A while back, I wrote a guest post about Clif Zbars - a psuedo-energy bar aimed at children. Since that isn’t the type of thing I normally write about here at The Reluctant Eater, I had the article published here on allclimbing.com.
I struggle with whether or not I should discuss packaged food products here on The Reluctant Eater, since in many ways, it’s contrary to my mission. However, when they are made with quality natural ingredients, from a company who has similar ideals (real, organic, whole ingredients), shouldn’t it be okay to promote them?
I realize that not everyone can make their own food all of the time, and I don’t aspire to make responsible eating into an all-or-nothing issue. Rather than just having a tiny percentage of eaters who eat responsibly, greater good will come from everyone thinking about their food choices…even if it means, for example, cutting back on (industrial) meat just once a month.
What do you guys think? Should I talk about products like Clif Bars? Is it okay to review Raw Revolution and Larabars?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, I think you should and it doesn’t necessarily contradict your overall mission. People trying to eat the right way will often be in a position where they need some calories from an energy-type bar and it would be great to know which ones are the best from a natural foods perspective (if at least on a relative basis).
I agree with Tom. In life we don’t always have access to a well stocked pantry. And my gut tells me that it would much rather have a Larabar or a Clif bar than a Powerbar.
While it would be ideal to always prepare your own food it is not always practical - especially if you are a person on-the-go or if you have children. Sometimes we do have to make spur-of -the-moment food purchases. One of the problems with that is the incredible selection you are confronted with in the grocery store isle. If I go into a store to grab an energy bar I find myself standing in front of hundreds of choices knowing that some are decent products and some are just plain crap. If I am in a hurry or my kid is impatient I don’t have time to rummage through all the ingredient lists.
So, my answer to your question “yes”. I keep up on your articles so if you decide to write about certain types of packaged products like energy bars you would save me the grief of the grocery isle.
The Hippo
It depends on how you want to proceed with The Reluctant Eater blog/site. I think it’s more “all encompassing” and gives you a larger audience with more diverse interests if you can focus on different aspects of all foods (packaged vs. home-made), diet, and environment. It may also be a quicker route to actually making a living as well as providing people with a valued review and opinion.