With Z-Carb Low-Carb Chocolate Bars Gone, ChocoPerfection Stepped In To Fill The Void

What ever happened to the Z-Carb low-carb chocolate bars?

With a noticeable increase in the sales of my debut book Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat To Sensationally Skinny In One Year in 2007, I'm beginning to receive a lot of e-mails from some people who want to know where they can find certain products I wrote about in my book.

One of the most common questions I get is about a chocolate bar product called Z-Carb. When I was losing my weight in 2004, a co-worker of mine who was livin' la vida low-carb introduced me to these delicious sugar-free low-carb bars made with erythritol and Splenda. What a find this was and I was immediately hooked!

With only negligible carb counts (less than a half gram of carbohydrate per serving), these chocolate bars which came in flavors like peanut butter, crisps, and almonds were a lifesaver for my sweet tooth while losing weight. I sometimes ate as much as a POUND of this stuff a day! Yep, a POUND! Mmmmm.

I first mentioned how chocolate can be a part of your low-carb lifestyle two years ago at my blog. With all the health benefits of eating chocolate--especially dark chocolate (see Kate Welch's outstanding blog post on this topic this week)--I enjoyed making Z-Carb bars a key part of improving my health.

Unfortunately, as has happened many times over the past few years, some of my favorite low-carb foods have been discontinued and gone out of business. That's economics for you, like it or not. But it really stinks when this happens because you get used to having certain products in your low-carb lifestyle to help you along.

Although I spent hundreds of dollars on Z-Carb bars which were readily available in Wal-Mart, the corner convenience store, the drug store chains...EVERYWHERE!...they couldn't make enough money to keep manufacturing them. They had to bring Z-Carb bars to an end in the Fall of 2005 right about the same time my book was being published. Bummer.

So what do you do?

Well, I could have thrown a hissy fit and gone around grumbling about how unfair life is now that Z-Carb bars are gone. Instead, I went out and found something to take its place because I had to have my dark chocolate. I wanted to find an alternative that tasted as good or better than the Z-Carb bars, made with erythritol and NO maltitol, and low enough in carbs to eat on a regular basis.

Thanks to low-carb retailers Michael and Marilyn Kirtley from Low-Carb Central in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (I was there for a book signing in January 2006), they introduced me to what would become my new favorite low-carb chocolate bar that quite literally blew me away by how incredible they were.


After tasting ChocoPerfection bars, I said, "Z-Carb who?"

Fellow blogger "Melting Mama" Beth Badore agrees with me that ChocoPerfection low-carb chocolate bars are the bomb, baby! Plus, they're high in fiber and contain absolutely ZERO maltitol. Yeah! No nuclear bombs in my tummy!

That's so rare these days, so we need to support those companies who get it. Read my interview with company founder and president Mary Jo Kringas, a low-carb weight loss success story who lost lots of weight eating at least two ChocoPerfection bars a day (and still does!). Amazing!

Nowadays, I couldn't go very long at all without having my ChocoPerfection fix. Melted, broken and sprinkled, or straight out of the package, this chocolate will hit the spot. Although Z-Carb bars are no longer available and completely gone from store shelves now, ChocoPerfection stepped in to fill the void.

Now, ChocoPerfection better not go anywhere! :D

If you'd like to see products like ChocoPerfection bars in stores like Wal-Mart, grocery stores, drug stores, and convenience stores, then recommend it to your local store and write their corporate office an e-mail. If they hear enough people requesting a product, then they may bring it in.

THANKS to everyone who e-mailed me about Z-Carb bars. Hopefully this answers your questions about why you can't find them anymore despite my glowing comments about them in my book. Welcome to one of the challenges of livin' la vida low-carb.

GoLower's Carbcast #3 Features Jimmy Moore

Have you checked out the brand new podcast show from the UK-based low-carb products company called GoLower?

As you know from my reviews of the GoLower nut bars and the new GoLower chocolate creme bars, I'm a fan of GoLower and could not be more pleased to know they are helping low-carbers in Europe and America enjoy product that are low-sugar and delicious.

