
<PAGE>
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.8.3
 
                           SANTA BARBARA BANK & TRUST
                                PROMISSORY NOTE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
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          PRINCIPAL               LOAN DATE       MATURITY      LOAN NO     CALL     COLLATERAL     ACCOUNT     OFFICER     INITIALS
<S>                             <C>             <C>             <C>        <C>      <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>
        $9,000,000.00            03-23-1998      04-01-2000      16450       4A         910          14492        PWM
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 References in the shaded area are for Lender's use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any particular loan
 or item.
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                    <C> 
 BORROWER:  THE BALANCE BAR COMPANY                                    LENDER:  SANTA BARBARA BANK & TRUST
            1015 MARK AVENUE                                                    MAIN OFFICE
            CARPINTERIA, CA 93013-2912                                          C/O LOAN SERVICES
                                                                                P.O. BOX 1173
                                                                                SANTA BARBARA, CA 93102-1173
====================================================================================================================================

</TABLE>


PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:  $9,000,000.00  INITIAL RATE:  9.250%     DATE OF NOTE:  MARCH
23, 1998

PROMISE TO PAY.  THE BALANCE BAR COMPANY, ("BORROWER") PROMISES TO PAY TO SANTA
BARBARA BANK & TRUST ("LENDER"), OR ORDER, IN LAWFUL MONEY OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA, THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NINE MILLION & 00/100 DOLLARS
($9,000,000.00) OR SO MUCH AS MAY BE OUTSTANDING, TOGETHER WITH INTEREST ON THE
UNPAID OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF EACH ADVANCE.  INTEREST SHALL BE
CALCULATED FROM THE DATE, EACH ADVANCE UNTIL REPAYMENT OF EACH ADVANCE.

PAYMENT.  BORROWER WILL PAY THIS LOAN ON DEMAND, OR IF NO DEMAND IS MADE, IN ONE
PAYMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL PLUS ALL ACCRUED UNPAID INTEREST ON APRIL
1, 2000.  IN ADDITION, BORROWER WILL PAY REGULAR MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF ACCRUED
UNPAID INTEREST BEGINNING APRIL 1, 1998, AND ALL SUBSEQUENT INTEREST PAYMENTS
ARE DUE ON THE SAME DAY OF EACH MONTH AFTER THAT.  The annual interest rate for
this Note is computed on a 365/360 basis; that is, by applying the ratio of the
annual interest rate over a year of 360 days, multiplied by the outstanding
principal balance, multiplied by the actual number of days the principal balance
is outstanding.  Borrower will pay Lender at Lender's address shown above or at
such other place as Lender may designate in writing.  Unless otherwise agreed or
required by applicable law, payments will be applied first to accrued unpaid
interest, then to principal and any remaining amount to any unpaid collection
costs and late charges.

VARIABLE INTEREST RATE.  The interest rate on this Note is subject to change
from time to time based on changes in an independent index which is the Prime
rate as published in the Wall Street Journal. When a range of rates has been
published, the higher of the rates will be used (the "Index").  The Index is not
necessarily the lowest rate charged by Lender on its loans.  If the Index
becomes unavailable during the term of this loan, Lender may designate a
substitute index after notice to Borrower.  Lender will tell Borrower the
current Index rate upon Borrower's request.  Borrower understands that Lender
may make loans based on other rates as well.  The interest rate change will not
occur more often than each day.  THE INDEX CURRENTLY IS 8.500%.  THE INTEREST
RATE TO BE APPLIED TO THE UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF THIS NOTE WILL BE AT A
RATE OF 0.750 PERCENTAGE POINTS OVER THE INDEX, RESULTING IN AN INITIAL RATE OF
9.250%.  NOTICE:  Under no circumstances will the interest rate on this Note be
more than the maximum rate allowed by applicable law.

PREPAYMENT; MINIMUM INTEREST CHARGE. Borrower agrees that all loan fees and
other prepaid finance charges are earned fully as of the date of the loan and
will not be subject to refund upon early payment (whether voluntary or as a
result of default), except as otherwise required by law. In any event, even upon
full prepayment of this Note, Borrower understands that Lender is entitled to a
MINIMUM INTEREST CHARGE OF $100.00. Other than Borrower's obligation to pay any
minimum interest charge, Borrower may pay without penalty all or a portion of
the amount owed earlier than it is due. Early payments will not, unless agreed
to by Lender in writing, relieve Borrower of Borrower's obligation to continue
to make payments of accrued unpaid interest. Rather, they will reduce the
principal balance due.

LATE CHARGE.  If a payment is 15 DAYS OR MORE LATE, Borrower will be charged
5.000% OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED PAYMENT.

DEFAULT.  Borrower will be in default if any of the following happens:  (a)
Borrower fails to make any payment when due.  (b) Borrower breaks any promise
Borrower has made to Lender, or Borrower fails to comply with or to perform
when due any other term, obligation, covenant, or condition contained in this
Note or any agreement related to this Note, or in any other agreement or loan
Borrower has with Lender.  (c) Borrower defaults under any loan, extension of
credit, security agreement, purchase or sales agreement, or any other agreement,
in favor of any other creditor or person that may materially affect any of
Borrower's property or Borrower's ability to repay this Note or perform
Borrower's obligations under this Note or any of the Related Documents.  (d) Any
representation or statement made or furnished to Lender by Borrower or on
Borrower's behalf is false or misleading in any material respect either now or
at the time made or furnished.  (e) Borrower becomes insolvent, a receiver is
appointed for any part of Borrower's property, Borrower makes an assignment for
the benefit of creditors, or any proceeding is commenced either by Borrower or
against Borrower under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws.  (f) Any creditor
tries to take any of Borrower's property on or in which Lender has a lien or
security interest.  This includes a garnishment of any of Borrower's accounts
with Lender.  (g) Any guarantor dies or any of the other events described in
this default section occurs with respect to any guarantor of this Note.  (h) A
material adverse change occurs in Borrower's financial condition, or Lender
believes the prospect of payment or performance of the Indebtedness is impaired.
(i) Lender in good faith deems itself insecure.

