Are they raw ingredients?

[Secret Heart]

I want to try a couple of "raw" bars but there are some ingredients in them that I'm guessing are not raw. The bars by the way are the Organic Food Bar and Vega.
Both contain "rice protein" and one also has hemp protein. As I say, I bet neither of these ingredients are raw, but I'll cross my fingers!

Any help would be great,

Heather

[Cinnamon]

I think your bet is right, they are not raw. I also wish there were other choices for purchased raw bars, they would be convenient when there just isn't time to whip something up!

I do eat Lara Bars every once in a while, guess there is some question as to how raw or not they are but at least reaching for one of them isn't as bad as some of the things I could be reaching for!

And Alissa's raw crunch bars are wonderful, reminds me I need to order some more!

[misslinda]

I want to try a couple of "raw" bars but there are some ingredients in them that I'm guessing are not raw. The bars by the way are the Organic Food Bar and Vega.
Both contain "rice protein" and one also has hemp protein. As I say, I bet neither of these ingredients are raw, but I'll cross my fingers!

Any help would be great,

Heather


Hey Secret Heart,

When I contacted OFB, they said that the rice protein is cooked. :)

I notice that when it qualitfies as "rawfoodist" raw bars, the wrapper will usually notate "dehydrated at low temps to preserve enzymes blah blah balh" tey seem to use KEY rawfooders lango. :)

[kyrie]

Have a look at some of threads here, use the banana and search for rice protein and hemp protein, and you will see both of you, that they can both be raw as can be.IF you want to know if a product is raw, give the company a call and ask them.

Carla.

[kyrie]

Rice protein and hemp protein can be raw. The only way to know for sure if a product is raw is to contact the manufacturer and ask them. Search on the banana here and you'll see what I mean.

Carla.

[Secret Heart]

Thanks everyone for your answers...esp miss linda for contacting them!

I'll endeavor to contact the other manufacturer.

Cheers,

Heather

[jaurequi]

Secret Heart, if your definition of raw conforms, NutriBiotic's Rice Protein (http://www.nutribiotic.com/riceprotein.htm) has informed me a few times that I've inquired that their product undergoes a process which heats the rice to up to 90 degrees, and that is throughout the entire process.

Again, it is up to the individual whether to believe the manufacturer.

[Kris]

The Organic Food Bars are not 100% raw, but they do say their "percent rawness" on the packaging, which varies from 75-90%. I have no idea where they come up with these numbers, but at least it tells you they understand the need to disclose this information. I have tried them, and personally I find them strangely greasy. They taste good, but they are kinda weird in that they seem to be covered in oil.

I have personally contacted the company that makes the Vega bars, and they claim the bars are 100% raw (though their drink is not). I wish I still had the email from them, but I deleted it when cleaning out my inbox thinking surely I'd never need it again. I like these bars a lot as a replacement for non-raw energy bars, but they are really pricey at over $3 per bar where I live.

Living Harvest also makes a raw snack bar, and it's really small compared to the two others mentioned. I think I tried the berry bar and, though I wasn't overly impressed with it, it tasted pretty good and was a nice option to tuck into a pocket.

Overall, I prefer LaraBars for snacking and Vega bars as an energy bar replacement. However, these items are all processed foods and are just plain expensive for mashed up fruit and nuts, so I don't eat them very often. By the way, I'm in Canada, and all of these bars are available at my health food store.

Hope that helps!

[misslinda]

I have personally contacted the company that makes the Vega bars, and they claim the bars are 100% raw (though their drink is not). I wish I still had the email from them, but I deleted it when cleaning out my inbox thinking surely I'd never need it again. I like these bars a lot as a replacement for non-raw energy bars, but they are really pricey at over $3 per bar where I live.

Living Harvest also makes a raw snack bar, and it's really small compared to the two others mentioned. I think I tried the berry bar and, though I wasn't overly impressed with it, it tasted pretty good and was a nice option to tuck into a pocket.



:p I spoke to Living Harvest directly on the phone and I don't know what they claimed to you but when I started ask about if they sprout their nuts etc, she right away asked "Are you a raw foodist?" I said "yes." Her repsonse was, this doesn't qualify as your definiton of raw in the rawfoodist world. CLICK! :eek:

:p Now Oraganic Food Bar's flaxseed Omega one says 100% raw and doesn't have the cooke rice protein. The next level I'm concerned about with these bars, is the sprouting of nuts and seeds. Cuz know, I 'm finding that they are [raw] but do they soak and sprout? It's getting intricate as other companies want to cash in on the RAWFOOD LIFESTYLE popoularity. Wait, the flaxseeds are sprouted.....

[Kris]

Thanks for the info, Misslinda!! I did not contact Living Harvest, but their packaging claimed they were raw. You never know I guess! Personally I'm not one to obsess about these things, but seeing as the bars weren't particularly tasty anyway, I'll stick to my other favs.

[Crystl-jade]

The Lara Bars are all raw except that the cashews may not be. And also the chocolate isn't. Other then that, they claiim everything else is guarenteed to be raw.

I eat them alot as a snack. I have all the flavors except the chocolate ones.


Crysti-jade

[misslinda]

The Lara Bars are all raw except that the cashews may not be. And also the chocolate isn't. Other then that, they claiim everything else is guarenteed to be raw.

I eat them alot as a snack. I have all the flavors except the chocolate ones.


Crysti-jade


You're welcome Kris......I emailed OFB about the dehydrating temps and they never responded so I will contact again.

LOL..........now I just read that Larabars are in question here at this site. Let me go find the thread. I really should make my own :p

[Secret Heart]

I tried the Vega bar...wow, very very pricey as you pointed out. Just too pricey for what it is...I'm just going to make my own or grab soaked nuts or whatnot.

Plus, honestly, I felt it tasted nothing of "chocolate" and in fact the taste reminded me of alcohol of all things. I hate alcohol so I was rather dissapointed with the whole experience. I just thought I'd give one a whirl.

I do like Lara and Think Organic bars best of all so far. I have one of the Organic Food Bars which I'll try at one point, but as Kris points out, they're all processed to some degree and I think I'll make a concerted effort to eat them less frequently...for my wallet's sake as much as anything! :D

Thanks again,

Heather

[Crystl-jade]

they're all processed to some degree and I think I'll make a concerted effort to eat them less frequently...for my wallet's sake as much as anything! :D

Thanks again,

Heather[/QUOTE]


Yes, they are processed, but not using any heat to kill the enzymes. All of our homemade raw foods are processed, too when we use the processor, blender, ect.

I do wonder if the plastic from the packaging leaks into the food. I believe the wrapper is a compbination foil and plastic, to retain freshness, and that could be a problem.


Crysti-jade

[Kris]

Yes, they are processed, but not using any heat to kill the enzymes. All of our homemade raw foods are processed, too when we use the processor, blender, ect.Crysti-jade

You're absolutely right about this, but at least when I make my own raw bars and snacks, I have a lot of information about the quality, quantity, and freshness of ingredients, as well as the exacting drying temperatures. I'm not condemning these products by any means, and I use them myself for convenience when I need to. But, when I can find the time to make my own food, I always consider it superior to anything I could buy in a package. Cause you just never know, you know? :p