Ever since I interviewed GoLower Founder and CEO Hannah Sutter last year, I knew this was a special woman concerned about the health and weight of people who struggle with obesity. If more food companies had this kind of leadership and business model for actually serving the overweight public, then perhaps we could move forward in coming up with a solution to the problem.

The immense admiration I have for GoLower is mutual as they have been very supportive of my efforts here at my blog. That's why they invited me to share a few minutes about my low-carb weight loss experience in their Carbcast Episode #3. It's only a few minutes long and you might learn a thing or two more about Jimmy Moore that you didn't before. :)

Be sure to leave a comment and thank GoLower for featuring me on their Carbcast.

Get Your FREE Atkins Advantage Bar Today

The new Atkins Advantage Caramel bars are my personal fave

Have you tried an Atkins Advantage bar lately from Atkins Nutritionals? If not, then you may be oblivious to the fact that the formulation has changed and it's for the BETTER. Much better than they used to be if you ask me. These healthy low-carb protein bars are now a delicious and nutritious snack for those times when you need some low-carb nourishment during your hectic and busy lifestyle.

In fact, just last Sunday when I was on the set of the upcoming George Clooney movie "Leatherheads" as an extra, guess what I brought along with me to tide me over until our break for lunch? Yep, it was a couple of Atkins Advantage bars because they are so convenient and ready-to-eat anytime you feel the hunger pangs calling your name.

Whether it is the original Atkins Advantage bars or the new and oh-so-delicious Atkins Advantage Caramel bars, you can rest assured these bars are the lowest in sugar (only 1g per bar compared with 18g in a Power Bar), highest in protein (a staggering 17g per bar compared with only 8g in the heavily-marketed Slim-Fast bars), and contain more fiber than any other protein bar on the market today (6g per bar compared with nearly ZERO found in the Zone and Balance bars).

As if I haven't given you reason enough already, how about a sweet incentive to try an Atkins Advantage bar for yourself? Would you like to try a FREE BAR?! Yep, you heard me right. You can receive an Atkins Advantage bar at no cost to you compliments of our friends at Atkins Nutritionals. COOL DEAL, huh?!

What's the catch? There isn't one--you REALLY DO get a FREE BAR!

Atkins Nutritionals is so convinced that consumers living a healthy lifestyle will prefer the great taste and superior nutrition of their Atkins Advantage bars compared to any of the other major protein bars on the market today that they want to give you one so you can compare them side-by-side.

Take the Nutrition Challenge and simply share what you currently use as your regular protein bar, a valid e-mail address, and your zip code. That's it!

Once you provide this very minimal information, you will then be taken to a page to print out one of two options to redeem your FREE Atkins Advantage bar--an IMMEDIATE printable coupon that will allow you to Buy One Bar Get One Free OR a downloadable form that you can mail to Atkins Nutritionals for a coupon redeemable for your complimentary bar.

Don't delay on this unique opportunity to get a FREE Atkins Advantage bar because the offer expires on March 31, 2007 and is only limited to the first 10,000 requests. Be sure to write on your redemption form for your FREE bar that you heard about this offer from the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog. :)

In case you missed my exclusive interview with Atkins Nutritionals VP of Nutrition Information and Education Colette Heimowitz last Fall, be sure to read it to see how far Atkins Nutritionals has come enduring through the hardship of a very trying public bankruptcy in 2005 to once again rise to the top of their industry stronger than ever.

3-12-07 UPDATE: After several of you said you were having trouble accessing the FREE Atkins bar coupon, I decided to contact Atkins Nutritionals myself to assist. They said if you have any problems whatsoever in the process, then simply call their toll-free customer service line at 800-6ATKINS and they will gladly mail you a coupon for a free bar. Hopefully this resolves any of the issues you have been dealing with and you get still get the deal as promised. Hurry, though, because it is still limited to the first 10,000 requests and expires on March 31, 2007. THANKS!

