The taste panel

Martin Gottlob,
Ultra-endurance runner

Joseph Martin,
Pan Pacific Singapore F&B director

Png Weilee,
Singapore Sports Council
head sports nutritionist

PowerBar Performance
(vanilla crisp)

65g, $3.75.

Nutritional info:
230 calories
2g fat
45g carbs
8g protein

Use it:
To top up energy during endurance training; as a post-exercise recovery snack.

Ratings
Gottlob: 3. 'Good mixture of ingredients, but overpriced. A bit dry, so eat it with lots of water. I'd use bananas and gels instead of this bar for a race, though.'

Martin: 3

Png: 3.

Clif Bar
(oatmeal raisin walnut)

68g, $4.30.

Nutritional info:
240 calories
5g fat
43g carbs
10g protein

Use it:
As a recovery snack.

Ratings
Gottlob: 4.

Martin: 4.

Png: 2.'Very sweet, tastes floury, but easier to chew than PowerBar.'

PowerBar Pria
(mint chocolate cookie)

28g, $2.03.

Nutritional info:
110 calories
3.5g fat
15g carbs
5g protein

Use it:
As a snack - but not if you're trying to lose weight because of high fat content per serving.

Ratings
Gottlob: 2

Martin: 4. 'Nice texture, good taste, well-mixed and looks good. Great for hunger pangs, but I don't think it makes a good sports bar.'

Png: 4.

Zone Perfect
(fudge graham)

50g, $6.50.

Nutritional info:
210 calories
7g fat
23g carbs
14g protein

Use it:
For post-exercise recovery or as a snack - but not for weight-watchers.

Ratings
Gottlob: 3.'Dry, chocolatey taste. Expensive, bulky and will melt if not in the fridge. Better eaten after exercise.'

Martin: 5.

Png: 2.

EAS Myoplexcarb control
(cookies & cream)

70g, $8.50.

Nutritional info:
260 calories
8g fat
26g carbs
25g protein

Use it:
For post-exercise recovery.

Ratings
Gottlob: 2.

Martin: 3.'Tastes okay, but it seems more like a dense sponge cake that has been pressed down into a tray.'

Png: 2.

iSS Oh Yeah! Natural
(peanut butter chocolate chip)

46g, $6.95.

Nutritional info:
200 calories
7g fat
19g carbs
14g protein

Use it:
For post-exercise recovery.

Ratings
Gottlob: 1.

Martin: 4.

Png: 1.'Tastes awful! Metallic taste and bitter aftertaste. Too dry and difficult to chew and swallow. I wouldn't use this bar on any occasion!'

Real Energy Bar
(almonds & apricots in yoghurt)

30g, $1.90.

Nutritional info:
145 calories
9.5g fat
12.3g carbs
2.7g protein

Use it:
As a'feel good' snack and if you're allergic to wheat or gluten. Not for weight-watchers

Ratings
Gottlob: 4.

Martin: 5.'Good taste and texture, and a nice balance of fruit and nut. Looks great with yoghurt and easy to digest.'

Png: 4.

Wallaby Bar
(macadamia & cashew)

40g, $3.15.

Nutritional info:
199 calories
13g fat
16g carbs
5g protein

Use it:
As a'feel good' snack and if you're allergic to wheat or gluten. Not for weight-watchers.

Ratings
Gottlob: 3.'Dry and very nutty. Low GI and high-fibre so not good if you need energy fast. Better as a healthy snack.'

Martin: 3.

Png: 1.

Soyjoy
(raisin almond)

30g, $1.90.

Nutritional info:
136 calories 7.2g fat
11.7g carbs
4.5g protein

Use it:
As a snack - but not for weight-watchers as it's very high in fat.

Ratings
Gottlob: 2.

Martin: 2.'Too dry, too dark in colour. The taste and texture remind me of Christmas cake.'

Png: 3.

Snickers almond

50g, $1.60.

Nutritional info:
230 calories
11g fat
32g carbs
3g protein

Use it:
As a'feel good' snack - but not for weight-watchers.

Ratings
Gottlob: 3.'Tastes okay. Bulky and will melt if not in the fridge. High in fat, so better as a sweet treat once in a while.'

Martin: 5.

Png: 4.

Alpen Light
(apple & sultana)

21g, $7.25 for six-pack.

Nutritional info:
59 calories
0.8g fat
11.8g carbs

Use it:
As quick energy during endurance training or racing; as part of a low-calorie diet typical of athletes in aesthetic sports.

Ratings
Gottlob: 4.

Martin: 3.

Png: 4.'Good serving size. Crisp, not too sweet, tastes pleasant and looks appealing.'

Nature Valley
(oats 'n honey)

42g, $6.30 for six-pack.

Nutritional info:
180 calories
6g fat
29g carbs
4g protein

Use it:
As a pre- or post-exercise snack.

Ratings
Gottlob: 3.

Martin: 2.

Png: 3.'Very crunchy like a cookie, a distinct contrast from the other bars. But it's difficult to eat in the middle of a run.'

Quaker Chewy granola bar
(cookies & cream)

24g, $7.80 for 10-pack.

Nutritional info:
90 calories
2.5g fat
18g carbs
1g protein

Use it:
As quick energy during endurance training or racing; as a pre- or post-exercise snack

Ratings
Gottlob: 3.'Good serving size and cheaper than other energy bars. But it's quite dry, so eat it with a lot of water.'

Martin: 2.

Png: 4.

NOTE: Values listed for each bar may vary slightly depending on flavour.

All photos credit to ST, Mugilan, Rajasegeran

This article was first published in The Straits Times on November 22, 2008.