Algae Energy Bars

An energy bar is snack food usually marketed to athletes or other physically active people who wish to maintain their calorific needs during strenuous physical activity. Some brands of energy bars are also sold as dietary supplements. 

WildBar is a commercial organic energy snack bar made with cacao and blue green algae. Other ingredients include macadamia nuts, hemp seeds, maca root powder, mesquite, which is all sweetened with dark blue agave.

The WildBar has an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) rating of 8768, which is higher than many other foodstuffs. For instance, Noni Juice has 398 ORAC points and Goji/Wolfberry Juice around 363 ORAC points. 

Energy in food comes from three main sources: fat, protein and carbohydrates. A typical energy bar will supply about 200–300 Calories (840–1,300 kJ), 3–9 g of fat, 7–15 g of protein, and 20–40 g of carbohydrates. 

For comparison the WildBar with a serving of 45g has: 185 Calories, 9.5g Fat , 2g Sat Fat, 72mg Sodium, 48mg Potassium, 19g Carb, 5g Sugars, 14g Fiber , 5.5g Protein, Vitamin A 254IU(22%DV), B12 3mcg(53%DV), Copper 26%DV, Zinc 12%DV, Selenium 16%DV, Molydenum 37%DV, Phosphorus 60%DV Note: DV % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

OK that is great, but why not make your own algae energy snack bar? Building yourself a small photobioreactor and harvesting your very own algae makes for a great family project.

Homemade Algae Energy Bar Recipe

½ cup pitted dates
½ cup soaked walnuts (soak for 8 hours)
¾ cups raw almonds
3 tablespoons honey
¾ cups shredded coconut unsweetened
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup dried cranberries unsweetened
1-2 tablespoons of your favourite algae powder
coconut to roll the balls in or sprinkle over the top of the bars  

Put the almonds into a food processor with S-shape attachment and grind them into a meal texture. Add the rest of the ingredients, and process into a dough type mixture.  

For bars, press the dough into an 8x8inch pan and sprinkle with coconut. To make it easier put in the fridge for 1-2 hours before cutting into bars.  

To make algae energy balls, roll dough into 16 to 24 balls and then roll each ball in coconut. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.  

If you want to take your protein bars to the next level, melt some 85% cacao content chocolate and sweeten it with stevia, to taste. Paint it across the bottoms of the protein bars with the small end of a spoon. Place chocolate side down on a chilled pan lined with wax paper. 

Anytime you are experiencing an energy crisis, instead of reaching for a soft drink or candy bar, have an algae energy ball or algae energy bar!  

To your excellent health!