I have officially decided that Vega is my favorite health food brand. Everything I’ve tried from them has been great. I think having pro triathlete Brendan Brazier (see my interview with him here) behind the company helps a lot. Having read Thrive, I know the kind of painstaking attention to detail he pays to what he eats, and that’s reflected in the ingredients in the products.
The newest Vega product, Vibrancy bars, are no different. (That’s my affiliate link, by the way.) Rather than being loaded with sugar or providing whey protein at the expense of all else, these bars provide a variety of great stuff. Listen to the ingredients in the “green synergy” flavor: “sprouted buckwheat, dates, hemp seed, sprouted almonds, agave nectar, brown rice protein, pea protein, Vega EFA Oil Blend, Vega Green Food Blend, sorgham puffs,” and almost all organic. Any chance these babies aren’t good for you? Doubt it.
The real question though, is whether they could possibly taste good. And amazingly, they do. I’ve tried greens bars before, like Amazing Grass brand, and I haven’t really liked them. (In my review of those, I said they tasted like overly-sweet spinach salad.) But somehow, Vega makes them good! They don’t taste too “green,” but they’re not cloyingly sweet either.
Vega Vibrancy bars come in three flavors: wholesome original, green synergy, and chocolate decadence. My favorite was the green synergy; least favorite was the chocolate decadence — just a little too sweet for me. But really, there wasn’t much difference in the taste of the three flavors.
Finally, though I don’t care much about nutrition facts and usually just eat a variety of whole foods, I do consider the facts when evaluating health food products. A green synergy flavor Vibrancy bar has 200 calories, 9 g fat (1 saturated), 22 g carbohydrates (5 fiber, 11 sugar), and 9 g protein. No, they’re not 30-gram protein bombs. That’s not the point, meat head.
All in all, I love these bars. Not at all surprising, considering they’re from Vega.
And finally, the giveaway! Vega is giving away a box of 12 Vibrancy bars (you choose the flavor) to a lucky NMA reader. As usual, just enter with a comment about the bars. No fancy linkbacks or tweets required for my giveaways, because I hate when people require them. But they’re always appreciated!
Good luck!
For more natural sports nutrition posts and recipes, check out the Running Fuel page.
I would love to try these! I have never had anything with pea protein before…
Count me in!
.-= Amber Shea (Almost Vegan)´s last blog ..Almost vegan in Lucerne I =-.
I’ve enjoyed the other Vega products, so I’d love to try these bars!
I too love the Vega products. Awaiting Brendon’s next book anxiously. Is it now available? Count me in on the giveaway. Thanks.
.-= Hethir´s last blog ..All You Need Is One Good Leg… =-.
I’d love to try these bars. I’m all for any food that is convenient and healthy.
I just made Brendon’s homemade vegan protein bars and they were fantastic! I’d love to try these convenient, delicious, and healthy bars.
sounds like great bars!!
i really want to read thrive, so im glad to hear its a good read!
oh man! that is a LOT of snow. Hope ya’ll are staying warm up there. The bars sound tasty. I’d love to give them a go. They almost look like laras but I like that they contain more protein. Very sweet of you to pay the extra $$ for shipping for christmas!
.-= Erica´s last blog ..Chocolate Covered Pretzels =-.
I read Thrive after hearing about it on your site and loved it. I would love to try Vega’s new bars!
I would like to try this bar.
Looks & sounds so YUMMY!
I’d try these bars; I love the amazing grass ones
.-= Evan Thomas´s last blog ..New Plan, Stan =-.
Would love to try them. Pick me! Pick me! : )
I would love to try these bars!
i didn’t know there was much protein in peas
but if these are better than amazing grass, i’d love to try them!!
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Cookies, Cabbage, & Pears =-.
I would love to try the bars. I am always looking for a good snack for on the go.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..But I digress =-.
I would love to try the bars. I hope you can get your run in!! We just got 6 inches in NC , I couldn’t imagine anymore.
.-= Laura ´s last blog ..Feeling much better! =-.
Ooh, I would love to try these bars! I love all the healthy ingredients in them.
.-= Jessie (Vegan-minded)´s last blog ..And The Winner Is… =-.
I’d love to try these bars! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
.-= Abby´s last blog ..I need friends. =-.
The only flavor that I like of the Amazing Grass ones are the peanut butter flavor. I’m game for trying some Vega bar hotness.
ugh…i had to go out TWICE today to shovel. booo!
I’d love to try these bars!
.-= Danielle (Coffee Run)´s last blog ..Veggie Cravings =-.
i’d like to try these! hoepfully get me doing pullups UNASSISTED.=D
.-= tra´s last blog ..random acts of kindness =-.
