Fiber

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By: Stepfanie Romine : 3/5/2009 2:04:47 PM : 120 comments

Do you have a hard time getting adequate fiber?

We're keen on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, so getting adequate fiber isn't usually a problem. However, many of us don�t get the much-needed 25 to 30 grams recommended daily for a healthy diet.

Why is fiber so important? In addition to keeping you regular (thus improving your mood, some say!), fiber can also help aid in weight loss, reduce your risk of heart disease, lower your blood pressure, manage diabetes, prevent certain kinds of cancer and reduce hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. (Find out more about fiber's myriad health benefits in our Fiber Reference Guide.)

Recently, we tried a variety of Gnu Bars. These bars boast that they're high in fiber but don't taste like cardboard, which many people associate with fiber. Find out more.

What they say:
"One Gnu Bar a day gives you 12 grams of seriously good-for-you soluble and insoluble fiber. That's nearly 50% of your Daily Value of fiber in a delicious and healthy bar!"

High Fiber

Only 130 - 140 Calories (varies by flavor)

Fruit Juice Sweetened

Made with Organic Whole Wheat Flour

Made with Aluminum-Free Baking Powder

Loaded with both Soluble and Insoluble Fiber
Vegan

Kosher - OU-D

What we say:
Named for an African animal with an ox-like head, horse-like mane and horns like a buffalo, Gnu Bars are appropriate for people who don't get enough fiber. If you already meet or exceed your fiber requirements, adding another 12 grams (about 50% of your Daily Value) all at once could be hard on your stomach.

A couple of our testers are sensitive to inulin, a source of fiber used in the Gnu bars. They had "gurgly-wurgly" stomachs for much of the afternoon but no dire side effects.

That said, we liked these bars.

Close up of the orange cranberry bar

The Chocolate Brownie bar had a nice, rich chocolate flavor. It is thick and chewy, as I'd expect, but I'm a fan of that texture. (It reminds me of Larabars, which I LOVE!) They are dense and quite filling. I would eat this again.

The Orange Cranberry was our least favorite flavor. No tester liked it very much, but we all conceded that we're not "orange people." If you like orange flavors, you might like this one.

Banana Walnut was good, like a vegan banana bread. It was sweet but not overly so, and it had recognizable chunks of walnut. The banana tasted real!

The Cinnamon Raisin bar was tasty, like a dense muffin. It was filling and I'd definitely eat it again. I usually get a decent amount of fiber, so I didn't notice whether it made me more regular. If I had trouble eating enough fiber, I'd choose a Gnu bar over powders or pills any day!

You can find Gnu bars with other energy and granola bars at your local supermarket. Find a store near you.

Each bar is $1.99, but I've noticed that most grocery stores have at least one variety of bars on sale each week. A 16-pack is $23.99, meaning you save 25% per bar.

Have you tried Gnu bars? Will you? Do you get enough fiber each day?

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Comments (Scroll to end to leave a comment)

