PowerBar Performance vs. Triple Threat

Both the PowerBar Performance and Triple Threat bars are meant for consumption before or during activity. However, the two differ in the type of activity they are targeted for. The Performance bar is a good choice for higher intensity efforts, such as swimming/cycling/running races or training. The Triple Threat bar is meant for more "moderate" efforts, such as skating or snowboarding.

Ingredients (tried to compare similar flavors - chocolate peanut butter):
[I didn't bother with some of the more obvious ingredients (milk, peanuts, salt, etc.) or repeats from last week, as well as all of the vitamins, minerals and the "less than 2% of" ingredients... this would take way too long]

• Cane Juice Syrup - sugar... although a "healthier" alternative to more refined products
• Corn Syrup - not to be confused with "high-fructose corn syrup", this additive is composed mainly of glucose (sugar)
• Inulin (from chicory) - a naturally occurring polysaccharide (carbohydrate) that can be used to replace sugar, flour, or fat
• Vegetable Glycerin - a sweet-tasting, syrupy liquid
• Barley Malt - a natural sweetener made from barley that is mainly comprised of maltose and other, complex carbohydrates
• Alkalized Cocoa - cocoa powder that has been treated with alkali to neutralize acid
• Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil - slightly more stable palm oil that is found in a lot of chocolate coatings... unfortunately, it contains more saturated fat than just normal palm oil
• Rice Bran / Oat Bran- the outer shell of the grain, which is important source of dietary fiber and other minerals
• Whole Oats - the entire oat grain (lowers cholesterol and adds fiber)
• Milled Rice - basically, white rice
• Brown Rice Flour - flour made from brown rice... also gluten-free
• Peanut Flour - flour made from peanuts... adds flavor and protein
• Soy Protein Isolate / Soy Lecithin - soy is generally added to food to increase its protein content... it's also gluten-free

Analysis of Nutrition Info:
The two bars had approximately the same number of calories (220-240 per bar). However, the ratio of fat : protein : carbohydrates differed significantly between the two. The Performance bar essentially employs a 1:2:11 ratio (each bar contains 3-4g of fat, 8-9g of protein, and 44-46g of carbohydrates), while the Triple Threat ratio is closer to 1:1.5:4 ratio (each bar contains 6-9g of fat, 10-11g of protein, and 30-32g of carbohydrates). Additionally, the Performance bars generally have more sodium, but less potassium and dietary fiber than the Triple Threat bars.

#20's Thoughts:
I actually find the formula for the Triple Threat to be a bit weird. I mean, I've always been under the impression that you want to have proportionately greater "simple carbohydrates" to fat/protein pre-race because the former is much easier to break down. I mean, this article recommends 80% of calories from carbs, although I think they are more talking about what you eat the night before versus morning of. I'm also not sure why they are highlighting the whole "more dietary fiber" in the Triple Threat formula... this seems counter-productive to racing. Oh well, I guess the food scientists at PowerBar know more than me. Still, I think I'll stick with my favorite- Chocolate PowerBar Performance (yeah, I like to pretend that I'm eating brownies for breakfast)! #20