Jigsaw Bars Complete The Puzzle To Your Healthy Low-Carb Lifestyle

Jigsaw energy bars are worth a second look from low-carbers

There's a relatively new company out there making products for people desiring to live a better, healthier life. They are Jigsaw Health and you may have heard their radio ads for Jigsaw Magnesium on "The Neal Boortz Show" or "The Mike Gallagher Show." I even highlighted company founder Pat Sullivan in this recent blog post.

Of all the products that Jigsaw Health manufactures, one stood out from the rest as something that people who are livin' la vida low-carb could fit into their healthy low-carb lifestyle--Jigsaw Bars. These brownie-like bars are absolutely loaded with wholesome and nutritious ingredients, including a whopping 12g protein, omega-3 fatty acids, cocoa powder (which we learned today has been found in this new study to be good for brain health), vitamin C, pantothenic acid, vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid, biotin, and so much more!

These Jigsaw Bars SHOULD taste good since they are the result of 23 different test phases. Yep, they wanted to create the best possible energy bar for people to try and they think they have the "perfect" one now. People with celiac disease will appreciate that these bars are gluten-free and low-carbers will be pleased to know there is absolutely ZERO sugar in these bars.

However, there are 8g net carbs in these bars, so they should be consumed by those in the later phases of livin' la vida low-carb. Of course, if you want to get creative and cut the Jigsaw Bar in half, even those who are losing weight in the early stages of their low-carb journey can have a healthy and tasty treat with only 4g net carbs and 6g protein. EXCELLENT!

Jigsaw Bars come in two distinct flavors--Chocolate and Almond Coconut. Chocolate is one of my favorite flavors, but coconut doesn't thrill me very much. Therefore, my expectations for each were predicated on this before I even had a chance to eat them. When the time came to bite into a Jigsaw Bar for the very first time, I have to be honest: I HATED IT!

Yep, my intial experience eating one of the Chocolate Jigsaw Bars was a bit disappointing. It wasn't the taste so much as it was the texture--a bit gritty like there was sand mixed in with it. After reading the ingredients label, I realized what that was. They used whey protein crisps that were kinda like Rice Krispies in the center of the bar. Well, that explains the crunchiness.

The next time I tried the Jigsaw Bar, I will admit it was MUCH better than the first time because I didn't notice as much grit this time. I especially liked the fact that it was a high-protein bar that actually tasted somewhat like real food for a change. If you've ever bitten into a typical protein bar that's loaded with sugar, then you know what I'm talking about. Jigsaw Bars are different and thankfully so.

On a whim, I decided to play around with the Chocolate Jigsaw Bar by microwaving it for about 20 seconds. WOW, that was REALLY good! Then I spread a little bit of Sugar-Free Smucker's Raspberry Jam and a dollop of whipped cream on top for a dessert one night. Holy cow, this tastes JUST like a brownie now and the texture is WAY better! These bars are so versatile that they can be consumed hot or right out of the package (although hot is better to me!).

How about that Coconut flavor? Well, it should come as no surprise that it just wasn't my cup of tea. But I'm sure coconut lovers will appreciate it a lot more than I did. I just don't like the texture of coconut...never have, never will!

I do want to make you aware of one thing that the Jigsaw people are actually working on right now. These Jigsaw Bars have the sugar alcohol maltitol in them. GASP! But, but, but...I know, let me stop you before you even ask. Yes, this is the ingredient that I encourage people on low-carb to avoid if at all possible because of the stomach-busting properties it can cause in higher quantities.

But you will be pleased to know that maltitol is not the top ingredient which means it is not as heavily infused in these bars as some of the other products you have tried. In fact, Jigsaw supplements the maltitol with another more pleasant sugar alcohol called Xylitol for a sweet blend of sugar alternatives that substitute well for sugar. After eating one of these bars, I was bracing to have the typical gas and stomach cramps that come from maltitol consumption. It didn't happen and I was happy about that!

Wanna try these Jigsaw Bars for yourself? They have a special BUY ONE GET ONE FREE offer right now and a 100% full-refund satisfaction guarantee. In other words, there's NO risk to try these bars for yourself and see if you agree they are a great-tasting way to supplement your diet with healthy vitamins and minerals as well as hunger-busting protein. Let me know what you think!