Picky Bars

Born in a home kitchen by professional athletes, Lauren Fleshman, Jesse Thomas, and Steph Bruce set out to create something that didn’t exist - a real food energy bar that was nutritionally balanced to support their active lifestyle. Lauren’s degree in Health and Athletic Performance (from Stanford, no less) gave the brains to the recipe building, and Jesse’s blossoming triathlon career gave a solid testing ground. Steph, who has Celiac Disease, drove home the need for a product safe for those with food sensitivities.

Unlike other real food products, Picky Bars hold a nutritional backbone strong enough to support hard workouts and aid in recovery after, yet still taste good enough for everyday snacking. By avoiding unnatural (and unpronounceable!) ingredients they stand out from sport-specific products that are often weighed down with excessive protein and chemicals. On top of all that they are completely gluten, dairy, soy, and GMO free.

Combining fast-acting carbs with long-lasting fats, and a touch of protein for recovery after, we cracked the code to keeping the engine running and happy.

With dates acting as the main ingredient throughout the lineup, every flavor holds an energy-packed source of easy-to-convert carbs, a consistent chewy texture, and a touch of sweetness with minimal added sugars. A variety of nut and seed butters, dried fruits, and brown rice protein combine in perfect harmony to round out the 200 calorie profile.

Picky Bars is still privately owned and operated out of Jesse’s hometown and outdoor mecca of Bend, Oregon.