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Best Luna Bars

Updated September 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
LUNA Bar Mash-Ups Lemon Zest & Blueberry
LUNA Bar
Mash-Ups Lemon Zest & Blueberry
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

This bar combines 2 customer-favorite flavors in 1 to create a delicious and satisfying snack.

Pros

Boasts 7 grams of protein for a healthy and filling treat. Gluten-free and made of non-GMO ingredients. Many customers said this quickly became their favorite flavor. Bar is made of oats glazed in syrup, with blueberry compote and lemon glaze drizzle.

Cons

Some found the added blueberry flavoring to be too sweet.

Best Bang for the Buck
LUNA Bar Nutz Over Chocolate
LUNA Bar
Nutz Over Chocolate
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Crunchy Chocolate Pick
Bottom Line

Those wanting to try a LUNA favorite without committing to a bulk buy will appreciate this small pack of peanut and chocolate bars.

Pros

Has a smooth texture balanced with bits of crunchy peanuts. Recipe includes 8 grams of protein for those needing energy. Excellent for breakfast or a quick and easy snack. Customers appreciate the reasonable sugar serving.

Cons

Some buyers claimed the company recently changed its Nutz Over Chocolate recipe, which includes less of the vitamin nutrients of the original.

LUNA Bar Variety Pack
LUNA Bar
Variety Pack
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Variety Pack
Bottom Line

A complementary pairing of fruit and chocolate options for those who enjoy variety in their snacking palates.

Pros

Fruity flavors include the company's tangy Lemonzest and Blueberry Bliss, alongside sweeter chocolate and caramel bars. Chewy texture is helpful for on-the-go snacks. A good source of protein and gluten-free.

Cons

A few customers complained that the box had already been opened upon arrival.

LUNA Bar Lemon Zest and Chocolate Peppermint Stick
LUNA Bar
Lemonzest and Chocolate Peppermint Stick
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2 Flavors in 1
Bottom Line

You don't have to choose between lively lemon or minty chocolate with this Lemonzest and Chocolate Peppermint Stick combo pack.

Pros

Bulk pack includes 36 bars: 18 Lemonzest and 18 Chocolate Peppermint Stick. These plant-based bars are gluten-free, low-sugar, and have 8 grams of protein. Bars withstand being stored in a purse or backpack; won't crumble apart in packaging.

Cons

These bars have less protein and more sugar than some competitor's protein bars.

LUNA Bar White Chocolate Macadamia Flavor
LUNA Bar
White Chocolate Macadamia Flavor
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Best-Tasting
Bottom Line

LUNA's White Chocolate Macadamia Nut flavor is so delicious it feels indulgent, all while packing a protein punch.

Pros

Delicious and satisfying, great for a snack, breakfast on-the-go, or even dessert. Packs 8 grams of protein and only 8 grams of sugar per bar. Tastes great with coffee. Dairy-free, gluten-free, and uses no artificial flavors.

Cons

The shelf life of these bars was not up to some consumer's standards.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best Luna bars

Luna bars have been providing tasty, low-calorie nutrition bars since the late 1990s. Luna bars are versatile in that they make an excellent snack or breakfast if you’re on the go, they store easily, the taste is appealing, and they’re readily available at most grocery stores.

Before you start adding these bars to your shopping cart, you’ll want to consider a few factors. What are your dietary needs? If you have food allergies, it’s important to keep that in mind. Further, if you’re on a paleo or keto diet, you’ll want to know if Luna bars can fit into your diet. Luna bars also come in several different flavors. You might be interested in trying many flavors or just one or two. No matter your preferences, a buying guide can help to inform your purchase.  

Woman eating protein bar
Luna bars contain four main ingredients that are geared toward women: calcium, vitamin D, iron, and folic acid. Women of childbearing age in particular need around 18 grams of iron daily. A Luna bar contains about 30% of women’s recommended iron intake. 

How to buy the best Luna bars

History of the Luna bar

Luna bars come from the same makers of Clif bars. Clif bars were founded in the mid-’80s by Gary Erickson. His inspiration came from a 175-mile bike ride. Unsatisfied with the nutrition bars he brought along with him, he conceived of a bar that would deliver the necessary energy while still tasting good. Using his background as a baker, Erickson and his team launched the Clif bar in 1992.

The Luna bar came along several years later, launched by Clif Bar & Company’s Co-CEO, Kit Crawford. According to her, women were asking for a specific kind of nutrition bar catered to them. Spurred by this and the female employees of ​​Clif Bar & Company’s Co-CEO, the Luna bar was created. Luna bars are inspired by femininity in every way: Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon and has since symbolized women for centuries. Both Luna and Clif bars are made from mostly or all organic ingredients and no high-fructose corn syrup. The main differences lie in the flavors available (Luna bars are much more decadent) and calorie content. 

Calorie content

Luna bars contain between 180 and 210 calories per bar. This is fewer than in a Clif bar, but more than in most granola bars. This is because Luna bars are denser, so they’ll keep you full for a longer time. For this reason, many people use Luna bars as a breakfast substitute. With an average of 25 grams of carbs and six grams of fat, Luna bars are considered low-fat and high-carb, so it’s not a great choice for those on a low-carb (or no-carb) diet.

Flavors

Luna bars are popular for their range of tasty flavors. 

Lemon Zest is a crowd favorite. This Luna bar is tangy and sweet, with one side covered in a creamy coating. The flavors blend nicely with the crispy consistency of the bar.

Another crowd favorite is Chocolate Peppermint Stick. This flavor blends unsweetened chocolate with rolled oats and bits of peppermint candy in a creamy, one-sided coating. The result is a minty sweetness that’s delicious all year round, Christmas season or not. This is also a low-glycemic bar, so it’s a solid choice for diabetics or those working on weight loss.

