Pizza In A Pouch-The Squeezable Real Food Trend

Real food in a squeezable pouch–it’s everywhere. First adopted by paleo enthusiasts and toddlers alike as a snack to reduce the chance of “hangry” episodes, traditional energy bar companies are beginning to embrace the real food during exercise trend (thanks Skratch Labs!). Clif, Munk Pack, and Power Bar–to name just a few–created a variety of squeezable pouches, from sweet to savory, where you no longer have to chew your food.

The Clif Organic Energy Food pouches were inspired by the home recipes of Team Clif Bar athletes, including world-class ultra runner Scott Jurek. Each pouch is made from real food ingredients (Certified USDA organic) in delicious sweet or savory flavors (the hands down favorite at Outdoor Retailer was Pizza Margherita).

The Clif Organic Energy Food sweet recipes are crafted for activities of one hour or more, while savory recipes also include small amounts of protein and fat beneficial for activities lasting two hours or longer. For example, the organic bananas in Banana Mango with Coconut provide both glucose and fructose for energy, while organic sunflower seed butter in Pizza Margherita delivers some fat and protein for longer-duration training and racing.

Each recipe is gluten-free and does not contain partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or synthetic preservatives. All recipes source ingredients that are not genetically engineered.

The Clif Organic Energy Food pouches come in four different flavors: Banana Beet with Ginger, Banana Mango with Coconut, Pizza Margherita, and Sweet Potato with Sea Salt. The sweet flavors retail for $2.29, while the savory flavors retail for $2.99–both available now. Clif pouches are compatible with CamelBak bite valves for easier eating.

On the breakfast food end of the spectrum, the Munk Packoatmeal and fruit squeezes offer a satisfying mix of whole grain rolled oats, flax, and a variety of fruit bits. A great source of fiber (3-4 grams), the organic and gluten-free squeezable pouches provide you with delicious sustained energy to help keep you going throughout day.

The Munk Packscome in three flavors: Apple Quinoa Cinnamon, Blueberry Acai Flax, and Raspberry Coconut. A pack of 6 retails for $14.99.

Finally, the Powerbar Performance Energy Blends.Made with real fruit, this energy food is formulated with PowerBar’s C2Max, a 2:1 glucose to fructose blend the company found to deliver 20-50% more energy to muscles than glucose alone and improve endurance performance by 8%. The squeeze pouches come in four flavors: Pear Blackberry, Pear Apple Peach, Banana Blueberry, and Apple Mango Strawberry, and retail for $2.49 each.