If you are looking for a convenient snack with extra protein, vitamins and minerals, you might be trying to choose between a Luna bar and a Zone Perfect Nutrition bar. Luna is a division of Clif Bar, and Zone Perfect is a division of Abbott Nutritionals, which also makes EAS sports nutrition supplements and Ensure dietary supplements.
Background
Luna bars are for helping women meet their nutritional needs, and at 48 g each, they are slightly smaller than the original 68 g Clif Bars. They come in flavors such as Blueberry Bliss, Peanut Butter Cookie, Lemon Zest and White Chocolate Macadamia. You can use Zone Perfect All-Natural Nutrition Bars as part of the Zone Diet, which means that at every meal and snack, your goal is to get 35 to 45 percent of your calories from carbohydrates, 25 to 35 percent of your calories from protein and 20 to 35 percent of your calories from fat. Flavors include Chocolate Almond Raisin, Cinnamon Roll and Fudge Graham.
Calories And Macronutrients
Luna and Zone bars are similar in their nutritional composition. The Luna bar has fewer calories than the Zone Perfect All-Natural Nutrition Bar, with about 170 compared to 210. Luna bars have about 5 g to 6 g total fat and 2 g saturated fat, while Zone bars have about 7 g fat and about 4 g heart-unhealthy saturated fat. Both bars are trans fat-free and nearly cholesterol-free, and they provide about 23 to 26 g carbohydrates. Luna bars have about 3 g dietary fiber, and Zone Perfect bars have 0 to 3 g of this healthy nutrient. Luna bars have about 9 g protein, and Zone Perfect bars have 14 to 15 g.
Vitamins and Minerals
Luna bars and Zone Perfect All-Natural Nutrition Bars are fortified, and most flavors have at least 10 percent of the daily value for most vitamins and many essential minerals. To meet the higher needs of women, Luna bars have extra calcium for bone health, iron for preventing iron-deficiency anemia and folate for reducing the risk of spinal tube birth defects. Zone Perfect bars provide 100 percent of the daily value for the antioxidant vitamins C and E.
Considerations
Both kinds of bars are convenient snacks that are all-natural without preservatives or artificial sweeteners. They both provide soy protein, and the bars can help you meet your nutrient requirements. The Berry Almond Luna Bar is not fortified with vitamins and minerals, so this bar could be a good choice if you already meet your needs from your regular diet or if you do not want to risk getting too much of a certain nutrient. Regardless of which bar you choose, remember that it is only a small part of your diet, which should emphasize healthy fresh foods from all of the food groups.
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