GoMacro MacroBars: Clean Snacks in More Than a Dozen Flavors

We first trialed and reviewed GoMacro MacroBars almost 12 years ago! A lot has changed with their formula, packaging, and varieties over the years, so Sarah S. is giving us a big update.

GoMacro MacroBars have been a staple in our house, and my purse, for over 5 years. That was back when the packaging was different and there were only a few flavors. They were one of the only gluten-free and vegan bars I liked at the time. Over the years, some things have changed. They have new packaging and many new flavors, but the simplicity of this snack remains.

The ingredients in GoMacro MacroBars seem almost too good to be true. The GoMacro founders were followers of the Macrobiotic Diet, which focuses on unrefined, whole, and natural foods – ingredients that are grown, not made. This translates into no refined sugars, white flours, or preservatives in their flagship bar line.

However, I was concerned that brown rice syrup is the first ingredient in many of the GoMacro MacroBars. It was also surprising, since these bars are not as sweet as many other bars on the market. It seems that by law ingredients have to be listed in order of weight, and brown rice syrup is very dense. In fact, brown rice syrup weighs more than many of the other ingredients in these bars. So even though the bars contain more oats and nuts by quantity, brown rice syrup has to be listed first because it weighs more.

As a side note, I like companies that give back to society. And GoMacro selects one flavor every quarter to highlight as their “Give Back Bar.” They donate 10% of the sales of that bar to a non-profit organization. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from their Everlasting Joy Bars goes toward feeding the homeless.

Tasting Notes for GoMacro MacroBars

I was given the opportunity to try their three new bar flavors (sent to me by GoMacro). And I’m also including tasting notes for three of our favorite flavors of GoMacro MacroBars, which we purchase regularly. At last count, they had a total of 13 flavors!

I truly enjoy the texture of the GoMacro MacroBars. They are soft, chewy, and dense, not dry or crumbly. So they stick together, even when smashed in a purse or gym bag on the go.

Sweet Awakening (Mocha Chocolate Chip) – NEW

As a coffee and chocolate lover, I had big expectations for this flavor. Fortunately, it was everything I dreamed it would be! It’s a coffee-infused bar with subtle sweetness, a hit of cocoa, and chocolate chips sprinkled through out. This is a great grab-and-go flavor to pair with your cup of Joe on busy mornings, but it also makes a nice afternoon energizer.

Ingredients – Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Almond Butter, Organic Protein Blend (Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Organic Pea Protein), Organic Puffed Brown Rice, Organic Sunflower Seed Butter, Organic Fair Trade Chocolate Chips (Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cocoa, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Cacao Powder, Organic Coffee, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Vanilla Flavor.

Protein Decadence (Dark Chocolate + Almonds) – NEW

This flavor reminds me of a brownie! Not a sugary sweet chocolate brownie, but a dark chocolate one with a generous sprinkling of chocolate chips. It has just the right amount of sweetness for me. The almonds in this bar are not very pronounced, so it has a fudgy chewy texture. It satisfies my chocolate cravings, but also fills me up and provides lasting energy.

Ingredients – Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Almond Butter, Organic Protein Blend (Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Organic Pea Protein), Organic Puffed Brown Rice, Organic Almonds, Organic Fair Trade Chocolate Chips (Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cocoa, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Sunflower Seed Butter, Organic Cacao Powder, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Sea Salt.

Blissful Daybreak (Blueberry + Cashew Butter) – NEW

At first I thought “blueberry pancakes,” but after a couple more bites it reminded me of a blueberry muffin! I instantly knew this would be my youngest daughter’s new favorite. The texture in this bar is great, with big pieces of cashews and dried blueberries. I  didn’t expect to love this flavor quite so much, but the “blissful” name says it all.

Ingredients – Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Cashew Butter, Organic Protein Blend (Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Organic Pea Protein), Organic Cashews, Organic Puffed Brown Rice, Organic Sunflower Seed Butter, Organic Blueberries (Organic Blueberries, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Sunflower Oil), Organic Blueberry Flavor.

Protein Pleasure (Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip)

Peanut butter and chocolate – need I say more? This is still one of my favorite flavors of the GoMacro MacroBars. It reminds me of a spoon dipped in peanut butter and sprinkled with chocolate chips, like a treat I enjoyed as a child. And the texture is almost like a chocolate chip peanut butter fudge.

Ingredients – Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Peanut Butter, Organic Protein Blend (Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Organic Pea Protein), Organic Puffed Brown Rice, Organic Fair Trade Chocolate Chips (Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cocoa, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Peanuts.

Everlasting Joy (Coconut + Almond Butter + Chocolate Chips)

True to its name, this bar is pure joy. The almond butter and coconut come together to create a balanced and simple flavor. But the chocolate chips sprinkled through out add a little surprise. I thought I would get to keep this flavor to myself, but it ended up being a family favorite.

Ingredients – Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Almond Butter, Organic Protein Blend (Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Protein, Organic Pea Protein), Organic Puffed Brown Rice, Organic Fair Trade Chocolate Chips (Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cocoa, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Unsweetened Coconut, Organic Almonds.

Sunny Uplift (Cherries + Berries)

Unlike their other bars, Sunny Uplift is more like a chewy granola bar. Instead of a firm fudge-like texture, it’s a soft packed oat bar that is filled with dried berries. And I mean filled. There isn’t a single bite in this sweet-tart bar that doesn’t contain berries. It was definitely a sweet and shining flavor surprise the first time I tried it.

Ingredients – Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Gluten-Free Rolled Oats, Organic Cherries, Organic Almond Butter, Organic Dates, Organic Cranberries (Organic Cranberries, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Sunflower Oil), Organic Puffed Brown Rice, Organic Raisins, Organic Natural Cherry Flavor.

The Facts on GoMacro MacroBars

Price: The suggested retail price for a GoMacro MacroBar is $2.89 per 1.9- to 2.4-ounce bar. They also have MacroBar Minis available for $1.29 per bar.

Availability: GoMacro Bars are currently sold throughout the United States and Canada at natural food stores and some conventional grocers. Visit the GoMacro website for a store locator.

Certifications: GoMacro MacroBars are Certified Organic, Certified Kosher Pareve, Certified Gluten Free, Certified Vegan,  Certified R.A.W., Certified C.L.E.A.N., and Non-GMO Verified.

Dietary Notes: By ingredients, GoMacro MacroBars are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, soy-free, vegan / plant-based, and vegetarian. Some varieties are made without peanuts and/or tree nuts. Nonetheless, always read the ingredient statement and check with the company on their manufacturing processes for all varieties if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. Processes and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company / product.

Allergen Disclaimer: All of the GoMacro MacroBars have the statement, “Manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts and other nuts. May contain pit or nutshell fragments.”

For More Product Information: Visit the GoMacro website at gomacro.com.