Blueberry Bliss is an indulgent flavor with a blueberry layer on one side and a creamy coating on the other. Many love the Blueberry Bliss bar for breakfast, either on its own or paired with some Greek yogurt. This is another low-glycemic bar.

If you think of peanut butter and chocolate as an iconic duo, then Nutz Over Chocolate is the bar for you. The bar is loaded with peanuts and coated with a rich layer of cocoa. The high protein content means they make a great post-workout snack.

Another fine choice for chocolate lovers is the Chocolate Cupcake Luna bar. This is probably as close to a candy bar as you’ll get. As the name suggests, this bar is cakey with pieces of organic chocolate embedded and a smooth layer of frosting. Whether or not the Chocolate Cupcake is a “healthy” bar may be up for debate, but it’s pretty tasty — and gluten-free.

Imagine an island getaway with the Chocolate Dipped Coconut flavor. A blend of rolled oats, cocoa, and toasted coconut, a lot of buyers eat the Chocolate Dipped Coconut bar as dessert. This is another gluten-free option. 

Most Luna bars are decadent, but the White Chocolate Macadamia flavor is decadent. Loaded with smooth white chocolate and macadamia nuts, this delicious bar is a great afternoon pick-me-up. It’s both gluten-free and low glycemic. 

Mash-Ups are newer to the Luna brand. These bars meld two different flavors. All of them use Lemon Zest as a base and meld with flavors such as blueberry, coconut, and raspberry.

Protein

Most Luna bars contain between eight and 10 grams of protein. The amount of protein an individual needs depends on their weight, height, age, and general activity level. While Luna bars may not have enough protein for high-intensity workouts for people with a lot of muscle mass, they’ll do the trick for other physical activities.

Fiber

On average, a Luna bar has three grams of fiber. It’s recommended that women eat between 21 and 25 grams of fiber in a day. With that measure, Luna bars aren’t necessarily considered high-fiber. They contain an average amount of fiber, so you can’t really depend on Luna bars for your fiber intake. However, you can pair them with high-fiber snacks like almonds or avocado on toasted whole-grain bread.

While some replace breakfast with a daily Luna bar, it isn’t necessarily recommended, since the bars have some sugar content. However, if it’s between eating a Luna bar and skipping a meal, it’s a better choice to go with a bar.

Staff
BestReviews

What features do Luna bars have?

Size

Most of the Luna bars you’ll find in stores are a typical energy bar size, but there are some miniature options available. Luna Minis are snack-size bars, each at only 90 calories. Minis are good for sharing or managing your caloric intake. Luna Minis are available in Chocolate Peppermint Stick and Lemon Zest.

Even though regular Luna bars aren’t keto-friendly, Luna does have a line of keto-friendly brownie bites. Luna Keto Brownie Bites are plant-based and loaded with plant-based protein and good fats. Bites are available in Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Walnut Fudge. 

Dietary restrictions

Luna bars can be suitable for a number of different diets. All Luna bars are free from animal products. Some of them are also gluten-free and low-glycemic. They’re a good option for vegans, people with lactose intolerance, and people with gluten intolerance. 

Staff Tip-Food-Best Luna Bars
Staff Tip
Luna bars taste great on their own, but paired with dried fruit, nuts, yogurt, roasted chickpeas, pretzels, and jerky, you’ve got a variety of perfect snacks for a long trip. 
Staff
BestReviews

How much do Luna bars cost?

Inexpensive 

Luna bars are delectably affordable. A single Luna bar is probably $1.99 to $3, depending on where you buy one. This isn’t bad if you just want to buy one, but it’s more economical to buy them in bulk. 

Mid-range

The $5 to $10 range gets you more bang for your buck. Luna bars at this price are sold in boxes of six. This applies to original Luna bars, Luna Mash-Ups and Luna Keto Brownie Bites. 

Expensive 

At $10 and above, you’ll find Luna Minis, along with original Luna bars and Luna Mash-Ups sold in quantities of 12 or more. If you already know you love original Luna bars, it’s worth buying a box of 15 to stock up. 

Luna bars have different ingredients depending on their flavor. Generally, most original Luna bars include brown rice, cane sugar, honey, whole grains, cocoa powder, and cocoa butter.

Staff
BestReviews

Tips

  • Keep them fresh. With their creamy coating, Luna bars are susceptible to melting. You can store them in a cool, dry place like a panty, or in the fridge.
  • They’re not for kids. Luna bars are created with adults in mind, not children. You’d be better off finding energy bars that are geared towards kids’ nutrition.
  • Eat everything in moderation. Though Luna bars are a relatively healthy snack, too much of anything isn’t good. Limit yourself to one Luna bar per day, or even less. 
Protein and green vegetables
Some may use Luna bars for weight loss, but it’s not recommended. Luna bars don’t contain enough nutrients and calories to fill you up. To lose weight, you’re better off eating a lean, high-protein meal.

FAQ

Q. Are Luna bars keto-friendly?

A. Because of their sugar, carb, and protein content, Luna bars are not a good fit for a ketogenic diet (save for the Keto Brownie Bites).  

Q. Are Luna bars for women only?

A. Luna bars were created with women in mind, as there were no nutrition bars targeted toward women at the time. However, men are more than welcome to eat Luna bars too, and many enjoy the variety of flavors that Clif bars don’t offer. 

Q. Do Luna bars expire?

A. Yes, although not for a very long time. Most nutrition bars have a shelf life of a few years. The expiration date is printed at the back of the bar. That being said, eating an expired Luna bar probably won’t make you sick — it’ll be stale but edible.