Review: Clif Builders vs. PowerBar Protein Plus

This year, protein has become a big part of my recovery after long runs or any other hard workout. I find that if I have a protein bar or shake immediately after I get back from my run, I feel a huge difference in my legs the next day. The Running Times has a great article (see it here) on protein which also has a formula for calculating how much carbs and protein you need post-run.

Most of the time I don't really feel like eating right after my run, so I've tried a few different products to see which I can get down quickly AND don't bother my stomach too much. Nowadays I alternate between bars and shakes for variety, but today I'm reviewing two protein bars:

• PowerBar Protein Plus in Cappuccino Caramel Crisp
• Clif Builders Bar in Chocolate

PowerBar Protein Plus
PowerBar boasts proteins from 3 difference sources: whey, milk and soy. The bar is covered in chocolate, and most of it is a soft, nougat like-layer. There is a crispy layer on top but it's very light--almost like a very thin layer of Rice Krispies with a little bit of caramel.

Rest Day Review: PowerBar Fruit Gel vs. Kinetica Energy Gel

Now that I'm finally doing long runs again, I've started testing energy gels. I've used a variety of different gels before, but I'm always interested in trying new ones. And luckily, I've never had any stomach problems...yet! A few weeks ago, I reviewed the High5 Isogel with Caffeine and since then I've also tried the PowerBar Fruit Gel with Guarana and the Kinetica Hydrating Energy Gel.

PowerBar Fruit Gel with Guarana
I've used PowerBar gels before and they've always worked well, so I thought it would be nice to try the new fruit gel. Mango Passion Fruit sounded yummy, and the fruit gel is supposed to have a slightly thinner consistency than the regular.

I used this gel on a 13 mile run--my second gel at the 8 mile mark. No problems with the package, and I though the mango passion fruit flavor tasted really good. As with other PowerBar gels I find they are a bit saltier than some, but this doesn't bother me and is probably due to the higher sodium levels. It has been so long since I've used gels that I couldn't tell if this one was actually thinner than the other PB ones. However, to me they are definitely thinner than some of the other gels out there (eg SIS GO gels) and the small pack size (41g vs the typical 60g) means there is less to go down anyway. You do have to take this gel with about 150ml of water.

I felt an energy boost soon after taking the PB gel, and feel like it gave me extra energy through the final miles. I didn't feel too full after taking it and had no stomach issues.