Nutrition bar (Balance Original Bar)
Common food
The Balance Original Bar is a dense, chewy nutrition bar designed for active lifestyles, offering a substantial 28g of protein per 100g to support muscle recovery. Its flavor profile leans toward a sweet, cereal-like taste with a mix of crunchy and chewy textures, often featuring ingredients like soy crisps and nuts. Nutritionally, it provides a significant energy boost with its high carbohydrate and calorie content, making it a potent fuel source for endurance activities.
Calorie split: 27% protein · 47% carbs · 26% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People appreciate its convenient, on-the-go format and the satisfying chewy texture that makes it feel more like a treat than a supplement. Its high protein-to-calorie ratio is particularly valued by athletes and those seeking to manage hunger between meals.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (34.89g per 100g) can lead to rapid blood sugar spikes and subsequent crashes, which may be concerning for individuals with insulin sensitivity or diabetes. To mitigate this, consider pairing the bar with a source of healthy fat (like a handful of almonds) or fiber (like an apple) to slow sugar absorption, and practice portion control by consuming half a bar at a time.
Key benefits
- High protein content (28g per 100g) supports muscle maintenance and satiety.
- Provides a concentrated source of energy (415 kcal per 100g) for physical activity.
- Contains dietary fiber (3.1g per 100g) to aid digestion and promote fullness.
- Offers a convenient, portable meal replacement or snack option.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The Balance Original Bar was one of the first nutrition bars to be marketed specifically as a 'meal replacement' for active individuals, gaining popularity in the 1990s fitness boom.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 7.8 g |
| Energy | 415 kcal |
| Protein | 28.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 12.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 48.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 34.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 543 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 10.9 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 119 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 465 mg |
| Potassium, K | 678 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 253 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.5 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.77 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 23.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 11.2 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.6 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.7 mg |
| Niacin | 9.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.89 mg |
| Folate, total | 126 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 126 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 126 ug |
| Choline, total | 91.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.2 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.90 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1496 ug |
| Retinol | 1495 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 10.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 5.8 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 2.4 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.6 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.3 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 4.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 47.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.63 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.42 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 8.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 8.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.8 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.14 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 1.0 mg |
FAQ
Is the Balance Original Bar suitable for vegans?
It depends on the specific formulation, but many Balance bars contain whey protein or other dairy derivatives, making them non-vegan. Always check the ingredient list for animal-derived components.
Can I eat this bar if I have a soy allergy?
Most Balance bars contain soy protein or soy crisps as a primary ingredient, so they are not suitable for individuals with soy allergies. Look for alternative bars made with pea protein or other non-soy sources.
How does the sugar content compare to other nutrition bars?
At 34.89g of sugar per 100g, the Balance Original Bar has a relatively high sugar content compared to many low-sugar or keto-friendly bars, which often contain less than 10g of sugar per 100g.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.15 kcal/g · 27% calories from protein · 3.1 g fiber · 34.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.37 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.