What is the difference between MacroBar and LaraBar? We have been asked this question so many times that it seems worthwhile to spend a little time analyzing both bars. Both are made with simple, healthy ingredients without additives or preservatives. So what is the difference?
1. Size. LaraBar is 48g. MacroBar 55 to 71g. Although we are not going to compare every bar if you make an adjustment for the size you will find that calories are about the same. MacroBar is lower in sugar and LaraBar is lower in fat.
2. MacroBars are certified organic. Larabar, other than the Jocalat bars, are not organic.
3. MacroBars are sweetened with brown rice syrup. LaraBar is sweetened with date paste. Brown rice syrup is primarily made up of maltose; these are fermented grains which are less destructive to the body's mineral balance. They contain the nutrients found in whole grains and also contain good percentages of complex sugars which take longer to digest than simple sugars. Thus you eliminate the sugar highs and crashes associated with other sweeteners. Date paste, although a natural sweetener, is a simple sugar primarily made up of fructose. It has a higher glycemic index than brown rice syrup.
4. All Macrobars contain grains, considered a necessary part of the macrobiotic diet. Fruit is used sparingly because it contains fructose, a simple carbohydrate that has a similar effect on the body as refined sugar. Nuts and seeds are used in all the bars for their nutritional value. Whereas the focus of LaraBar is fruit, especially dates, MacroBars is a blend of grains, nuts, seeds and fruit in smaller quantities. The greater use of complex carbohydrates in MacroBars makes you feel more satiated so that, as well as great snack bars, MacroBars are also good meal replacement and/or food bars.
Actually- out of all respect Larabar is a balance between fruit and nuts. Larabar is not lower is fat, because its first ingredient in all bars is either Walnuts, Almond or Peanuts. I.E the peanut chocolate bar from Macro i just ate has 290 calories, 10 grams of total fat, 2.5 of saturated, 39 grams of carbs, 15 of protein and 19 sugar. Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie has 3 ingredients in the peanut butter cookie- dates, salt and peanutes. Peanut butter jelly by Lara has 220 calories, 10 grams total fat, 2 saturated, 5 mono an 2 poly, 27 grams of carbs, 4 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein and 19 grams of sugar.
So- lara is smaller in size yes- but is balanced between nuts and fruits- primarily date and walnut/almond/peanut. It contains fewer ingredients, usually less than 5. Due to its smaller size it has lower carb/sugar content. As with the protein- only the peanut butter chocolate by Macro surpases the protein content of a Lara- but it also surpases the calories too, which takes it from a snack to a meal.
I found some Macrobars at Safeway, of all things (in the produce department). They had only the Peanut Butter variety. It was the tastiest, fillingest health bar I have ever had. Congrats on producing such a wonderful food.