Zing Nutrition Bars are quietly becoming a hit in the athletic community. NFL Pro Bowl Tight End Tony Gonzalez recently recommended Zing bars in his new book, The All-Pro Diet, co-written by sports dietitian, Mitzi Dulan. Professional sports teams such as the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks and the Seattle Mariners order Zing bars for their athletes. They also come highly recommended by Nancy Clark, a bestselling author and sports nutritionist formerly pictured on Wheaties cereal boxes.
 
Zing bars has a great story behind it. Four clinical nutritionists from the Pacific Northwest had struggled to find a nutrition bar on the market that was nutritionally balanced and that tasted good enough to recommend to their patients. Frustrated by the lack of choices, they created their own all-natural nutrition bar to fill the void. “We wanted to bring something unique to the marketplace,” said Co-Founder Minh-Hai Tran, MS, RD. “If you look at a lot of the nutrition bars out there, their numbers may look good, but if you look at their ingredients, they cut corners to keep costs down. Our bar is like the return of the authentic nutrition bar.”
 
After 18 months of research, development, and testing, the perfect bar was ready to be introduced to the marketplace. In 2008, Zing rolled out 3 original flavors with a soft launch that catered primarily to their own patients. After word got out, Zing expanded their line and started offering their unique bars to the public.
 
Zing bars come slickly packaged and are available in 6 delectable flavors—oatmeal chocolate chip, chocolate peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate chip, cranberry orange, almond blueberry, and chocolate coconut (the newest flavor). The chocolate peanut butter flavor (coated in organic dark chocolate with peanuts) was definitely my favorite out of the 5-pack that Zing sent me for this review, with the refreshing cranberry orange flavor coming in a close second. 
 
What really stood out for me is that the bars have a smooth texture and a nice, clean taste that doesn’t leave you with a nasty aftertaste full of chemicals, as is so often the case with many nutrition bars. Once you eat a Zing bar, it sits well and makes you feel energized.
 
While the Zing bars definitely pass muster in the taste department, the key question is whether they can satisfy the nutritional needs of elite athletes and provide them with the needed performance edge.
 
Zing bars use 100% natural ingredients and have an optimal balance of high quality protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates, and beneficial fats (from nuts). All Zing Bars are made from hormone-and antibiotic-free ingredients, and contain nothing artificial. There are no artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives; the sweet taste comes from low glycemic organic agave syrup. There are no synthetic vitamins or minerals or allergy-aggravating gluten, wheat or soy protein. There are no unhealthy trans fats or empty calories.
 
Zing bars contain an ideal ratio of protein, carbs, and fats for sustained energy. Each bar contains between 10-13g protein (whey or rice protein), 20-28g of carbs, and 7-10g of total fat. This combination of protein and fat slows the absorption of glucose (from carbs) into the bloodstream, providing for stabilized blood sugar, moods, and energy throughout the day. They are also a great source of fiber with 3-5g in each bar.
 
“Athletes really need high-quality fuel in their bodies,” Minh-Hai Tran told Access Athletes. “It’s like the difference between cheap and premium gas. Zing bars are very digestive friendly and have good, clear fuel for long-lasting energy. The nutrients give the body and mind great endurance for at least 3 hours. You will not experience an energy crash.”
 
Minh-Hai elaborated further on the benefits for athletes and the value Zing bars can have as a nutritious snack. “It’s a challenge for competitive athletes to sustain their energy levels. Having a lot of quick, healthy food options around is the key to success. By having a stash of Zing bars, athletes can be better prepared to sustain their energy and accelerate their recovery. It’s a timing thing. Having ready-to-go, nutritious foods at your disposal will help you fill the void.”
 
In an oversaturated health bar industry, Zing bars are the perfect snack that will give you a nutritious, competitive edge. 

For more information about Zing Bars, please visit www.zingbars.com. The first 5 people to ask a question about Zing Bars or nutrition will receive a free Zing Six Pack. Be sure to include your email address when submitting your comment. Zing Bars is also offering a 20% discount on any online purchase for Access Athletes readers for the next two weeks (deadline is August 31st). Visit Zing’s online store and use the discount code “ACCESSZING”.