I will admit, I am an energy bar junkie. I have raced long-distance triathlons and marathons for the past10 years, so nutrition bars and Gatorade have long been major staples of my diet. But I get tired of bars that taste overly processed and contain a long, often unpronounceable list of ingredients. I was absolutely thrilled to try some new products called Element Bars. The designs of these bars (and the minds behind this company) are simply brilliant! At Element Bars, you get to pick and choose the elements (or ingredients) to make your own minimally processed and customized bar. Many of the ingredients are offered with an optional organic choice, and YOU get to name the bar!


Here is how the website works:

1. First, choose your core of the bar, such as chewy, oaty, crispy or datey. I chose chewy and then I could select peanut butter or almond butter, with an additional option of organic butters.
   
2. Next, pick your fruits from a variety of dried choices (apricots, blueberries, cherries, prunes, raisins, cranberries. As you add ingredients, the website provides detailed information such as expected texture, taste and heart healthy benefits.


3. Then choose your favorite nuts to add. Trying to avoid nuts? No problem, skip this step and you can still develop your own hearty bar.


4. Almost finished with your new bar, but the best part is adding sweets. Consider adding an ingredient like agave or brown rice syrup, honey, chocolate chips or M&M's to add a sweet edge to your bar.


5. Finally, you have the option to add nutritional boosts to your bar such as whey or soy protein, immunity, omega-3s and fiber.

If you are uncertain of where to start, consider buying one of their most popular choices such as "Hungry for Health Bar" or "Dante's Hiking Bar," or take a short survey and bar suggestions will be made for you!

As a dietitian, my favorite feature is that as you build your bar, there is a dynamically-updating Nutrition Facts label on the righthand side of the screen. As you add or subtract ingredients, the nutrition information and the list of ingredients changes as you go! How cool is that? If you are looking for a 250-calorie, low-fat bar with 5 grams fiber, you can build the bar as you like to meet your nutritional prerequisites.

Two, weeks ago, I tried each one in the variety four-pack, and they were all delicious, fresh and filling. A 12-pack of custom made Element Bars runs $41, but the popular bar choices and variety packs sell for a discounted rate of $36.

Have you tried Element bars, or do you have a favorite flavor or brand of nutrition bar - or a favorite recipe for your own healthy, energizing snack? Share it - or a link to it - in the comments!