The Truth about Nutrition Bars

June 16, 2014      |      Posted on Posted in Total Well-Being
The Truth about Nutrition Bars

Nutrition bars can be great for an on-the-go snack or small meal. Many of them provide necessary nutrients for your body, but they can also provide empty calories from sugars and fats. There are so many nutrition bars out on the market, how do you choose the best one? Use these rules when choosing a nutrition or energy bar.

Be able to count and pronounce the ingredients- Don’t necessarily eliminate the bar if you don’t know an ingredient but try and do your research if you’re unfamiliar with something that is in the bar.

Look for natural sweeteners and avoid bars that contain high fructose corn syrup- HFCS and other processed sugars provide empty calories. Raisins, dates, apricots, and figs are good ingredients to look for in a bar, they provide natural sweetness and increase the fiber content!

Consider the bars fat content- Look out for saturated fats and pick bars that have heart-healthy fat from natural ingredients like peanuts, walnuts, coconut, and chia seeds.

Choose a bar high in protein, fiber, and grains- Bars high in these ingredients will help keep you satisfied longer and provide long lasting energy. Look for at least 3 grams of fiber in a 200 calorie bar!