Snack bars, also referred to as granola bars and cereal bars, are plentiful on supermarket shelves.They are marketed towards consumers for their convenience, taste, and nutritional properties.Snack bars are considered healthier than candy bars, but is this actually true? Are snack bars healthy?
Nutritional Benefits
Snack bars can be a quick and easy grab-and-go item that make great snacks. Snacking is very important and offers nutritional benefits in regards to weight management, maintenance, and keeping you satisfied throughout the day. Snacks bars made with whole grains and whole oats provide a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Fiber is important for digestive health, can lower cholesterol, and is a great weight management tool that adds bulk so you feel fuller longer. Dried fruits and nuts increases the nutritional value of snack bars but can also add calories and fat.
Read Labels
Not all cereal bars are created equal. While cereal bars can be healthy others can be the equivalent of candy bars. It is important to read the nutritional facts on boxes of cereal bars. The most important components to look for on the nutrition label are low amounts of fat, sugar, and 3 g or more of fiber. Read the ingredient list carefully to determine the nutrition value of snack bars. Ingredients are listed in descending order from the highest to the lowest amount. Whole grains and whole oats should be the first ingredients and sugar, oils, and fats should be closest to the bottom on the ingredient list. Watch out for hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, or trans fats; palm oils, which are high in saturated fat; high fructose corn syrup; inulin, a non-digestible carbohydrate that adds fiber but can also cause gas and stomach upset; and enriched, bleached, wheat, and unbleached flours. The key word is whole for grains, oats and flours to have all the health benefits associated.
How to Choose
Boxes and boxes of granola bars line the shelves and with so much variety, it is important to read the nutrition label to determine your nutritional needs. If you are on the go and you are eating a bar to replace a meal, try to find one that has a good mix of protein, fiber and healthy fats. If you are looking for a bar to help sustain energy, look for a bar that provides complex carbohydrates and protein. For weight management, look for a bar that is low in calories and high in fiber.
Easy Snack Bar Ingredients
This is granola bar recipe is easy to prepare. It makes 24 bars. You will need 2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup craisins, 2 tsp.vanilla extract, 3/4 tsp.salt, 1/2 cup honey, 1 beaten egg, 1/2 cup apple sauce, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips.
Easy Snack Bar Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 9X13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, craisins, chocolate chips and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, apple sauce and vanilla. Mix it well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake it for 20 to 25 minutes in the oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool the cake for 5 minutes, then cut it into bars while it is still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them, or they will be too hard to cut. Each bar contains 105 calories, 1.5 g fat, 79 mg sodium, 28 g carboydrates, 3 g fiber, 15 g sugar and 1.8 g protein. This recipe has been adapted from one on Allrecipes.com.
References
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ00594_D
- http://www.aroundtheplate.com/2010/11/this-bar-or-that-bar-how-to-choose.html
- www.allrecipes.com
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