FOUNDER3 11/2/2009 1:12:28 PM	I am late to this post,but I think they are too expensive to even try. Has anything changed in the way of sales since March?	120
LIVINGONMYTERMS 10/28/2009 6:13:06 PM	I have never seen them or heard of them. Interesting since I have a fiber problem. I wonder if wal-mart carries them, guess I will check it out. I doubt it though.	119
SOONERGAL_CHELL 10/27/2009 8:38:00 AM	OMgosh! I've been eating these for over a year now and absolutely LOVE them. Having Hashimoto's Disease and Fibromyalgia, I'm always in need of enough fiber. These get the job done. I personally like the Orange Cranberry, but then again I like Orange and Cranberry. The Banana Nut is my next favorite... just like Banana Bread but without the guilt LOL! So glad you did a blog on these!	118
NICOLEMARIE0304 8/19/2009 1:23:26 PM	Trader Joe's carries these, but I've only tried the Chocolate Brownie bar. They are super delicious :)	117
100LBLIGHTER 7/24/2009 1:41:44 AM	I could not get the link to "find a store near you" to work. It said there was and error. I would like to know where to find the Gnu Bars.	116
BERTHAR 7/22/2009 9:25:27 PM	Never heard of these bars. What stores carry this product?	115
WEIGHTWATCHER72 7/22/2009 11:33:01 AM	I think these look great.....but there are a few too many carbs. in them for me....I follow a 'low carb' diet.	114
BARBEQUESUE 7/22/2009 7:32:19 AM	Thanks for the article...I've never tried them, but I did know what a GNU was. LOL If I should catch these on sale, will give them a try. Fiber (knock on wood) is not issue for me, but I like a tasty treat treat now and then. Have a great day! :o)	113
KRISPY6372 4/2/2009 3:40:17 PM	i love gnu bars - though the only flavors I can recommend are the cinnamon raisin and the banana. If you stick to those they are good. The other flavors are pretty disgusting.	112
CHARLIESANGEL7 3/17/2009 5:45:22 PM	I can't wait to try these!	111
SBHPATRICK 3/14/2009 6:42:15 PM	I get plenty of fiber in my daily diet, but when I'm traveling it's harder to work it in. I love these Gnu bars and take them with me when I'm on the road, using them as a breakfast substitute or a mid-day snack.	110
IFFILAYO 3/10/2009 4:01:39 PM	I picked some of these up at Whole Foods the other day and have been adding them in regularly to my diet. They're delicious and now that I think about it, I've definitely been more regular :o) I love the BANANA WALNUT BAR, which tastes very similar to the CLIF BAR version, but has a 100 less calories than the Clif Bar version. I've been having one or two of the Gnu bars for lunch, with a serving of fruit. Because of the extra fiber, they're very filling, so I don't feel as if I've missed out on a meal. I actually like the Orange Cranberry Bar, as well, but I just love fruits, so anything fruity usually works for me. The Cinnamon Raisin Bar tastes just like a cinnamon raisin muffin and the Chocolate Brownie Bar tastes has the taste of a chocolate brownie with the consistency of a whole wheat muffin. I can't say about the Peanut Butter Bar because I'm allergic to peanuts :o/	109
AMETHYSTD 3/10/2009 11:17:33 AM	Correction, "built in *25% off then an additional 20% off with the code."	108
AMETHYSTD 3/10/2009 11:16:05 AM	I have a tough time getting my daily allotment of fiber. My doctor recommended fiber supplements. That's helped but I'm still not regularly reaching my goal. Based on your review, I went to their website and read more about the bars (no high fructose corn syrup, by the way JulCat51). Because the ingredients aren't as processed as other snacks and will actually aid me in my fiber goal, I decided to buy boxes of those I know I would like. (It helps that I'm not a particularly picky eater and that these will be a perfect breakfast for me when paired up with some yogurt or peanut butter and milk.) Lastly, I did a discount search online to see if anyone was getting a discount for reviewing and sending readers to Gnu and found one blogger that was ( http://www.skinnyandthecity.com/gnu -and-improved-snack /). Enter the discount code "Skinny" ad receive 20% off. So in other words, I bought the boxes, received their built in 20% off then used the code and received another 20% off. Hope this helps others.	107
CHILDBRIDE 3/9/2009 11:17:49 PM	I have not seen these in the store, which stores carry them. I will try them if I can find them	106
LIZ0729 3/9/2009 11:11:36 AM	I tried the peanut butter bar and was surprised that I really liked it. I have a hard time finding bars like these that I will actually eat. I tried it one afternoon at work when I was craving a snack and it filled me up!	105
SPARK4LIFE1 3/9/2009 5:36:43 AM	Why are they not listed in the foods to calculate into favorites and calories? I have used them too!	104
JENNIFER_71 3/8/2009 6:19:40 PM	I haven't seen these and I'm ok with that. Inulin and I don't get along.	103
JENNIFER_71 3/8/2009 6:18:44 PM	I haven't seen these and I'm ok with that. Inulin and I don't get along.	102
JGOLFER 3/8/2009 5:04:55 PM	The Banana Walnut and Cinnamon Raisin are delicious.	101
PAMZIA 3/8/2009 3:52:11 PM	I have tried all flavors and it's a good product, a bit sweetish. No digestive discomfort but too much like a snack food and I can't have snacks around, makes it too easy to overeat..	100
SAMMIE200718 3/8/2009 1:14:22 AM	Any time I eat a fiber bar or something high in fiber, it ALWAYS makes me gassy...and fart-y...which isn't good when you wait tables for a living...so I don't really get fiber in. But i feel like i need to, i eat the fiber one bars. love 'em!	99
DREAMINDIGO 3/7/2009 11:47:14 PM	yummy	98
*AMBER512 3/7/2009 1:15:30 PM	That is pretty spendy. Plus I usually get 40-50 grams of fiber a day, so I certainly don't need the extra help!	97
