Company: Betty Lou’s is a local McMinnville company that Matt first discovered at the 2015 Zena Road Runs in Salem. They offered up samples post-race, and I not only appreciated the taste, but also the fact that I could support a Willamette Valley company. They offered up some samples of the Fruit Bars and Nut Butter Balls.
“Just great stuff …and plenty of it” is the motto of Betty Lou’s, a company in our own backyard. Based out of McMinnville, this company started with one mom trying to create healthier options for her boys, 32 years ago. It started with limiting refined sugar, using honey and brown rice syrup instead and has evolved into a company with all sorts of products from shakes to nut butter balls.
Nut Butter Balls:
I tried the Protein Plus Coconut Macadamia Nut Butter ball after bonking on an evening run. They are gluten-free, 150 calories and have 10 grams of protein and 8 grams of sugar and absolutely delicious. They are pretty rich with the macadamia nuts and coconut, so I probably couldn’t eat these all the time, but are perfect to keep in my car or gym bag, just in case. These could help me prevent bonking or would be a great reward for a run. The nut butter balls come in an assortment of flavors, including:
- Almond Butter,
- Spirulina Ginseng
- Cashew Pecan,
- Cashew Butter
- Peanut Butter
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
- Cocount Macadamia Nut
Matt also tried out a few flavors and said that the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip was on point – a solid combination of taste and goodness. None of the flavors were anything less than good.
A 12-pack runs about $16 online.
Fruit Bars:
Looking for a treat after a hard run? Try their fruit bars, which are non-GMO and gluten-free and taste just like a piece of pie. These are definitely a treat but, as with the Betty Lou motto, it contains great stuff. I tried the Blueberry and it was seriously just like a piece of pie, without the mess. It’s a perfect size to satisfy a sweet tooth, but doesn’t leave you feeling too guilty if it’s a post-run treat. Flavors include:
- Apple Cinnamon
- Strawberry
- Cherry
- Blueberry
- Apricot
Cherry is next on my list to find, since I’ve never had a piece of cherry pie I didn’t like. You can purchase Betty Lou products directly from their website, or check for store locations. They are currently found at NIKE, Columbia, Safeway and Thriftway stores. I’ll be on the lookout for Fruit Bars as my next long run reward.
A 12-pack runs about $16 online.
Betty Lou’s does more than just snack bars, as they also have peanut butter and protein shakes in their arsenal. And in a combination between the two, they have powdered peanut butter, a great option for adding to your own shakes!
