Can you remember a time before granola bars? Neither can we. But the humble and simple bar made of oats and other ingredients like dried fruit and nuts has evolved into something pretty spectacular. You can make your own version or choose one of the hundreds of kinds that can be found on store shelves today. But are these handheld snack bars actually healthy? Let’s take a closer look.
Pictured Recipe:Coconut-Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
What are granola bars?
Granola is a type of breakfast cereal that gained popularity beginning in the 1960s. Its growth in the convenience food sector may have been thanks largely to its perceived nutritional properties. Health fanatics loved its sweet crunch and nourishing ingredient list, but found it was hard to pack for outdoor adventures like hiking and camping. People started making their own granola bars, and General Mills found a way to turn their Nature Valley granola into the first commercially packaged portable granola bar. And it worked. In fact, it worked so well that the granola bar industry is still thriving. Food companies continue to launch new bars and revamp their formulas to create delicious bars they think consumers will love.
Fred Hardy
Granola bar nutrition
Here is the nutrition breakdown for one standard (1-ounce)granola bar:
What’s in a granola bar?
How to choose a healthy granola bar
Sugar
Take a look at the nutrition information. Specifically, theadded sugars. “Many granola bars on the market contain too many added sugars,” says author Malina Malkani, M.S., RDN, CDN. That’s why she recommends finding bars that are sweetened naturally with fruit. This not only reduces the added sugar, she says, but if you’re selecting a bar for your child, it can help them learn to appreciate other flavors too. It can also help increase the fiber content in the bar. Remember, this is a snack, not a dessert, so look for a bar with limited added sugars.
Fiber
Protein
While most Americans don’t have trouble meeting theirdaily protein needs, making sure your granola bar has a few grams can help ensure your snack is more satisfying. Look for bars with whole-foodsources of proteinsuch as nuts, nut butter, seeds or seed butter.
Whole Grains
The primary ingredient in most granola bars is oats. Oats are awhole grain, which means they haven’t been processed to remove any nutritive parts. This maximizes the nutrition of your bar and helps up the fiber and protein content. So be sure to check for the word “whole” in front of any grain on the ingredient list to ensure you’re getting the best nutrition possible.
The #1 Food You Should Eat for Breakfast
Ingredient List
How to enjoy granola bars
Want to try making your own? Try ourCranberry-Almond Granola Barsor our versatileChewy Granola Barsmade with actual granola! And homemade isn’t your jam, use the recommendations above to find a bar that fits your needs.
The bottom line
Granola bars can be a healthy food, but you have to dig deeper than surface level to uncover one that is the best fit for you. Look at the nutrition information to determine if your bar keeps added sugars in check and contains fiber and protein. Check the ingredient list to ensure it includes whole grains and whole-food protein sources like nuts or seeds. Finally, as Saint-Laurent Beaucejour recommends, make sure it’s something you enjoy!
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