Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I spend a lot of time hiking in the woods. In my day pack, I carry a few snack bars in case I ever get stuck and have to stay in the forest overnight. All fine, except that the bars I've been using are very high carb low-fat things, and no longer something I would want to eat.

Are there any paleo type bars out there? I'm not looking for something to make myself (I do that, but those bars wouldn't last long in the pack), but rather something that could stay in my pack for months at a time without going bad. Any suggestions?

UPDATE: It's amazing what you people know about! Suggestions here have been incredibly helpful. Wow.

edited Jul 30 2011 at 21:24

asked Jul 30 2011 at 11:08

redberry
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	Thanks for this, this really is an awesome thread! I have started cycling again as well as hiking and am getting to the point where my distances require food to take with me. This thread came at the perfect time with some awesome suggestions! – wheelhouse Jul 30 2011 at 23:43
	I'm with @wheelhouse! I usually just bag up nuts, coconut, dark chocolate and away I go. Never really thought of bars.. now I'm going to file some of these away for future use! Definitely some tasty sounding ones listed. 'Fanks! – jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com Jul 31 2011 at 2:23

Tim Rangitsch · Answer 1 · 2011-07-30 13:01:03Z UTC

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A great option for a Paleo Pre-Pack Snackbar! Grass fed meat, grass fed tallow, sea salt: http://www.grasslandbeef.com/Categories.bok?category=Grassland+Beef%3ABeef+Pemmican

answered Jul 30 2011 at 13:01

Tim Rangitsch
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	I've heard good things about pemmican, especially if it's made from good stuff. – Nemesis Jul 30 2011 at 13:59
	Cool! I'm fairly new to paleo, and hadn't thought of pemmican. Thanks for the suggestion, Tim. I'll go read up on it. – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 20:48

mari · Answer 2 · 2011-07-30 11:49:59Z UTC

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It seems like larabars would be our solution. They're reasonably paleo and made from dates and nuts. They do have a fair amount of sugar, and some of the varieties have a lot of pufa, but overall they're not so bad. I would suggest the cherry pie flavor.

answered Jul 30 2011 at 11:49

mari
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Thank you, Mari! I've never heard of larabars, but will go read up on them. – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 20:54

Karen · Answer 3 · 2011-07-30 12:17:04Z UTC

The problem with prepackaged snack bars is that they need to contain a certain percentage of sugary stuff to stick together well. Perhaps you could carry jerky and a limited number of bars. I'd be concerned about nuts becoming rancid after months in a pack, either on their own or in the bars. Can you settle for reloading the pack more often? In cool weather of course 85% chocolate and pemmican are classic trail food.

Add: Coconut flakes would be good pack food.

edrice · Answer 4 · 2011-07-30 13:51:09Z UTC

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I'm surprised no one has brought up pemmican, which was used by native Americans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemmican

http://www.pemmican.com/

There are several pemmican producers online and you can search around for more.

answered Jul 30 2011 at 13:51

edrice

	Pemmican was going to be my suggestion as well. I would get sick of munching on fruits and nuts all day! – Nemesis Jul 30 2011 at 14:00
	hmmm, OP is from Canada, so depending on location and pemmican packaging, it might be fine up there. – Karen Jul 30 2011 at 15:47
	edrice, thank your for the suggestion and helpful links. Also, special thanks for "...and you can search around for more" which is just what I did. I found a pemmican that is made in Canada, and available through one of my favourite online stores. This is fantastic, and I've ordered some already. Can hardly wait for it to come! – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 20:51
	Nemesis - it does sound a lot better than fruit and nuts, doesn't it? – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 20:51
	Karen - our climate is similar to that of Seattle, so we still get too-hot days in summer. I'll just have to swap in new emergency rations more often, I guess. Totally worth it for a paleo-friendly snack! – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 20:53

Jessica G · Answer 5 · 2011-07-30 12:40:24Z UTC

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The Good on Ya bar (http://www.thegoodonyabar.com/) is pretty paleo, save some maple syrup. US Wellness Meats sells them.

answered Jul 30 2011 at 12:40

Jessica G
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	I always see these on USwellness meat's site. Look good but haven't tried them. – ben61820 Jul 30 2011 at 18:14
	Thanks, Jessica G. I've never heard of that bar, but will go read about it now. "A little maple syrup" is way better than all the carbs and junk in the bars I've been using. – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 20:56

Cory151 · Answer 6 · 2011-07-30 15:26:03Z UTC

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The protein bars by Quest are the best Ive ever had, especially in a pinch.

http://www.questproteinbar.com/

answered Jul 30 2011 at 15:26

Cory151
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I tried these. Got a free sample from super human radio. They were super tasty. I suppose paleo folk might be concerned that they have some kind of artificial sweetener. Forget which one. Since it'll prolly make up about 5% of your day's food I wouldn't sweat it but it is in there. Damn tasty though. – ben61820 Jul 30 2011 at 18:13

These are very good! I got my free bars then ordered a case. I really wanted the peanut bar but went with almond (vanilla) instead so the paleo police didn't come after me. Very good in a pinch. – Shari Bambino Jul 30 2011 at 19:02

