The Sleuth considers ''energy bars'' as the kind of processed pseudo-food that she does not eat. For portable protein, she tosses some almonds in a plastic bag.
But the Sleuth has a teenager who, along with four friends, was happy to taste-test four of these products.
Only one is marketed as high protein, a category that is apparently popular among athletes and some vegetarians. Along this line, a reader asked about the safety of protein powders that her sons are using as a supplement. We were interested to find that ''surprisingly little is known about protein and health,'' according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
An adult needs about 7 grams of protein daily per 20 pounds of body weight. But can a person eat too much protein? Digesting lots of protein requires lots of calcium, some of which may be pulled from bone. Over the long term, this could weaken the skeletal system, according to the Harvard site.
The bars our teens tested weren't all high-protein, but they were good sources of other nutrients. One big caveat: They contained 18 to 22 grams of sugars. The FDA suggests limiting added sugars to 40 grams a day for a 2,000-calorie diet.
Balance Nutrition Energy Bar/High Protein -- chocolate
Cost: $1.39 for 1.76 ounces.
The claim: High protein; ''40/30/30 nutrition'' (40 percent of calories from carbs, 30 percent from protein and 30 percent from dietary fat).
Nutrition: 200 calories, 14 g protein, 6 g fat (3.5 g saturated), 50 percent of daily value of Vitamin A, 100 percent of daily value of Vitamins C and E. Least fiber of all bars tested, with 1 g, or 4 percent of daily value. 18 g sugars, lowest of all the bars.
The Verdict: A hit. Two young men said it was their favorite with a ''smooth texture'' and fudgy or candy-bar taste.
Grade: A
Power Bar Harvest Whole Grain Double Chocolate Crisp
Cost: $1.60 for 2.29 ounces
The claim: 10 grams of protein; ``whole grain.''
Nutrition: 250 calories, 10 g protein, 5 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 80 percent of daily value of Vitamins C, E and B12, 40 percent daily value of calcium. 20 g sugars.
The verdict: Like a chocolate Rice Krispie bar; good ratings from about half the testers, with the rest saying that it was ''too dry'' and ``hard to chew.''
Grade: B.
Clif Bar Chocolate Brownie
Cost: $1.29 for 2.4 ounces
The claim: ``Organic oats and soybeans.''
Nutrition: 240 calories, 10 g protein, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 100 percent of Vitamins C and E, 30 percent of Vitamin A, 5 g fiber (20 percent of daily value). 22 g sugars.
The verdict: Tasters liked the chocolate flavor and brownie-like texture.
Grade: A
Odwalla Bar Choco-walla
Cost: $1.39 for 2.2 ounces
The claim: ``Excellent source of antioxidants, beta carotene, Vitamins C and E.''
Nutrition: 240 calories, 6 g fat (2 g saturated), 5 g protein, 25 percent of daily value of Vitamin A (100 percent as beta carotene); 50 percent daily value of Vitamin E, 25 percent daily value of calcium, 20 percent daily value of Vitamin C, 5 g fiber (20 percent of daily value). 20 g sugars.
The verdict: Two young women rated this as their favorite because ''chocolate chips are actually in it.'' But two young men rated it as the worst, with one saying that it ``tastes like sawdust.''
Grade: C
Note: Available only at Whole Foods.
The bottom line: You'll get important nutrients from these bars -- along with about half the amount of sugar you should eat for the day. And note the price: $10 a pound or more.
• Have a product you want tested? Email glehman@MiamiHerald.com
