Disclaimer: I was asked to participate in the #NoCrashSnack campaign, sponsored by Extend Nutrition. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.
Imagine a snack that 1) keeps you full hours after eating it, 2) helps you maintain your weight, and 3) minimizes blood sugar spikes. You might be wondering whether that kind of food exists. Fortunately, it does, in the form of Extend Nutrition Bars. (Click here to receive a free Extend bar.)
Extend Nutrition snacks are designed to outlast other nutritional products – the secret is the scientifically developed Nutra9 Blend™ of ingredients, a patented combination of proteins, fats and complex carbohydrates clinically proven to help control blood sugar for up to 9 hours.
Not only do they deliver on their promise, but they’re actually super tasty! Bonus: The Extend Bars that I tried either had 1 or 0 net grams of carbohydrate. Yes, they’re essentially the unicorn of snack foods, and a great choice for a person like me who has diabetes.
Whether you want to lose weight, manage diabetes or are in need of long-lasting energy to keep your life moving, Extend Nutrition Bars will support you. And the best part? They taste so good; you don’t even know there’s a ton of science behind the formula.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to receive four different flavors of Extend Bars to sample and review. The flavors included Chocolate & Caramel, Cookies & Cream, Yogurt & Berry, Yogurt & Lemon,. When I finally got my hands on the bars, I had just returned home from a visit to see my boyfriend in Virginia. Tired from travel and horribly hungry, I eagerly tore open the Cookies & Cream box so I could snack on a bar while I unpacked.
The bar itself was coated in a layer of chocolate. As I bit into it, it was all I could initially taste: a nice, smooth, and familiar chocolaty flavor. As I chewed, though, a subtle creaminess emerged, conveying that cookies & cream taste. The bar itself was chewy rather than crunchy, which I enjoyed.
But what I liked even better than the flavor was that the Extend Bar actually quelled my hunger, and did so rather quickly. It was around 6 o’clock in the evening when I had eaten it. Prior to that, I’d had a late breakfast of oatmeal at 10 A.M. and a meager lunch at 2 P.M. consisting of a bag of Pirate’s Booty that I bought at the airport. And when I got home, I knew it would be at least another hour before I got to eat a real meal, so I figured a snack would be a smart call in order to avoid overeating at dinner. It absolutely did—I ate a light, healthy dinner a couple hours later rather than something heavy and carb-laden. Plus, my blood sugar was excellent pre- and post-dinner, and I didn’t even bolus insulin for the bar.
Speaking of bolusing, you may be wondering how I accounted for a bar that claims to have 0-1 net grams of carbohydrate. What exactly does that mean, anyway? According to the description on the Cookies & Cream Extend Bar box:
“Our formula contains a unique combination of extended-release carbohydrates, fiber, lean protein, and a small amount of healthy fat. Fiber, malitol, and *non-factor other carbs (5g uncooked cornstarch and 4g glycerin) convert slowly, thus have a minimal impact on blood sugar. Total carbs 22g – Dietary fiber 4g – Malitol** 9g – Other carbs* 9g = Net Carbs 0g.”
This means that I didn’t really have to bolus for the Cookies & Cream or Chocolate & Caramel bars, seeing as they clocked in at 0 grams of net carbs. It was a little trickier for the Yogurt & Lemon and Yogurt & Berry bars, with 1 gram of net carbs. I had to decide whether this warranted a bolus. I think it depends on factors like when and what your last meal was and your activity levels, but I found that taking a small half-unit dose was appropriate when consuming these two flavors. Remember, your diabetes may (and probably does) vary.
Net carbs aside, my favorite flavor is probably the Yogurt & Lemon. The tang of the lemon is subdued by the yogurt coating, and the soft consistency makes me feel like I’m indulging in a dessert. But with only 150 calories and no blood sugar spike, I can snack guilt-free.
Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast looking for a nutrition bar to fit into your meal plan, a person with diabetes who wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle, or someone who is merely looking to improve their overall energy level, I would recommend trying Extend Nutrition Bars. And you’re in luck: Extend Nutrition Bars are hosting a #NoCrashSnack free bar giveaway. Simply request a free Extend Nutrition Bar and share your story during registration about you, or a friend/loved one’s experience with diabetes and /or healthy lifestyle efforts. Use the giveaway widget provided below to request your free bar today. You can also find Extend Nutrition Bars in the diabetes section of the pharmacy in Walmart and Walgreens stores nationwide and directly online at extendbar.com and Amazon.com. Don’t forget to spread the word to your friends within the diabetes and health/wellness communities!
*Not a low calorie food
**Maltitol is a sugar alcohol. Some people experience digestive symptoms after consuming maltitol.
Extend Nutrition Bars – #NoCrashSnack Free Bar Offer
I’d like to have them on hand for my relative who is diabetic, so I know there is a snack she can enjoy that is good for her to have to make sure she does not crash.