Shop Smart: Navigating the Food Label on Granola Bars

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Granola bars are quick and convenient snacks when you’re on the go, but many of these bars can be loaded with added sugar and are low in nutritional value. It is important to know what to look for when you’re grocery shopping to find the best option to meet your health goals. The food label is going to be your friend here! Listed below are a few key things to look for when buying granola bars. 

  1. Added sugar: Added sugars are the sugars that have been added during the processing of food and have been linked to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. We want to limit these as much as possible, so aim for bars with less than 10 grams of added sugar per serving!


  1. Protein: Protein helps us feel full and can curb those cravings between meals. It also slows digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, which prevent spikes in blood sugar. Aim for bars with at least 5 grams of protein per serving!


  1. Fiber: Fiber also helps us feel full, like protein, and is good for our digestive health. Fiber can be found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Aim for bars with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving!


To save you some time from having to look at every food label on your next shopping trip, here are a few options to try:


     .                  

                                

             LARABAR     RXBAR       IQ BAR

4g added sugar, 5g protein, 4g fiber         0g added sugar, 12g protein, 5g fiber                0g added sugar, 12g protein, 9g fiber
K.F.

Comments

  1. Kayla BrubakerSeptember 23, 2024 at 4:07 PM

    This is such a great post! There are so many different types and brands of granola bars so I honestly feel like this is a tricky topic. Especially with marketing and advertising - I can see how there can be confusion. I really like how you gave examples of nutritious, balanced granola bars. I'm gonna have to try these sometime!

    ReplyDelete

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