#poweredbybits ENERGYbits Review and Giveaway

I recall the first time I tried ENERGYbits… it was last October and I chewed 30 of the crunchy little bits  before heading out for a 5 km run.  I remember them getting caught up in my teeth and tasting quite green… like wheatgrass, or chlorophyll, perhaps.  But not unpleasant. If you like you can read about it here.

At that time, the folks at ENERGYbits were sending 30-bit sample packs to people who were interested in trying them out.  And as much as they intrigued me back then, I knew I would need to try them a few more times before making the commitment to purchasing a 1000-bit bag. 

So I have been entering giveaways.  And I have been lucky enough to win a couple of 75-bit tins in a couple of them.  When I won the second one, they contacted me to see if I would like an additional sample to write a review. 

And they offered to do a giveaway if I liked them well enough to want to share some with my readers.

Well, I read through all of the information that came in the envelope along with the tins of bits.  I have advertising and marketing in my background and I was immediately impressed with the packaging of the dark green bits in handy little tins that fit nicely into purse or pocket, and the very attractive written material… it not only has important and relevant information, but is presented in a very visually appealing manner.  It is easy to read and interesting. 

So far so good.

I also spent a lot of time online with a few different search engines to find out if there is any new information out there that might reveaal anything negative about spirulina algae.  These ENERGYbits are formed from spirulina algae…. there is no other ingredient in them.  I couldn’t find a negative word about it.  In fact, quite the opposite.

So let me share a bit about my own experiences taking the ENERGYbits.

I have been experimenting with pre-workout fuelling over the past several weeks since I started strength training 3 mornings each week.  So, I decided to test the ENERGYbits to see if they would give  me enough energy to get through my workouts on an empty stomach.

I normally eat about 50 – 100 calories before I workout or go for a short run or do cardio… usually a  mix of protein and carbs such as a small smoothie or part of a protein bar, some Ripped Cream in my coffee, or lately some Greek yogurt and a bite of banana.  Not much, but something with protein and carbs to power me through the workout and then some stretching, and then keep me going till I can make some breakfast, or cut up an orange to eat quickly if I feel shaky and need something immediately.

The material that come with the ENERGYbits says that a serving of 30 bits is 30 calories, and most of that is protein.  They should give enough energy to fuel a workout.  I was quite sceptical but decided to go ahead and give them a try.

I got some advice from Kristen who writes The Running Mom about how to take them. She suggested I swallow them in batches of 10 with a few sips of water.  All righty then… no more chewing green little bits for me.

The first time I tried them I drank a couple of cups of coffee after getting out of bed,  and then I swallowed 30 bits about 5 minutes before starting my strength workout.  I kept waiting for the bonk but it never happened.  I felt good after 20 minutes, and I still felt good after my 30- minute strength session was over. And the best part was that I still felt good all the while I made breakfast, too.

Then a couple of mornings later, The Captain agreed to go out for a short run with me. Between his lingering cold symptoms, and all of the golfing we have been doing lately, there hasn’t been a lot of incentive to run and I am really missing it.  So we decided to keep it short and only do 3 km. I took this opportunity to try out the ENERGYbits again.

I only took 20 bits this time around, and I swallowed them with some water about 15 minutes before heading out.  I wanted to give myself enough time to get rid of that water before we went out into the cool wind!  You know… and I carried an energy gel in my pocket for insurance.  But I felt great the whole time… and again still felt good through the stretching and breakfast prep.   I think that energy gel is still in my jacket pocket.

The next morning I relied on 20 ENERGYbits to fuel my 31-minute strength routine.  I pumped out 44 push ups.  Coincidence?  Well, I have been working on them but they really felt a lot easier.

Several days later, I swallowed 15 ENERGYbits 10 minutes before my half hour strength workout and an hour later when I sat down to breakfast, I was not famished, not feeling faint over even overly hungry.  Amazing.  By now I was beginning to think there is really something to these little green bits of spirulina algae.

But I had one more test to put them through before I could be convinced. 

Last Sunday I attended a training session for a new program that Weight Watchers will be introducing soon.  When we have staff meetings at Weight Watchers, we are considered members first, and we get on the scale to be weighed at the beginning of the session, just like our members do before a meeting.

I never ever weigh myself after I have eaten anything… so I decided I would just swallow a few ENERGYbits instead of eating breakfast, and see if they would get me through the morning hours while I prepared to go to the session, travel there, and eventually get on the scale to be weighed some time between 11:30 a.m. and noon.  I knew there would be a nice luncheon waiting for me after I weighed in, and before the business part of the meeting actually began.

I got out of bed at 7:30 a.m. and drank some coffee while I checked my email then had a shower and started my day.  I swallowed 10 ENERGYbits with some water just before 9 a.m.  Then about 10:45 a.m. I had 5 more bits with a full glass of water.  And then I drank another cup of coffee.  I was feeling pretty good, but certainly would have been happy to eat at that point.  I wasn’t really hungry but did feel empty. 

I arrived at the meeting just after 11:30 and was in line to be weighed, happily chattering away with some of my co-workers a short time later.  It was probably close to noon by the time I actually got on the scale.  I recall walking to the buffet table very happy that I was about to eat, not feeling hungry actually, but a wee bit light headed, definitely.  And it was a lovely lunch, I might add.  I thoroughly enjoyed some salmon,  roasted pork loin and some braised cabbage… and a cup of the most delicious tea!

So the ENERGYbits had done their job and powered me through the morning hours. 


According to the literature:

Made from 100% organicallly grown spirulina algae and loaded with 40 nutrients, ENERGYbits® algae tabs have the highest concentration of protein in the world (64%) all for just one calorie per tab. Endorsed by the United Nations as the most nutritious food on earth, spirulina algae has been a favorite of Olympic gold medalists for decades and is a super food in every sense of the word, delivering instant and enduring energy to your brain and body.

Best used for:

• Increasing Energy 
• Increasing Endurance
• Increasing Mental Vitality
• High Protein Snack
• Curbing Hunger 
• Meal Replacement
• Balancing Blood Sugar
• Lowering Blood Pressure
• Reducing Fatigue

And, yes, finally, I am a believer.  ENERGYbits. These little bits of spirulina algae are aptly named.  And what I really like about them, is that they are 100% spirulina algae. There are NO fillers. What you see is what you get. Spirulina algae in little bits, easily swallowed or even chewed.

So, if you would like to try some too, enter my giveaway!  If you are the lucky winner you will receive one tin of 75 ENERGYbits, directly from the company.  You must have a Canadian or U.S. address for mailing purposes to enter this contest..

The giveaway will remain open for entries until Friday, December 6th at 11:59 p.m. PST.  I will contact the winner by email.

Use the Rafflecopter form below for all of your entries.  And Good Luck to you!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you tried ENERGYbits?  What is your experience with them?