It has been long known that Luna bars were off limits to those on the gluten-free diet due to oats and/or barley malt in the bars. Yes, some oats are considered gluten-free, but those that are, go through a different process so that they are not contaminated with gluten-containing grains. Just recently I blogged about the new Luna Protein Bars over on Celiac-Disease.com. Recently I was sent some samples from the nice people at Clif to review.
There are 5 different flavors of Luna Protein Bars:
- Mint Chocolate Chip -Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Coating (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Organic Vanilla Extract), Vegetable Glycerin, Inulin (Chicory Extract), Chocolate Chips (Evaporated Cane Juice, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors), Cocoa Soy Rice Crisps ((Soy Protein Isolate, Organic Rice Flour, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Alkalized Cocoa), Natural Flavors, Macadamia Nut Butter, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Water, Salt, Soy Lecithin.
- Cookie Dough -Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Coating (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Organic Vanilla Extract), Chocolate Chips (Evaporated Cane Juice, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors), Inulin (Chicory Extract), Vegetable Glycerin, Macadamia Nut Butter, Natural Flavors, Cocoa Soy Rice Crisp (Soy Protein Isolate, Organic Rice Flour, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Alkalized Cocoa), Salt, Soy Lecithin.
- Chocolate -Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Coating (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Organic Vanilla Extract), Vegetable Glycerin, Inulin (Chicory Extract), Chocolate Chips (Evaporated Cane Juice, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors), Cocoa Soy Rice Crisps (Soy Protein Isolate, Organic Rice Flour, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Alkalized Cocoa), Macadamia Nut Butter, Natural Flavors, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Water, Salt, Soy Lecithin.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter -Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Coating (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Organic Vanilla Extract), Peanuts, Organic Peanut Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Inulin (Chicory Extract), Natural Flavors, Soy Rice Crisp (Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Flour,), Salt, Soy Lecithin, Almonds.
- Chocolate Cherry Almond -Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Coating (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin And Organic Vanilla Extract), Inulin (Chicory Extract), Almonds, Macadamia Nut Butter, Dried Cherries, Soy Rice Crisp (Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Flour, Natural Flavor, Salt, Soy Lecithin.
I have been able to work my way through most of the flavors listed above and have fallen in love with the Mint Chocolate Chip. The mint bars is reminiscent of a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie! Oh, how I have missed those! Not only is the bar gluten-free, but much healthier than a bunch of cookies, too! The these bars don’t taste like they are full of chemicals like some off the protein bars on the market. More about the Luna Protein Bars:
At the beginning of 2011 we started to transition the entire Luna Protein line to be gluten free. To do this, Clif Bar & Company has looked at all aspects of making our bars. Our ingredient suppliers have confirmed that all ingredients are gluten free, so they contain no gluten from wheat, rye or barely. Where we make our food is capable of making a gluten free food and we test our finished products to confirm that they are gluten free.
Our newest flavors, Mint Chocolate Chip and Chocolate, are already on the shelf and labeled as gluten free bars.
As of March, 2011, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough, and Chocolate Cherry Almond will be transitioning to be gluten free, as well. We removed the barley malt extract, a potential gluten concern, from the rice crisps in Chocolate Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cherry Almond flavors. The new gluten free product will hit shelves as soon as March. You can tell if your LUNA Protein bar is gluten free by looking at the packaging.
While I prefer to eat whole, unprocessed foods, it is nice to have this option to keep in my purse when I am running around or on the road. Having a “safe” food choice that provides close to 200 calories and 12 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber is important and much better than grabbing a bag of chips & a soda.
Luna Protein Bars can be purchased at stores across the US and online. Make sure that the bars you purchase and/or eat say “gluten-free” on the wrapper. The old version of the protein bars were not gluten-free; the new bars clearly state that they are on the wrapper. The bars cost roughly $1.25/each or $14.95 for a box of 12. I have seen them for as low as $.99/bar when on sale.
***These bars were provided to me free of charge for review. The opinions in this post are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.
