Thursday, May 6, 2010

Review: PureFit Nutrition Bars

The good people at PureFit http://www.purefit.com/ were kind enough to send me a sample of each of their bars to review. (First off, can anyone tell me how to make a link like I see all the time on everyone else's blogs????) Anyhow, I take reviews very seriously: I have a monthly column in my homeschool newsletter that goes to about 400 families. I review Christian homeschool curriculum and reading materials. My idea of a true review is one where I am completely objective, and I give my honest opinion.

Oh, I had such high hopes for PureFit. They were so nice in their e-mails, in their letter to me, and in the publicity papers they sent. Poor Robb Dorf spent the last six years creating this formula, and if it was good, he could have found no better cheerleader than he found in me. My family was excited too! We were going to get free bars that marketed themselves as tasting like candy bars with the nutrition of energy bars. What's not to like?

Well, it turns out, PureFit is not to like. Sniff, my three-year-old, JK, was the only one who ate all his samples without complaint. Please see the photos and further explanation below.

Here are the bars, unopened, being desired by all of us. The flavors from top to bottom are: Berry Almond Crunch, Granola Crunch, Almond Crunch, Chocolate Brownie, and Peanut Butter Crunch. Look at how they beckon to us!

Next, I let them tease us by just peeking beneath their tempting covers. Oh, the chocolate was definitely calling my name. How I had such high expectations for you, dear, dark choco.

Here the bars are cut into five pieces, one for each of us to try. I figured I should get the family involved and test all our taste buds.

So, here's a basic rundown:
Berry Almond Crunch: barely tasted the berries
Granola Crunch: very mild flavor
Almond Crunch: bland taste
Chocolate Brownie: disappointing, no real strong cocoa flavor
Peanut Butter Crunch: had mild peanut butter taste

None of them had any real crunch to them. They were very chewy and made us all very thirsty. I think if you were on a trail, you would need to have water handy at all times while eating these.

Here are some random honest comments from my family - I apologize to PureFit in advance:
"Texture of slimy chalk"
"Chocolate tasted toxic"
"It just got worse the more you ate"
"I realized I didn't have to finish them"
"Does not taste like a candy bar"

To be nice, because really I am, I am ending on some good notes:
A three-year old likes them!
Very filling
Would be good for someone who's really hungry
Vegan and gluten-free

Please know that I did not solicit them. I am not in the habit of reviewing, but these sounded so promising. I wish PureFit the best, I really do. But, if they want an honest last word from me - don't sacrifice flavor for health. Let me know if you work on the formula, and I'd be more than happy to do a retest and hopefully a positive review.

16 comments:

  1. Too bad they were not good. but honesty is the best policy and if they aren't good then they aren't.

    http://nuestracena-vegancuisine.blogspot.com

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  2. How wonderful to read an obviously honest review! My hat is off to you. I read so many "glowing" reviews from bloggers getting free stuff that some blogs have completely lost credibility with me. Especially when they rave about things I have found to be mediocre at best. Thanks so much for your honesty!

    hugs,
    Alicia

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  3. Thanks, Alicia. It made me cringe to write some of that, but if I'm going to put my name and face to something, I've got to be honest.

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  4. Here's the answer to your question:

    http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=41379

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  5. Copy and paste the link into you address bar---it will tell you how to make a link on your blog!

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  6. Okay, I may try this. Thank you.

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  7. Wow! I admire your honesty! I'm not a fan of energy bars in general so I didn't bother clicking on this link till now cuz I assumed you were just gonna be raving about these bars.

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  8. Well, S.V., I would love to see a review from you on these bars! I can only imagine how you would word some things. It'd be hilarious!

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  9. I don't think I could do a funnier job than you did. Unfortunately, the only euphemisms I can think of to describe your PureFit review would be 'crucified' or 'nailed them to the cross';-(

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  10. Oh, man, S.V., that's super harsh! Not what I intended! And to a Christian girl like me! :( PureFit, me so sorry...

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  11. Hee! Hey, I made one of your recipes tonite. Turned out great! Stay tuned!

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  12. Woo hoo! I'm excited and nervous!

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  13. "Would be good for someone who's really hungry"

    *cringes* aw man...and slimy chalk?

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  14. Wowsa my tow favorite flavors you didn't even get to try! I love the peanut toffee and chocolate chip one :3 Prefereably I like the texture because it isn't crunchy, it is only a tad crispy and chewy. Like a softer vegan quest bar. But you've gotta go into it knowing it is not a candy bar so of course it wouldn't taste like one. I stick mine in the freezer to firm them up a tad :3

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