If any default, other than a default in payment, is curable and if Borrower has
not been given a notice of a breach of the same provision of this Note within
the preceding twelve (12) months, it may be cured (and no event of default will
have occurred) if Borrower, after receiving written notice from Lender demanding
cure of such default:  (a) cures the default within fifteen (15) days; or (b) if
the cure requires more than fifteen (15) days, immediately initiates steps which
Lender deems in Lender's sole discretion to be sufficient to cure the default
and thereafter continues and completes all reasonable and necessary steps
sufficient to produce compliance as soon as reasonably practical.

<PAGE>

03-23-1998                       PROMISSORY NOTE                       PAGE 2
LOAN NO 16450                       (CONTINUED)

=============================================================================== 

LENDER'S RIGHTS.  Upon default, Lender may declare the entire unpaid principal
balance on this Note and all accrued unpaid interest immediately due, without
notice, and then Borrower will pay that amount.  Lender may hire or pay someone
else to help collect this Note if Borrower does not pay.  Borrower also will pay
Lender that amount.  This includes, subject to any limits under applicable law,
Lender's attorneys' fees and Lender's legal expenses whether or not there is a
lawsuit, including attorneys' fees and legal expenses for bankruptcy proceedings
(including efforts to modify or vacate any automatic stay or injunction),
appeals, and any anticipated post-judgment collection services.  Borrower also
will pay any court costs, in addition to all other sums provided by law.  THIS
NOTE HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO LENDER AND ACCEPTED BY LENDER IN THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA.  IF THERE IS A LAWSUIT, BORROWER AGREES UPON LENDER'S REQUEST TO
SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA.  THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

LINE OF CREDIT.  This Note evidences a revolving line of credit.  Advances under
this Note, as well as directions for payment from Borrower's accounts, may be
requested orally or in writing by Borrower or by an authorized person.  Lender
may, but need not, require that all oral requests be confirmed in writing.  The
following party or parties are authorized to request advances under the line of
credit until Lender receives from Borrower at Lender's address shown above
written notice of revocation of their authority:  JAMES A. WOLFE, THOMAS J.
FLAHIE, RICHARD LAMB AND KRISTINA B. ERIKSEN.  Borrower agrees to be liable for
all sums either:  (a) advanced in accordance with the instructions of an
authorized person or (b) credited to any of Borrower's accounts with Lender.
The unpaid principal balance owing on this Note at any time may be evidenced by
endorsements on this Note or by Lender's internal records, including daily
computer print-outs.  Lender will have no obligation to advance funds under this
Note if:  (a) Borrower or any guarantor is in default under the terms of this
Note or any agreement that Borrower or any guarantor has with Lender, including
any agreement made in connection with the signing of this Note; (b) Borrower or
any guarantor ceases doing business or is insolvent; (c) any guarantor seeks,
claims or otherwise attempts to limit, modify or revoke such guarantor's
guarantee of this Note or any other loan with Lender; (d) Borrower has applied
funds provided pursuant to this Note for purposes other than those authorized by
Lender; or (e) Lender in good faith deems itself insecure under this Note or any
other agreement between Lender and Borrower.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.  I represent and warrant to Lender that the verbal or
written financial information given is true and correct and that there has been
no adverse change in the financial information.  I also waive the provisions of
section 1801.21 of the California Vehicle Code relating to accessibility to
Department of Motor Vehicle information.

NAME CHANGE.  At this time the name of this business has been changed from the
Bio-Engineered Foods, Inc. to The Balance Bar Company.

GENERAL PROVISIONS.  This Note is payable on demand.  The inclusion of specific
default provisions or rights of Lender shall not preclude Lender's right to
declare payment of this Note on its demand.  Lender may delay or forgo enforcing
any of its rights or remedies under this Note without losing them.  Borrower and
any other person who signs, guarantees or endorses this Note, to the extent
allowed by law, waive any applicable statute of limitations, presentment, demand
for payment, protest and notice of dishonor.  Upon any change in the terms of
this Note, and unless otherwise expressly stated in writing, no party who signs
this Note, whether as maker, guarantor, accommodation maker or endorser, shall
be released from liability.  All such parties agree that Lender may renew or
extend (repeatedly and for any length of time) this loan, or release any party
or guarantor or collateral; or impair, fail to realize upon or perfect Lender's
security interest in the collateral; and take any other action deemed necessary
by Lender without the consent of or notice to anyone.  All such parties also
agree that Lender may modify this loan without the consent of or notice to
anyone other than the party with whom the modification is made.

PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS NOTE, BORROWER READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS NOTE, INCLUDING THE VARIABLE INTEREST RATE PROVISIONS.  BORROWER AGREES TO
THE TERMS OF THE NOTE AND ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COMPLETED COPY OF THE NOTE.

BORROWER:

THE BALANCE BAR COMPANY


BY:
   ---------------------------------------
   JAMES A. WOLFE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


BY:
   ---------------------------------------
   THOMAS J. FLAHIE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

===============================================================================
Variable Rate, Line of Credit.      LASER PRO, Reg. U.S. Pat. & T.M. Off., Ver.
                                    3.24(c) 1998 CFI ProServices, Inc. All
                                    rights reserved. (CA-D20 2BBC.LN C2.OVL)

