Nutritious diet bars can occasionally be an acceptable option for busy people on the go, but you shouldn't replace good nutrition just for the sake of convenience, according to Medill Reports at Northwestern University. A nutritious bar should be balanced and should be part of a healthy diet, says Medill Reports. It isn't difficult to make your own nutritious diet bars, which include fruits, nuts, protein and whole grains, but none of the unhealthy sugar substitutes, artificial colors or preservatives often found in commercial bars.
No-Bake Granola Bar
Step 1
Place a .75 oz. envelope of chocolate drink mix in a mixing bowl. Substitute other flavors in place of chocolate, if desired.
Step 2
Stir in 3 tbsp. water. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
Step 3
Stir in 2 tbsp. chunky peanut butter and 1/4 cup barley nugget cereal. Add 2 tbsp. raisins, dried cranberries or other dried fruits, if desired.
Step 4
Form the mixtures into a bar approximately 2 by 5 inches in size. Wrap the bar in plastic wrap or waxed paper.
Healthy Granola Bars
Step 1
Spread 1 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats on a baking sheet. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Toast the oats, stirring occasionally, until the oats are lightly browned, about 15 to 18 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees after removing the oats.
Step 2
Beat 1 whole egg and 1 egg white in a mixing bowl. Stir in 1 cup light brown sugar, 1 tbsp. canola or sunflower oil, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp. salt.
Step 3
Add the toasted oats, 2/3 cup raisins or dried cranberries, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans and 1 tbsp. flour. Mix thoroughly.
Step 4
Line a baking pan with aluminum foil, and then coat the foil lightly with oil or non-stick cooking spray. Spread the mixture in the pan and bake until golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool, and then cut into rectangular bars with a lightly oiled knife.
Tips and Warnings
- You can omit dried fruits if you're counting calories.
Things You'll Need
- .75 oz. chocolate powdered drink mix
- Mixing bowl
- 3 tbsp. chunky peanut butter
- 1/4 cup barley nugget cereal
- 2 tbsp. raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
- Plastic wrap or waxed paper
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
- Baking sheet
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. canola oil or sunflower oil
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 2/3 cup raisins or dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 tbsp. flour
- Baking pan
- Aluminum foil
- Knife
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