What to look for when buying granola bars
I usually have a granola bar in my purse because they are easy to grab and go, plus you never know when you are going to need a little snack. (Nobody has time to be hangry!) There are so many delicious granola bars out there, which one is your favorite? When at the grocery store there are almost too many options. There are a few things look for when buying granola bars, but I’m not going to lie; I’m usually a sucker for whichever one looks like it has the best flavor. Especially if it contains chocolate and peanut butter, I’m in. However, to get a granola bar that is a bit more nutritious here are a few things to look for:
1. Make sure there is no high-fructose corn syrup
In fact, I try to make sure this isn’t in any food product that I purchase. Along with this syrup, make sure there aren’t any other hydrogenated oils or artificial flavors. These are nutrient-poor ingredients to stray away from.
2. Fiber is a plus (or must)
I always like to make sure there is a little bit of fiber in the bars that I buy! It’s such an important part of our diet and great for digestion.
3. Low sugar
I didn't usually look at this but I guess I should start. When talking with my little sis and former roomie (both are very knowledgeable in the healthy field) about this blog post they suggested that a lot of granola bars are high in sugar, most upward of fifteen grams. That’s a lot for a little bar. If you are eating bars often, try to find some that have less sugar!
4. Fat doesn’t necessarily matter
If you're a person that looks at how much fat is in your bars, I have good news for you! You can stop worrying about that. A lot of times the fat in granola bars comes from some sort of nut, which is the good kind of fat. Enjoy it, it's essential.
Here are a few of my favorite bars and what I like about them:
These are recently my FAV! I think my mom got me hooked on these. They are so tasty! My favorites are the almond or chocolate almond favors, which is different because usually I wouldn’t choose an almond flavor. There are many different flavors to choose from and there are gluten-free options as well. These bars are organic, vegan and non-GMO. They have such unique flavors, even the original is scrumptious!
I have yet to try the “now easier to bite” version of these but I've always LOVED how crunchy these are… so we will have to see what has changed. These bars have the perfect sweetness and you get two granola bars in one package, score! It’s still less than 15 grams of sugar when eating the two granola bars and sixteen grams of whole grain per serving.
Like I said when I see the flavors, I go for it! S’mores is always the right choice, right?! Luckily for me the s’mores Luna Bar now has 25% less sugar than it used too. Thanks to the memo printed right on the bar. These bars are also non-GMO and gluten-free; PLUS, less than ten grams of sugar for a "s'more."
You can usually find these in the “bar isle,” that’s what I call it because it’s literally an isle of too many bars and you never know which one to pick. I'll tell you how to make it easy, just go for the cookie. Plus, these cookies are quite nutritious so I consider them just as much a go-to snack as a granola bar. AND, they really satisfy my never-ending sweet tooth! Lenny & Larry’s makes it clear that they do not use sugar alcohols, like many other products do; they are non-GMO and are also packed with protien. (There is a list on the Lenny & Larry's website of all of the places these are sold.)
All of these are worth a try, if you haven't had them yet. These are all great, nutritious options to throw in your bag, purse, desk, etc. to grab when you need a quick, little snack. And next time you're bar shopping, don't forget to look for those ingredients I suggested.
Stay healthy and eat something delicious, xxo.
