Krush Natural Protein Bars, Pack of 12 (Krush Variety Box)

I ordered these because I was over Quest bars but wanted something similar as far as protein and fiber quantities go... I prefer the texture of the Krush bars over Quest bars hands down. Definitely softer and easier to chew and the flavors are consistent between bars. I started noticing with Quest bars color changes over time (the cookies and creme used to look white then started looking more yellow for example) and they seemed to get harder and more plasticy as I continued to order so I gave up and needed to find something similar.Some people noted they all taste like peanut butter but I couldn't taste peanut butter at all in the mint chocolate chip (favorite flavor so far) and the other flavors it was very minimal.. just a hint in my opinion. And I am not a peanut butter person at all - definitely almond butter all the way. My boyfriend was actually surprised I liked these considering I refuse to eat peanut butter anything usually....I do wish they all tasted less sweet - maybe don't need to use all these sugar substitutes - which is also causing the gas problem... Others complained about it and I noticed it too... I really wish someone would come out with a naturally sweetened bar with some honey or for example, in the apple pie - just have the apple chunks! I wish I could find a bar with no stevia, sucralose or erythritol! Though I do love that there is less sodium and no saturated fat or cholesterol as compared to Quest bars :) though some are higher in calories :( I have not decided if I will order another box - the 20% off coupon I received is some incentive though!

I practically live on protein bars, love Quest bars, and will try just about any new protein bar I see, so I bought a case of Krush. I tried the French Toast and Cookie Dough flavors, but did not like them. They were doughy and mostly tasteless, and the French Toast bar had a weird flavor unlike any French toast I've ever tasted. Maybe the tastelessness is attributable to their being "natural," with relatively few ingredients and few if any chemicals, and maybe that quality will appeal to some consumers. I plan to try the other flavors and will update this review if they taste any better.OK, after trying the other flavors, I'll amend my review to three stars (from two). Birthday Cake (tastes like a peanut butter cookie with sugar sprinkles) and Mint Chocolate Chip (good minty taste) were the best, IMO. Apple Pie definitely tasted like apple. Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter tasted like its name. But I'll stick with Quest bars all the same.

Been a while since I've felt the need to write a review for a product. I used to do it fairly often, but time just has a way of slipping away, I guess. Plus, there haven't been many products out there that got me fired up enough to talk about them. The protein bar category has been a train wreck, in my opinion, dominated by Quest bars until very recently. I'm not knocking Quest, but they have the lion's share of shelf space, and all for what amounts to hardened paste. There are a few I like, and some that with a little nuking turn out okay. What gets me even more is that all three major stores I visit push these things, which makes me think strange things just may be afoot at the Vitamin Shoppe. Or GNC. Anyway, to the point.I ordered Krush bars (formerly Krave Nutrition) a few weeks ago. They came in a white shipping box, with the loose bars inside, which at first seemed off-putting, though I suspect this is a smaller company and/or they want to present themselves as such. The bars themselves come in clear wrappers with sticker labels, so that you can see the bar right away. I rate this on the plus side, as at least it shows they have nothing to hide. A first glance, however, led me to believe this was another hardened paste bar. You know, hard, crumbly, a bit dry. There are times when I fear the loss of my teeth on some bars. I am sure they are, but these bars do not look like they are mass-produced. It's an effective approach.Well, Krush bars are different, I'll tell you that. The bar is moist, almost wet actually, and soft. The ingredient profile (20g protein, over 20g carbs but 90% of those are fiber) would indicate they are just like Quest bars. The flavor is not actually birthday cake, but it is a sweet, cakey vanilla that lingers and doesn't leave a chemical aftertaste like many sweet bars do. Texture-wise, these things are a pleasure to eat, and a great departure from the Quest and Quest copies that flood the shelves. The flavor stays consistent throughout, and there is a little bit of a crunch to them, almost like granulated sugar. It's pleasant. You could warm these up if you want, but I tried it once and it made the bar too soft. I feel full after eating one, but not like I ate fiber that doesn't agree with me or sugar, which some bars make me feel.I know many people will comment on how bars shouldn't be eaten if you want to eat clean or that they are chemical-laden and all that, but if you don't believe in bars, why read a review of them? Seems a bit silly. Many of us use these as a way to eat on the go and keep calories down and protein high. I'm sorry, but as much as I'd like to, I don't have a job that affords me the luxury to microwave lunch from home. I am around people all the time, so shoveling down a can of tuna just doesn't work. So, a bar that can fit the bill is a necessity for me. The Krush bars really work. They taste good, appear to have a good nutrition profile, and unlike some Quest bars, I don't feel like I just ate a ton of sugar. This last bit brings me to a semi-related point:Has anyone else noticed how bars come on the market, taste awesome, then after some time, they either disappear, or they are produced differently? I first noticed this with Detour bars. The caramel oozed out of every bar when I first bought them, then there were questions about the sugar content, and the bar was changed. The same for Ansi Cheesecake bars. The first were soft and fluffy. Now, they are hard and chewy. I sincerely hope this doesn't happen with the Krush bars, or the new Combat Crunch. This whole debate that's going on with saccharide fiber gets me a little concerned. Krush bars use inulin, which from my meager understanding of chemistry, is related to what's in Quest, and many of its competitors.I sound like a Quest hater, but I am not. I've bought many boxes of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. I am just tired of them, and I have my suspicions. The same may apply for Krush, in terms of ingredients. No one really checks these things. But I really hated the step backward we took with protein bars. Everything is like a Powerbar now, and that was a fad over ten years ago. We can do better, and the promise of the Combat Crunch, B-UP and Krush bars gives me hope once again. If you're like me and long for something that you can enjoy, give the Krush bars a try. I will sample some other flavors when I order the variety box, but if they are anything near the birthday cake flavor, you're in for a treat.Rating:Taste: 8/10Texture: 9/10Nutr Profile: 9/10Price: 8/10 ($2.40/bar)Overall: 8.5/10