Brain boosting food - the Ginkgo Biloba tree in autumn

A while back, I fell across publicity describing products made by Natural Balance Foods, and got in touch.

A few weeks later, a courier turned up at my front door bearing a green prezzie box containing 13 healthy snacks. I’ve been nibbling on them ever since.

The Nakd (sic) bars are a 100% natural whole food bar containing unsweetened fruit, rolled oats, nuts and spices. They are moist, loaded with fibre and very low in fat.

When my hairdresser came the other day, she carefully picked out a peanut bar and gave it an enthusiastic thumb up. (Too bad, I rather fancied the peanut bar.)

My favourite so far is Cocoa Loco; the 30g size makes a healthy dessert. However, because I’m not a sweet-toothed person, I still find these bars a bit revved up for my taste although there’s no denying they deal quickly with low blood sugar levels.

Trek Bars are a slightly different breed: all-natural, protein-rich whole food endurance bars, again made with unsweetened fruit, rolled oats, nuts and spices, but with additional soy and herbal extracts.

Unlike most, Natural Balance bars contain a natural balance of protein, carbohydrates, fat and fibre for lasting energy.  They contain no artificial ingredients, and are made raw, never cooked.

Here’s the official lowdown on them:

•    High protein to help maintain muscle, support metabolism, balance blood sugar, and control appetite.
•    Rich in phytonutrients from raw plant foods to promote a healthy immune system and body function.
•    Natural source of essential vitamins and minerals like B-vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron to help provide energy, support a strong immune system, strengthen bones, and combat stress and ageing.
•    High fibre to help balance blood sugar levels, control appetite and aid digestion.
•    Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng herbal extracts to promote alertness, mental clarity and focus.

Prezzie box from Natural Balance Foods

The different varieties include Apple Pie, Berry Cherry and Cocoa Loco. There are also orange, lemon and cherry raisins. I just opened the lemon ones, and they taste like ordinary raisins with a lemony fizzy kind of boost. Kids would love ‘em.

Natural Balance Foods has a cheery website with all kinds of useful information on, including the chance to win a year’s supply of Trek bars. Go for it!

http://eatnakd.com/