Those bars look very healthy AND very delicious. I’d love to try them! Thanks for hosting the giveaway
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.-= ashley´s last blog ..Oatmeal love =-.
Thank you!!! I hate complicated giveaways , too!. I never require all those link backs for mine, either.
I would love to try these bars! They sound delicious!
.-= Marisa (Loser for Life)´s last blog ..Cookies, Cookies Everywhere =-.
Pick me, pick me! I’ve be longing to try the Vega products for a long time, but haven’t been able to justify the cost out of fear I might not like it (shocking and unlikely, right?). I’d love to have a chance to try them out for free, which would hopefully justify a purchase in the future!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Snowpocalypse and being an adult =-.
As a meat-free runner myself- I would love to try the vega bars! I’ve never seen the in my local health food store.
I’d love to try a better bar than my beloved Lunas w/ the crappy stats!
I would love to try these, they sound delicious!
Oh wow, Vega has new stuff to try!!! Sweet! Yes please, I’m in for an entry!
I’ve been seeing “Thrive Fitness” on Amazon for months now but not for shipment to US addresses. I guess it was released in Canada first? But it shows as available NOW at Amazon! Wahoo!
.-= Shari B.´s last blog ..Super Seaweed =-.
I’d love to give them a try!
.-= Jill Will Run´s last blog ..Sunday Runday =-.
I would love to try the bars, they look yummy!
Since I know I never win anything, I will have to check around town to see where I can pick up these bars. They sound, and look, delicious!!!
.-= Nicki´s last blog ..You CAN Go Back =-.
Yay!! I love Vega’s outlook on nutrition!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Cold Ass Temps, Running, Gluhwein, and Friends =-.
These bars sound great! I too am not a big fan of the Amazing Grass bars so another natural bar that tastes good? I’m all for that! The green synergy bars sound awesome.
.-= CharmCityKim´s last blog ..Movie Madness =-.
I have seen these bars floating around blog world, but have yet to spot them in any store. Thanks for the chance to win some! Happy Hoildays!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Marzipan =-.
Cravin’ some Vega Vibrancy Bars…
Would love to try them!
Sounds like a great give-a-way.. would love to try them!
.-= Michal´s last blog ..My first official tri training session.. =-.
I can’t find these bars around here, but I really want to try them!
Looks like fun digging out of all that snow!
I would love to try these bars!
.-= Krista@CommitmentisLiberating´s last blog ..Holiday Giveaway Winner! =-.
ohhhh i have NOT tried these, and would love to give it a shot. if it is brendan and NMA approved, i can’t see how it can be bad
.-= Holly´s last blog ..Lessons Learned Over the Weekend… =-.
I tried the vega shakes and was not a huge fan…but I would give them another go round on a bar. I love breakfasts that i can easily eat on the go!
VEGA ME!
I have been wanting to try these bars!
I love Vega as well, and the vibrancy bars are excellent. The new book has already been out up here in Canada for a while – it’s called “Thrive Fitness” and is fantastic! I had the opportunity to meet Brendan at the Toronto Vegetarian Food Fair last September and his books have helped me a lot with my running.
Ironically, we have no snow here in Toronto. It’s going to be a greeeeeenn X-mas! I’m happy to live vicariously through your photo though
.
.-= Matt´s last blog ..’tis the season… =-.
Never tried the Vega bars…wouldn’t mind.
As for snow…just make some screw shoes and find some snowmobile trails. I got in about 20 miles this weekend (total) on the snowmobile trails and it was a lot of fun. This is my favorite time of year.
.-= Blaine Moore´s last blog ..The 2010 USATF New England Grand Prix Race Schedule =-.
the bars look delicious!
.-= Mary (Food Fit and Fun)´s last blog ..Homemade Granola =-.
Yumm! I have to agree that all of the Vega line that I’ve tried has been pretty darn good.
I love Vega. I’d definitely like the chance to win some bars.
I’ve read Thrive Fitness already (it’s been out in Canada for awhile). It’s a good book but definitely aimed more toward the general population, rather than athletes. I was a bit disappointed in that but I’d definitely recommend the book to someone who wants to introduce good nutrition and moderate exercise into their life.
.-= Jess´s last blog ..You can never buy too much chocolate =-.
I’ve wanted to try these bars every since I first saw them!
I would love to try these.
I lost my copy of Thrive recently and I’m really bummed! Waiting to get Brendan’s new book though.
I’d love to give those Vega bars a try!
A bar without soy! YAY!
Pea Protein Power!
We recently watched Brendan in a documentary about vegetarian athletes! We’re interested in trying out his products!
.-= Dee´s last blog ..Day 188: Ghastly =-.
