Have Clif Bar, Will Travel

A Clif Bar makes a healthy, low-calorie and low-fat vegetarian snack. With organic oats and soybeans, and a hefty chunk of all the major vitamins, eating one is like a cross between having a bowl of high-fiber cereal and taking a daily multi-vitamin. But tastier, and more portable.

I first found them while training for my first marathon. I bought one of every energy bar on the shelf, and tested them during the 12 to 20 mile walks. It was the only brand that met my personal aesthetic standards for taste and texture; and I found a few of the many varieties to qualify as real food (ie, something I would choose to eat when not under duress). 

Now I regularly keep a stash in my desk at work, and usually have one with tea while booting up, checking voice mail, and catching up with email in the morning. When I ate a small, quick breakfast at home before my commute, I was always hungry by 10 am, and distracted til lunch. Clif bars I find do a better job of keeping my blood sugar level all morning (til elevenses, anyway), for a reasonable 250 calories.

They work well as 'food security,' too. Just as the desk stash doubles as an emergency food supply (disaster planning), a few tucked into my carry-on bag reassure me that no matter what happens to my plans, I won't go hungry. They have kept me happy on delayed flights any number of times, and even provided dinner on the night train from Paris to Venice.

To learn all the backstory, get nutrition information, and find out about the company's excellent forays into corporate social responsibility, visit the official Clif Bar site.

My favorite flavors:
Oatmeal Raisin Walnut (tastes like a good, chewy oatmeal cookie)
Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch
Crunchy Peanut Butter

** Tastes vary, of course. There are over a dozen to choose from.

Mojo Bar: Clif's Favorite Sibling
Another vegetarian snack, described as a "sweet and salty trail mix bar."

Favorite flavor: Fruit Nut Crunch (190 calories)