Cory151, ben61820, Shari: Thanks. The fact that you all liked this bar has got my attention. I'll order some if they ship to Canada. – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 20:59

Aha! They do ship to Canada. – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 21:04

The free sample is still on the Super Human Radio site. superhumanradio.com – wheelhouse Jul 30 2011 at 23:40

77Pat · Answer 7 · 2011-07-30 11:27:03Z UTC

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Don't know how long they would last, but ones I have tried so far that are mostly paleo are:

GoRaw Banana Bread Flax Bar http://www.goraw.com/products/Banana_Bread_Flax_Bar

Larabars and PaeloKrunch bars.

answered Jul 30 2011 at 11:27

77Pat
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	I've had the flax one. Things don't taste too good. And brute tough as shoe leather. But I suppose on a hiker whatever they'll get the job done. – ben61820 Jul 30 2011 at 18:15
	Thanks, 77Pat. I'll go read up on that GoRaw bar, and the others you mentioned. And ben61820, thanks for the comment on those bars. I'd rather have a perfect bar, but you're right: if it's for the survival kit.... – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 21:07

ben61820 · Answer 8 · 2011-07-30 12:33:32Z UTC

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These are good:

http://rawcrunchbar.myshopify.com/

I keep a box in the closet for car trips, hiking, late night eating, etc.

answered Jul 30 2011 at 12:33

ben61820
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Interesting that these ones are dehydrated rather than cooked. (Maybe I'll experiment with that when making home-made energy bars.) These sound good and they ship to Canada. Thanks! – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 21:10

terrence · Answer 9 · 2011-07-30 18:00:09Z UTC

I have found some beef jerky that does not have anything added; often called "original flavor". Those called "honey and garlic", etc, have sugar and other stuff - but, again, some only have real garlic and real honey. I always read the label for ingredients; and I especially look at the sugar content - zero is best.

Some jerky brands are hard and some are chewy. Try them out. None of the ones I use need refrigeration, and none get hard over time.

Shari Bambino · Answer 10 · 2011-07-30 19:06:05Z UTC

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I really like Lydia's Organics Tropical Mango bar. It's all fruit but crunchy unlike a Larabar. It's my favorite paleo cookie. You can eat it dry or rehydrate or dip into your drink like biscoti. Really delicious. Pricey though. I buy by the case from iherb for the best price.

answered Jul 30 2011 at 19:06

Shari Bambino
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Hmm, interesting. Has coconut! Thanks, Shari. – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 21:20

Happy Now · Answer 11 · 2011-07-30 19:34:16Z UTC

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I don't what the shelf life is for these, but my brother kept coming home from crossfit with something called "paleo paks". They were very similar to these "pocket paleo" snacks at thenewprimal.com.

answered Jul 30 2011 at 19:34

Happy Now
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Thanks, Happy Now. Another one to check out! – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 21:22

delete me · Answer 12 · 2011-07-30 15:35:56Z UTC

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i hike all the time, and the most practical options are jerky and nuts... always looking for something new though!

answered Jul 30 2011 at 15:35

delete me

The suggestions in this thread are amazing! All sorts of stuff I never would have thought of or found on my own. – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 21:11

g. · Answer 13 · 2011-07-30 18:08:37Z UTC

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Tanka Bars? I've never had one. I think maybe they're a little spendy, but so is jerky. Seems like they'd keep forever.

answered Jul 30 2011 at 18:08

g.
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	still low-fat though. – g. Jul 30 2011 at 18:09
	Buffalo meat and cranberries! Fascinating. Thanks. – redberry Jul 30 2011 at 21:18
	I buy most of my jerky when it is on sale, which happens fairly often. So, it is not very expensive; but, some regular prices can be steep. – terrence Aug 1 2011 at 1:38
	Ew they taste and look like dog food. – Diane Aug 14 at 22:31

april · Answer 14 · 2012-08-14 21:59:26Z UTC

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cocomojoe- JOEbar www.cocomojoefoods.com, completely organic and paleo

answered Aug 14 at 21:59

april
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miked · Answer 15 · 2012-08-14 22:04:14Z UTC

I make my own paleo-ish bars from www.youbars.com. They're still a bit high in carbs and a bit expensive, but I've never gotten sick from them (e.g., from cross contamination of gluten or anything). A for a convenience, they're worth the price to me; I don't eat them often.

Diane · Answer 16 · 2012-08-14 22:35:05Z UTC

It's easy to make beef jerky. You can use a cheap dehydrator like you might find at a thrift store.

I've made my own bars. A truly decadent bar was shredded coconut mixed with almond butter and beef tallow sandwiched between Trader Joe's flattened bananas on the bottom and pressed dates with walnuts on top. They're very rich.

I've experimented with homemade pemmicans, too. The standard issue pemmican was barely edible, but I did manage to choke one down every day on a backpack trip. Recently I made "pemmican" with beef tallow, shredded coconut and chopped macadamias. I haven't yet given these a good taste test, but licking the bowl proved them tasty. I want to try pemmican with meat and dried tomatoes or cranberries, too. See if I can't make the standard issue taste better.

Paleo pre-packaged snack bars?

16 Answers