Warrior Diet bars

[charleslong]

I was just looking at the ingredients of the Warrior Diet bars as I was thinking of ordering some to take with me on vacation next month. I probably will get some but I was curious. The graham cracker flavor has artificial flavor and various artificial colors in it. Why? That seems kind of strange considering what is said about those in the Anti-Estrogenic Diet. I was surprised to see those ingredients listed. Needless to say, I won't be buying that flavor but will get some of the other 2.

Charles

[DN Moderator]

Charles, good question.  I appreciate your tough questions.  These are the types of questions that help push us where we need to be.  I know that we are in the midst of moving any of our existing products to the state where they don't contain any artificial ingredients.  I believe most are already there, but there may be a few that are not yet.  While I'm not totally sure about the "artificial" flavoring in the Graham Cracker bar, I can assure  you that I'll ask Ori about it and get back to you.  Like any person striving to reach a level of purity in his diet, it can also be difficult at times to get that quality when you go into production.  Rest assured, we're doing everything we can to strive to have the best quality ingredients in all of our protein and other products.  Also, I believe that the Graham Cracker Bar was one of Ori's first bars.  The others came later.  Just like you, as his level of research and awareness is raised about certain issues (namely estrogenic chemicals and preservatives), he's adjusting his products appropriately.  I also can assure you that he wouldn't sell the Graham Cracker bars if he felt that they contained any detrimental ingredients.

[Webmaster]

First off, I'd like to say that the Graham Cracker Delight (http://www.defensenutrition.com/cart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=15)is one of my favorite products because the taste is amazing! For the record, my favorite is the EstroX Meal Replacement Shake (http://www.defensenutrition.com/cart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId= mixed with very little water so that it's like a paste or frosting consistency...in fact, I think it tastes *better* than frosting!  Both flavors are incredible, but I think the chocolate beats out the vanilla slightly. I think that's why we've been out of stock on the chocolate: we all can't stop eating the stock! 

Anyway, as Rick mentioned, Ori is constantly striving to provide the best quality products available anywhere, and has been able to do so with products that have incredible taste. Keep in mind that it takes tremendous time, effort and money to go from research and development to market. Ori always has something in the works and we all get to try the first samples to see if it meets his high standards of amazing taste (we trust the quality of the ingredients he chooses far exceeds anything else on the market). Often it takes several iterations to get that amazing taste, and each of those small production runs take time and costs money.

For example, there's a new Warrior Chocolate bar forth coming that is simply the best tasting treat *AND* is even lower glycemic than the current bars. We've gone through many iterations on this, and some didn't taste so well. The last few sample runs have been great, but Ori keeps insisting on tweaking it to make it even better. I think we've finally convinced him that he's developed a winner. I think it tastes very much like a tootsie roll, but better!

I'll say that the Graham Cracker Delights are by far the most popular flavor (so far), so it's low priority to adjust the ingredients. But with each new product, Ori sets his standards higher and higher. He did mention that he wanted to re-do the GCD's to remove the artificial coloring and perhaps make them even lower glycemic (they contain sweet potato to make them sweet, which Ori says could be improved...but there's NO artificial sweeteners, NO added fructose and NO sugar alcohol). I think the new chocolate bar will set the new standard for premium protein bars. We all believe that the EstroX shake is the premiere product for nutrition content, quality of ingredients and sheer taste. I don't think it's possible to improve the taste of that product, but I'm sure Ori will try.

[charleslong]

Thanks for the answers, both of you. So it looks like changes to remove the artificial ingredients are already underway or in the planning stages. I never did understand the reason for using artificial colors in something like these bars because people buy them for health reasons, not necessarily for the looks. For something like Nacho Doritos or Cheetos or Fruit Loops, the artificial colors are there to make them look apealing for the consumer but I don't see it being needed for the Warrior Bar. People buy those for a protein boost probably because they trust Ori's products.

I can tell you now that I will continue to do business here because of the quality of the ingredients (except for the artificial stuff in the graham cracker bar) and the taste. My first order was just recently and I was blown away by the taste of the Vanilla Estro-X. I've wasted money on other whey products in the past because they tasted so nasty I just couldn't choke them down. This stuff is good. When chocolate is available again, I'm going to have to get some. But this and the Warrior Whey are both far better tasting than anything else I've ever tried. I might have to try the Warrior Milk too one of these days. I'm going to order some of the bars. I've yet to try a protein bar that actually tasted good. They all taste artificial and it's been a long time since I've eaten one. It's also been a long time since I've been on vacation so I'm going to get some to take along with me. I have a son graduating from army boot camp and I will be going to see him before he heads off to airborne training. I plan on keeping up with workouts while I'm gone. I'm not going to take any kettlebells with me but will do bodyweight stuff and the jump rope.

Is the chocolate going to be available again soon?

Charles

[DN Moderator]

Charles, the Chocolate, I believe should be available by the end of this week.  Also, below is Ori's response regarding the Graham Cracker bars:

The Graham Cracker bar was our first.  Yes it has artificial flavoring oils but the reason that they’re called “artificial” is because they involve a certain processing – esterification – this is a safe process that occurs naturally in plants, but nonetheless has been legally called “artificial” because it was processed in a lab.  We’ve tried to put natural flavoring instead but all experiments have failed to provide a good tasting, edible bar.  Since then we haven’t used anything that is categorized legally as artificial.  The graham bar is our most popular.  Unlike other companies that overlook the dangers of chemical fillers, we try to educate the consumer to avoid them and indeed all our products (including the graham bar) are made from natural ingredients, low in sugar, with no sugar alcohol, glycerin or artificial sweeteners, which are typically added in large amounts in other sport nutrition and diet products.  All that said, we’re still aware of the problem – at least on the label.  Let’s say for now that not all artificial things are the same.  Nonetheless, we’re continuously working on improving our line of products and as you can see.  Since the inception of the Graham Cracker bar, all our products are all natural, low glycemic and taste great.

[charleslong]

Thanks for the info. Now I know about the artificial flavor. Now if the artificial colors would be removed like the webmaster posted, it would be great.

Charles

[DN Moderator]

The New Warrior Bar Chocolate (http://www.defensenutrition.com/cart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=46) is now available for purchase!  You have to try it.  It tastes fantastic.

[charleslong]

Okay. I ordered some before you guys that work there eat them all.

Charles

[dogsneck]

When would one eat the diet bars?  During the undereating phase I imagine, but would it be as a lunch or breakfast replacement?

Thanks