Clif Bar & Co. introduced two new flavors to its LUNA Protein line: Lemon Vanilla and Chocolate Coconut Almond.  Lemon Vanilla, the first LUNA Protein bar without a chocolate coating, has a zesty lemon taste with a creamy vanilla outer shell, while Chocolate Coconut Almond is wrapped in chocolate with hints of toasted coconut and chopped almonds.

With these new flavors, LUNA says it wants to give women more flavor variety with a protein-packed snack “that is nutritious, delicious and helps them keep pace with the day.”  Officials note that LUNA Protein is gluten-free and provides 12 grams of protein, “making it easier to stay satiated between meals and keep hunger pangs at bay.”

“We realize that women are constantly on-the-go and may not have time to sit down and enjoy a protein-filled meal; they need a go-to snack that is nutritious and will keep them satiated,” says Tara DelloIacono-Thies, registered dietitian and manager of nutrition strategy for LUNA. “This is where LUNA Protein comes in. We want women to have a nourishing and tasty option when they need it.”

Protein has earned its rightful position as a powerful nutrient for wellness, but is not always available as a quick and portable snack. As shown in “The Power of Snacking: The Next Decade of Women's Changing Nutrition*,”  the time women spend in “secondary eating” – eating outside of traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner – while doing other activities, will continue to soar. The study reports that “snack time” will become the new “meal time,” indicating that women are in need of nourishing, protein-rich snacks.

As one of the most versatile nutrients, protein supplies valuable enzymes that help regulate the body’s functions, transports nutrients, oxygen and waste throughout the body and perhaps most well-known, maintains healthy muscles. Eating high-protein foods leads to greater satiety as they slow down the digestive system.**

“The amount of protein women need depends on their activity level,” explains DelloIacono-Thies. “I recommend women use the following basic formula to determine how much protein they should have each day to keep them going strong:

• Spends most the day sitting: Weight in pounds x 0.4 = grams of protein/day
• Physically demanding job & regularly active: Weight in pounds x 0.6 = grams of protein/day
• Competitive athlete: Weight in pounds x 0.75 = grams of protein/day.”

Clif Bar introduced the LUNA Protein line in 2010. LUNA Protein bars contain fewer than 200 calories and 12g of protein. They are a good source of fiber (3g)*** and are gluten-free.  LUNA Protein Lemon Vanilla and Chocolate Coconut Almond are now available at select grocery and natural food retailers and will roll out to all food retailers nationwide in early April 2014. They also can be found online at www.lunabar.com with a suggested retail price at $1.39.

*“The Power of Snacking: The Next Decade of Women’s Changing Nutrition” is a forecast study sponsored by LUNA and authored by the Institute for the Future (IFTF), an independent non-profit strategic research group, January 2012

** “Protein Prose,” Tara DelloIaono-Thies, http://www.lunabar.com/nutrition/article/protein-prose.

***Contains 6g of total fat.