December 12, 2025

Real Food Bars

Tastemaker
By Lynda Wheatley | Jan. 19, 2019

Several years and one broken food processor later, Kingsley-born and raised Anna Sullivan and her husband, Sean, have found nutrition-bar nirvana: They’ve created and launched their own line of plant-based nutrition bars, all of which are packed with superfoods like kale, quinoa, almonds, dates, and pea protein, and are gluten, dairy, and soy free. They’re low in sugar, nil in sugar alcohols, and made to meet an active bod’s macronutrient needs: Each has 15 grams of protein, about 30 grams of slow-release carbs, and 10 or 11 grams of fat. There’s also only 10 grams of sugar — all natural, from organic clover honey. All fine and good, you say, but what about the taste? Well, if you’ve ever made a meal of a protein bar, you know you’re not noshing on something that tastes like a Snickers. But as 250ish-calorie protein-packed pocket-sized fuel goes, they’re better than any fakey-tasting competition, plus they’re actually filled with real food. Our favorite: the Peanut Butter bar, which our editor inhaled before anyone else could sample. Other flavors available are Cacao Sea Salt and Cherry Cashew. $2.99 a bar; find 12-pack boxes, variety packs, and monthly subscription deals ($34.99) at www.realfoodbar.com.

Trending

Fighting Harder for Local Women and Children

Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center (TBCAC) has been navigating a particularly challenging year. Though CEO Lande… Read More >>

Christmas in Sweden (by way of Benzie)

Musical duo Ingemar and Lisa Johansson, also members of Song of the Lakes group, bring “Christmas in Sweden: A Musical… Read More >>

Searching for a Sugar High

In the words of Cookie Monster, “NOM NOM NOM.” It’s cookie season, and we’re here for every gingerbr… Read More >>

Reconnect with Nature This December at the Botanic Garden

If the cold and the dark have you feeling down, brighten up the day with the three remaining 2025 events at the Botanic Gard… Read More >>