Nutrition Nugget! Bite-sized bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about B.T.R. Nation Bars and whether these so-called game-changing protein bars deserve a spot in your snack rotation. With flavors like strawberry shortcake and cinnamon cookie dough, these bars sound almost too good to be true—but are they actually good for you? Jenn takes a close look at what's inside the wrapper—from protein content to fat levels—and she's not holding back on her honest take. She'll walk you through which bars might work for your afternoon slump versus your post-workout recovery, and why the company's suggested uses might not match up with what your body actually needs. Plus, she's got some burning questions about those fresh ingredients and whether these bars qualify as a meal or a snack. Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday. Have an idea for a nutrition nugget? Submit it here: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/        

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B.T.R. Nation Bars

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Nutrition Nugget: B.T.R. Nation Bar

[00:00:36] Before we get too far into it, firstly a shout out to Courtney R, who sent us this one on the salad with a side of fries Instagram. So friends, if you have an idea for a nutrition nugget or an episode, send it over social media. You could do. A salad with a side of fries pod on Instagram or all social media at Gen Tpic, [00:01:00] J-E-N-N-T-R-E-P-E-C-K.

[00:01:20] So I wanna start with their website to get a lay of the land and the brand, and then we can look at the specifics now. Right on the homepage it says, nowhere refined sugar, wickedly clean, scary, delicious, better chocolate. And full disclosure, I kind of think this was like a Halloween promotion more than their regular branding.

[00:02:13] Now I keep scrolling on the homepage to get a little more about the company. It says, our mission is simple. Fix our broken food system, one snack at a time. I love that I am on board with, you know, some of their language choices in there. They go on to say a snack with purpose, because when we snack mindfully and we honor our bodies, we transform our mindset.

[00:03:09] They also talk about giving back to organizations. They're committed to cancer research and awareness. So cool. Cool. I get that. Let's go to the products. I'm still admittedly trying to figure out what BTR stands for, and like I said, it has periods, so I think it stands for something, but can't find that anywhere.

[00:03:56] Coconut cashew butter hearts. That is a [00:04:00] mouthful, no pun intended. Okay, so the picture that Courtney sent in the DM was the Superfood bar. So let's start there. The first one in this section of their website is the cinnamon cookie dough. So let's look at that. But first they say how to enjoy. It says Busy morning or afternoon.

[00:04:41] I personally and in the world that I live in and what I support with my clients and all of you, our podcast listeners, is that we generally want different things from a pre or post-workout food. We probably need different amounts of things. If we're looking for something to be a full [00:05:00] breakfast versus, you know, an afternoon, pick me up to get us, you know, over a few hours to the next meal.

[00:05:30] So right here in my world, this is a snack. That would probably last me about one to two hours. So the eight grams of protein is a little over an ounce, which is not a lot. That's a very small snack size. So that makes me think one hour. But adding to that with the seven grams of fiber and 10 grams of fat, that's how I get past that one hour mark to potentially, you know, two hours so far.

[00:06:34] I'm generally on board with all of these ingredients. I kind of wish there was more protein in there. I suppose that's probably the difference between this superfood bar and the high protein bar. I almost think, for what it's worth, calling this, a superfood bar may be aggressive in that phrasing, but it's okay.

[00:07:19] Looking at that one, their bestselling flavor is the peanut butter crunch. So I wanna look at that. By the way, they tout that it has sold out many times. There was over 2000 person wait list apparently. So let's see if this one works for us. Okay, interesting. They give the exact same uses or times to enjoy this high protein one as the Superfood bar.

[00:08:08] None of which are added sugar, and then 15 grams of protein. So now we have a snack that will last me two, maybe three hours given the fiber and the fat. And now that we have about two ounces of protein. With that said, the fat is higher than we would really like it to be, although we can see from the ingredients, you know where that's coming from.

[00:08:57] So this is interesting because that REI [00:09:00] extract, I haven't seen them talk about it in any of their benefits, and maybe it's just so low on the ingredient list that you know, you may not really notice a difference from it. But then why include it? I'm wondering, as I analyze this in real time with you, I'm wondering if that's part of the flavor, but then, I don't know, could be an expensive ingredient, but it's low on the list.

[00:09:47] I don't think I would make this a post-workout. Maybe a pre-workout, you know, I think that afternoon slump, but then again, just recognize that it's giving us probably more fat than we're looking for. And is that the fat [00:10:00] that we really wanna make an effort to level up. More than anything. I'm curious if you've tried them because they have some very interesting flavors.

[00:10:29] And it doesn't say dried strawberries. So I'm curious how long these last, like do you find them going bad? Quickly anyway, if you've tried them, let us know. I think I'll try BTR nation bars if I see them. You know, like I said, add 'em into the mix on occasion. Why not? They can servee a purpose and I'm on board with a lot of what they have.

[00:11:12] Just truly appreciate you. No, thank you. Appreciate you as well, and maybe someday I'll be able to have you on as a guest on my podcast too. I would love that. Alright, friends, if you are not already a member, join the Happy Healthy Hub. You'll go to a salad with a side of fries.com/membership. This shows your support for this podcast, this community, and of course, your health.

[00:11:51] Thanks so much for joining us. Be sure to click subscribe or follow on your favorite podcast platform. Share us with a friend and we'll be back next week. Always [00:12:00] remember you deserve it and you are worth it. Happy, healthy.