I’m in love with all the products by Vega. Brendan’s book is fantastic, in fact I’m making some Zucchini crisps right now!! Love the bars as it’s an easy meal/snack to get me through my hours of dance teaching.
Having read “Thrive” I have no doubt these bars are great! I’d love to give them a try!
I’ve heard great things abotu Vega products. Best of all is that they’re Gluten Free for those of us who can’t eat gluten! Yay Vega!
I would love to incorporate these into my active lifestyle!
These bars look delicious!!!
I would love to try these!
I’d love to give these a try. Thanks NMA!!!! And good luck running in all that snow. I am in FL where it was a “freezing” 55 this morning – perfect running weather!
These sound delish! Thanks for all the wonderful ideas and recipes. Merry Christmas!
You are welcome to send them my way! I’d love to try them! Thanks for the opportunity!
I would love to try the Vibrancy bars. I love all of the Vega products I’ve purchased so far. And I love the blog…keep it up!
I’ve always wanted to try those bars but due to the cost never could bring myself to buy one. But I’d definitely take a freebie!
I used to really like shoveling snow when I lived in a house! But it’s also kind of nice to no longer have to do it now that I’m in an apartment, heh.
Those bars look REALLY good. I haven’t tried them or other vega products so I’d very much like to. LOVE the ingredients list for them; ingredients lists are the main reason why I don’t eat bars (because most of them are loaded with nasty stuff). Great giveaway!
.-= Sagan´s last blog ..Day 22 of the 200 Reps Challenge =-.
I haven’t tried those yet! I’d LOVE to try them! Thanks for the cool give away!!
.-= tiffanie @ Healthy Happenings´s last blog ..Holiday love, holiday pudge! =-.
hey long lost friend
i linked to you today to call out your awesomeness. and called your vibrams “foot gloves”.
.-= Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn´s last blog ..Websites That Lift My Spirits + Distract Me (from myself) =-.
I’m curious to try the Vibrancy bars! I too am looking for some healthy tasty bars to fuel more hiking and running adventures.
.-= Christina´s last blog ..Busy Busy. =-.
Count me in. Excited about the new bars and the new book!
.-= Hethir´s last blog ..2.Mile.Run =-.
They sound good – I’d like to try them!
I got a few of his bars at the Fitness Expo before the White Rock Marathon. They were definitely tasty. I will be purchasing more of them for sure. His energy drink mixtures were not bad either. I plan on doing a write up on the products I sampled soon.
.-= Caleb´s last blog ..Smoothie Tuesday – Electric Green, Green Drink =-.
those look super tasty! Have you ever tried Raw Organic Food Bars? They’re mostly in chocolatey type flavors but they’re really good.
These bars sound tasty! Enter me!
.-= Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather´s last blog ..Black Rice =-.
I’d love to try these! I love any way to get my greens in, green smoothies, puree’s in baking…I’m always excited to learn new non traditional ways to eat super healthy foods.
Good luck on the 50 k!! Wow, that’s crazy impressive, I’m proud of myself when I manage to jog a mile :X
I’d love to try these. Either way, from all of your reviews, I think I’ll be heading out to get some Vega products!
I’ve never tried any of the Vega products. I usually buy Larabars, but maybe next time I’ll pick up some of these as well!
I love Vega products! I haven’t tried these bars yet, but had the other ones (I’m too lazy to look up or get up to see the actual name of them, but I know they are Vega) and love them. I know some people are unsure of the flavor, but I honestly think they are great and I feel good about eating them.
I’m definitely spending some of my Christmas money on a “No Meat Athlete” shirt and will wear it proudly.
I would love to try the Vega bars. I’ve been making homemade Larabars, but I would like to get more easy greens in my diet.
I’ve never gotten into the bars much since they don’t usually taste that great, but your review has me wanting to try these. I just came across your blog the other day and really like it so far. Thanks!
I recently tried out the Vega smoothie infusion and sports drink mix, so I would love to check out his new bars. I’m looking forward to hearing more about the new book, too.
Happy New Year and Have a Great 50K (no luck involved, it is all YOU and you will do great with all your training and prep. The importance is to “enjoy the ride”.
I would love to try these Vega bars, the ingredients sound delish and this is not just a glorified candy bar!
Matt
I love your and Megan’s blog. I have started on the whole raw/veg/vff/barefoot journey after my last marathon – last month. Would love to try these bars!
G
vega bars would be delicious!
The bars are AWESOME!! I had the chocolate decadence for breakfast and was pleasantly surprised by how great the bar tasted! I don’t know how they pack all of those wholesome ingredients into one bar!! Would highly recommend!!! I also love their protein powders….ENJOY!
Just started reading Thrive thanks to this website. Would love to try the bar!