Zing: Raising the Bar on Gluten Free Protein Bars

I’ve read a lot about Zing Bars, but never ran across them in a local store until recently. The four founders of the company are registered dietitians, each with a master’s degree in nutritional biochemistry and over 40 years of combined clinical experience, so you can count on the fact that there’s some science backing them up.

The lively name and bright packaging initially drew my attention. Add to that the fact that they are wheat and gluten free, soy and corn free, 10-13 grams of protein, 3-6 grams of fiber, 100% natural AND low glycemic – what more could you want? Taste.

Zing bars deliver that taste. They have three types of Zing bars currently, all with a creamy nut butter base: Chocolate Coated, Soft Cookie, and Fruit & Nut Butter. I can’t really pick a category that I prefer, since I have a favorite in each group.

Chocolate Coated

In the Chocolate Coated category, the Chocolate Coconut is amazing. This may be my favorite gluten free bar ever, and I’ve tried a lot of bars! It’s gluten, soy and dairy free (but not tree nut free.) Just a thin coating of chocolate over a tasty soft, coco-nutty filling hits the spot. Tastes like 500 calories, but fortunately it’s only 210. By the way, the chocolate coated Chocolate Peanut Butter bar is also delicious!

Chocolate Coconut: 100% NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Almond Butter, Rice Protein Concentrate, ORGANIC Agave Syrup, ORGANIC Dark Chocolate (ORGANIC Sugar, ORGANIC Cocoa Liquor, ORGANIC Cocoa Butter, ORGANIC Vanilla), ORGANIC Tapioca Syrup, Chicory Root Fiber, ORGANIC Brown Rice Crisps (ORGANIC Brown Rice, Sea Salt, ORGANIC Brown Rice Syrup), Unsweetened Coconut, Roasted Almonds, Natural Coconut Flavor, Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Vitamin E), Sea Salt. ALLERGENS: Contains Tree Nuts (Almonds & Coconut).

Soft Cookie

In the Soft Cookie category, the Peanut Butter chocolate Chip is hard to resist. This is just what the name implies, a soft cookie consistency. There’s a nice, big peanut taste, with just enough chocolate chips to keep your interest until it’s gone. This bar is gluten, soy and dairy free (but not peanut free.) Tastes like 500 calories, but this one is also only 210.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip: 100% NATURAL INGREDIENTS: ORGANIC Peanuts, ORGANIC Agave Syrup, ORGANIC Tapioca Syrup, Rice Protein Concentrate, Dark Chocolate Chips (Evaporated Cane Juice, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter), Certifi ed Gluten Free Oats, Chicory Root Fiber, ORGANIC Brown Rice Crisps (ORGANIC Brown Rice, Sea Salt, ORGANIC Brown Rice Syrup), Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt, Natural Peanut Extract, Natural Cocoa Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Vitamin E). ALLERGENS: Contains Peanuts.

Fruit & Nut Butter

In the Fruit & Nut Butter category, the tangy sweet Cranberry Orange flavor kind of wakes up your mouth. Even if you were blindfolded, there would be no mistaking the bright fruity and nutty flavors. This bar is gluten, soy and dairy free (but not tree nut free.)

Cranberry Orange: 100% NATURAL INGREDIENTS: ORGANIC Cashew Butter, Rice Protein Concentrate, ORGANIC Agave Syrup, Dried Cranberries (with Apple Juice Concentrate), ORGANIC Tapioca Syrup, Cashews (with Canola Oil and Salt), Chicory Root Fiber, ORGANIC Brown Rice Crisps (ORGANIC Brown Rice, Sea Salt, ORGANIC Brown Rice Syrup), Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt, ORGANIC Orange Oil, Sunflower Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Vitamin E). ALLERGENS: Contains Tree Nuts (Cashews).

About Zing’s manufacturing practices from their website:
“Zing Bars are produced at a facility that holds current NSF(R) certifications for HACCP, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and “Best Industry Practices.”  In plain English, these practices ensure that the Zing Bars are made according to the highest level of food safety standards in the world.  Furthermore, we routinely use a third party lab to test the bars for gluten.  All Zing flavors test at or below 5ppm gliadin and 10ppm gluten, which is the lowest amount detectable with current technology.  In addition, the dairy free Cranberry Orange and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavors are routinely tested for milk protein, and always come out at or below the lowest detectable amount.  Let us know if you’d like to see copies of these laboratory tests.”

If you are interested in specific ingredients, check out their website for details on the science behind Zing bars and why they have chosen to make these tasty bars soy free and use agave as a sweetener.

I’m always on the look out for a great gluten free, soy free, delicious bar to send to camp, work, a plane trip or a run. Finally found it! No wonder they call them amaZING!

You can buy Zing Bars online (google it for the lowest prices)

Or use their store locator to find them at a store near you.

Here are all the current flavors: Chocolate Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Almond Blueberry, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Cranberry Orange, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

If you’ve tried Zing Bars, leave a comment below with your favorite flavor!

Gluten Freeville Product Reviews: Products are either purchased by us or sent to us for sampling. If we don’t LOVE it, you won’t see it reviewed here. No money is ever accepted in exchange for a product review. The sole purpose of our product reviews is to introduce you to great new products we have found as a resource to you, the reader.