THOMS1 3/7/2009 12:49:29 PM	No, I wouldn't try them cause for one thing that is way too much money and for another I find if I eat the right foods I have no trouble getting my fiber.	96
RAINMUSIC 3/7/2009 12:26:27 PM	Two bucks is way too much to pay for a cookie, no matter how healthy it claims to be. I can buy a lot of high-fiber grain or produce for two bucks.	95
WISEWIFE 3/7/2009 10:17:14 AM	1 bar has almost my total daily allowance of carbs, I'll pass.	94
CYND59 3/6/2009 10:59:26 PM	Yes, I have tried them. I love them. I do not have any trouble getting in enough fiber everyday in fact I usually end up going over in recommended fiber!	93
DOGCHILDSMOMMY 3/6/2009 10:34:44 PM	I have tried both the Orange-Cranberry and the Peanut Butter.(None of the others flavors appealed to me.) I liked them both very much.	92
MOMSHOME 3/6/2009 10:21:10 PM	I tried these ONCE!!! ?Enough said?	91
ANNIEMARIE6 3/6/2009 8:47:00 PM	I never tried a gnu bar or even heard of them before.I don't usually like these kinds of bars, but i will try it.	90
JAZZERCISEGENIE 3/6/2009 8:38:16 PM	First I will check out the price. Then will see.	89
KAICEA 3/6/2009 8:08:50 PM	I have bought these online from http://www.gnufoods.com/jof/login/l ogin.cfm?accessdenied=%2Fjof%2Finde x.cfm . They will ship them for less than you pay in the store and they come right to your door!	88
SUNNYARIZONA 3/6/2009 7:21:56 PM	I don't like to eat snack bars that don't have some BENEFIT to my body. THESE with the fiber are excellet. To get my amt. of protein when I have a snack like this, I would also have a stick of low fat string cheese. Gives me about 10 mg. which completes this snack!	87
MDTWEETY 3/6/2009 6:10:29 PM	Never tried a Gnu bar. But I might...	86
JAN1108 3/6/2009 4:39:53 PM	These have been in my cupboard for 2 years. I love them! My fave? I can't choose, I like them all. Best tasting fiber around. ;-)	85
JUSTME52 3/6/2009 4:37:06 PM	Wow the sodium is low! I will try these and hope my tummy doesn't do the "gurgly-wurgly" christena	84
CHRIS3215 3/6/2009 4:23:35 PM	I tried them the Banana one I like the flavor but the sugar is way too much for me..I dont eat sugar.	83
MOMS100 3/6/2009 3:42:22 PM	Just made a trip to the natural food store to look them up. Tried the banana walnut, which was very good. I picked up a chocolate for my DH. However, at $1.99 a whack, it's doubtful that we'll be eating many.	82
KWYET1 3/6/2009 3:41:28 PM	Yes, I had been enjoying both the chocolate and banana...1 per day as a snack..but then I noticed in my 'daily report' that I am getting 'too much fiber'..so I had to stop. Apparently, I get too much fiber, even without them. At first I thought putting all this fiber into food was a good thing....but now, I'm starting to wonder. (It's even in ice cream!!)	81
SPARKLESSENCE 3/6/2009 2:12:20 PM	Hmm...given the cost, I'll stick to my "buddies," i.e., Bran Buds :)	80
MSILVER94 3/6/2009 2:00:45 PM	They have me interested and there is a store near me! I think I will try it...	79
KHALIA2 3/6/2009 1:39:19 PM	I look for foods that will give me enough fiber daily. I do the fruits and vegetables but this will give me a variety. Will look for it soon. Thanks!	78
LASHARINK 3/6/2009 1:37:07 PM	Even with all of the fruit and vegetables I eat daily along with oatmeal, etc., I've been having a difficult time meeting the minimum fiber requirements, so I think I'll give these a try. Thanks for the information.	77
JEWITCH 3/6/2009 1:12:15 PM	I will stick to Fiber One bars.	76
BMARYGIRL 3/6/2009 1:06:09 PM	I get so much fiber in my diet, I have to cut back. In addition, I'm gluten free. I did find a bar I love. It is by NuGo. They have 3 flavors. They are gluten free, soy free and dairy free. While they do not have 50% of daily fiber needs, they do have 20%. They are also kosher and vegan. The vegan part is also important to me, because I also have problems with xanthan gum.	75
SERENITYATLAST 3/6/2009 12:26:10 PM	try "Fiber One" bars if you need to up your fiber. Only 140 cal. ; 35% daily fiber, 9g fiber; 2g protein and 10g sugar; 29g carbohydrates; I realize the sugar content and or carbs might be too high for some people, but for the money, and as a supplement to normal fiber intake, they're economical (I buy them when the store has two for one sales! Or at Sam's club), and tastes great. I like the oats & chocolate, it has alot of chocolate chips and relieves my sweet tooth!	74
NELLIEC 3/6/2009 12:20:52 PM	I have not tried these -- though I feel that getting 12 grams of fiber all at once might not be such a good idea, since I already get a fair amount of fiber daily. (I hate it when I have to go on a clear liquid diet for certain tests.) One thing I noticed is that it does not list potassium like many packaged foods. Even if something has no potassium, I would like to see potassium added to the required nutrients to list, so I know for sure. I find it very annoying when a food has ingredients that obviously do have a fair amount of potassium and yet there is no information on that on the label! Grrrrr!!!	73
KNH771 3/6/2009 12:07:41 PM	I struggle to get my fiber in each day, but this option won't work for me. Far too much sugar. My doc would hit me upside the head! There are some Atkins bars with similar fiber amounts and a third of the sugar.	72
BETTINANA 3/6/2009 12:00:27 PM	I LOVE Gnu bars. I crumble them over a little plain nonfat yogurt for a fiber and calcium filled breakfast. I am indeed an orange person, and think the orange-cranberry flavor is delicious. Though they may not have as much selection as other bar brands, they keep it simple and do their flavors extremely well.	71