Clif Bars and Bloks

Summary

For providing energy before exercise (Energy Bars), maintaining energy during exercise (Bloks) and re-fuelling after exercise (Nut Bar).

Pros

Good tasting, organic.
Bloks, good idea, easier to carry than gels.
Natural ingredients, no hydrogenated fats.
Suitable for vegans. Dairy/egg/wheat free.
Ingredients such as flax and oats provide essential fatty acids, the building blocks of protein.
Reasonably priced.

Cons

The energy bars have a chewy texture, which I enjoyed, but others may prefer a more 'crunchy' texture.
The Shot Bloks had a great taste, some may find them hard to chew and swallow.

Clif Energy Bars

I tried Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter. Both flavours tasted nice, and I liked the puffed soy in the bars, which added a crunchy element to the overall chewy texture. I took the bar as a snack after breakfast and an hour before running 10k. I definitely noticed that my energy was sustained throughout. The bars offer a source of complex carbs in the form of oats, which give the body a constant supply of of fuel, unlike some overly processed products containing high amounts of processed sugars. I would also recommend these bars as the perfect snack to take on other lower intensity sports such as walking and hiking.

Clif Bar Energy Bar
£2.19

Clif Shot Bloks

I tried Strawberry and Tropical flavours. A great idea, these are easy to carry, fitting into just one pocket. I recently used them in the Cardiff Half, and found them much quicker and easier to take than gels, although, the bloks must always be taken with water. During the Half, I was taking one at every water stop. It is recommended that you take them during activity (3-6, or as desired) and fifteen minutes before.

Clif Shot Bloks
£3.59

Clif Bar Nut Butter Filled

I tried Chocolate Hazelnut, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Peanut. A surprisingly delicious protein bar, as often they can be fairly unpleasant! The Chocolate Hazelnut was my favourite. The protein in the bars is pea-based, meaning you are getting important fibre alongside protein. Also, there are rolled oats and oat flour in the bars, which are excellent sources of minerals (manganese, phosporus, magnesium, copper iron and zinc) and vitamins (B1 and B5). These are necessary for many processes in the body, especially for runners as they help to maintain stable blood sugar levels. It's great to get such a delicious protein bar that is also vegan.

Clif Bar Nut Butter Filled
£2.79

Verdict

I would recommend the Clif range for running and many other sports. I particularly like that the products contain natural ingredients are are made with care and compassion. The sugars used in the range are also unrefined, meaning that they are unbleached, and contain the B vitamins naturally present in sugar cane, prior to processing, which is much better for our bodies. The Clif products are definitely worth trying, and come highly recommended by me!