What's so bad about granola bars?

basschick
basschick Posts: 3,502 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I don't understand all of the hatin' on granola bars, protein bars, Luna bars, Larabars, etc. Some people sneer "They're just candy bars." Last time I checked, most candy bars don't contain oats or have the same amounts of protein and fiber. Sure, they contain sugar, and I would never consider them "health food" but they're not pure junk and are certainly better than regular candy bars. I think, in moderation, they can be a part of a healthy diet. Thoughts?
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Replies

  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    I don't understand all of the hatin' on granola bars, protein bars, Luna bars, Larabars, etc. Some people sneer "They're just candy bars." Last time I checked, most candy bars don't contain oats or have the same amounts of protein and fiber. Sure, they contain sugar, and I would never consider them "health food" but they're not pure junk and are certainly better than regular candy bars. I think, in moderation, they can be a part of a healthy diet. Thoughts?

    I think people like to make rather blanket statements about individual food items without considering the individual and his or her diet as a whole.

    Statements that disregard context are usually silly.

    The contribution that a larabar makes to your diet is a small part of a very big piece. The big piece is what ultimately matters.
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    the nature valley ones have like 30 carbs!

    i'd rather eat homemade oatmeal and fruit cookies for 30 carbs.
  • amanda_ataraxia
    amanda_ataraxia Posts: 400 Member
    Haters gonna hate.

    I eat Larabars all the time. There are absolutely no added sugars. I love them!
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    It's all relative. What is healthier, a Snickers bar or a granola bar? A granola bar.

    What is healthier, a granola bar or a bowl of oatmeal? The oatmeal.

    SOME prepackaged granola bars are loaded with sugar and are only marginally better for you than candy bars. Others are much healthier than candy bars, all depending on the brand. Regardless, they aren't health food but think of them as a sweet treat you can fit into your calorie goals when a sugar craving strikes.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I eat them faithfully daily.... My favorite ones are the Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Peanut bars, and the Peanut Butter
    Dark Chocolate Flavored Protein Bar. but I have the Fiber one brownie squares, Quaker makes a chewy chocolate chip dip bar, and I just started eating the KIND bars.... Lost a few pounds in the process so I'm not hating on them... LOL Best of Luck
  • iLoveMyPitbull1225
    iLoveMyPitbull1225 Posts: 1,690 Member
    i love them!! yay
  • cheshirechic
    cheshirechic Posts: 489 Member
    Not all are created equal! I love larabars, but rarely touch anything else. I try to only eat granola bars whose ingredients are already part of my diet, like no-sugar-added dried fruit. Brown rice syrup (at best)? No thanks. Sweetened with dates? Yes please! <3
  • amanda_ataraxia
    amanda_ataraxia Posts: 400 Member
    Not all are created equal! I love larabars, but rarely touch anything else. I try to only eat granola bars whose ingredients are already part of my diet, like no-sugar-added dried fruit. Brown rice syrup (at best)? No thanks. Sweetened with dates? Yes please! <3
    I agree with this. I eat only whole foods and most others do not fit that definition.
  • Moniqua1
    Moniqua1 Posts: 195 Member
    I eat granola in my yogurt and.also eat a granola trail mix bar everyday. It sustains my appetite. I think they're just peachy. Hasn't stopped my progress. I also on occasion, will have a dark chocolate cherry protein bar. Soooo tasty!
  • verptwerp
    verptwerp Posts: 3,659 Member
    mhmumblehmh .... sorry ...... talking with my mouth full of a Kashi honey almond flax bar (140 calories) at work .... it's NOT clean eating, but also NOT a candy bar ..... a change of pace from veggies & hummus :drinker:
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Could be a reaction to people who think that granola bars are automatically super healthy. Both attitudes are wrong and don't look at the actual food.
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    They have granola in it

    And granola makes me lick my own @ss like a dog just to get that taste out of my mouth
  • karinefitness
    karinefitness Posts: 336 Member
    I love Luna Bars. I know there is sugar in them but if it fits my (lowish) daily sugar intake, why not? They are yummy and work when I have a sugar craving. I still think they're better than a kit kat. At least I've got some protein. I wouldn't eat them everyday... Once in a while I don't see what the big deal is, really.

    Maybe they're not the healthiest thing though, I agree.
  • lauren3382
    lauren3382 Posts: 372 Member
    Not all are created equal! I love larabars, but rarely touch anything else. I try to only eat granola bars whose ingredients are already part of my diet, like no-sugar-added dried fruit. Brown rice syrup (at best)? No thanks. Sweetened with dates? Yes please! <3

    I agree with this 100%. I won't eat a "granola" bar that has a bunch of added preservatives or unnecessary ingredients, which is why I stick to larabars. IMO, they are about as minimally processed as you can get for prepackaged product.
  • douglasmobbs
    douglasmobbs Posts: 563 Member
    too many calories for the satisfaction/goodness/filling return
  • katesnewbody
    katesnewbody Posts: 62 Member
    the nature valley ones have like 30 carbs!

    i'd rather eat homemade oatmeal and fruit cookies for 30 carbs.
    I don't know where people get this hair-brained idea that "omg carbs are bad for you,and they MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT!!11!1"
    Carbs are the building blocks of pure energy, and when you eat the right ones, they boost your mood, keep you full, and thus help you LOSE weight. Sure, eating donuts and white bread IS bad for you, but eating "carbs" like whole grains (such as the oats found in health bars) is actually quite healthy.
  • _Elemenopee_
    _Elemenopee_ Posts: 2,665 Member
    I ate them until I figured out how easy, cheap and better it was to make my own. I do what works for me. You do what works for you.
  • basschick
    basschick Posts: 3,502 Member
    I ate them until I figured out how easy, cheap and better it was to make my own. I do what works for me. You do what works for you.

    Any recipes you'd like to share? :flowerforyou:
  • sandrajune72
    sandrajune72 Posts: 492 Member
    I don't know where people get this hair-brained idea that "omg carbs are bad for you,and they MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT!!11!1"
    Carbs are the building blocks of pure energy, and when you eat the right ones, they boost your mood, keep you full, and thus help you LOSE weight. Sure, eating donuts and white bread IS bad for you, but eating "carbs" like whole grains (such as the oats found in health bars) is actually quite healthy.

    I have a friend at work that is studying to be a nutritionist and she has told me exacly the same thing! :drinker:
  • kaylurzz
    kaylurzz Posts: 121 Member
    To me, I only eat granola bars for the convenience factor. Plus they are quite tasty too sooooo......
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    I love Luna Bars. I know there is sugar in them but if it fits my (lowish) daily sugar intake, why not? They are yummy and work when I have a sugar craving. I still think they're better than a kit kat. At least I've got some protein. I wouldn't eat them everyday... Once in a while I don't see what the big deal is, really.

    Maybe they're not the healthiest thing though, I agree.

    Have to agree!

    I just started eating Luna Bars on my long hikes (8+miles) for some much needed carbs & protein. I don't eat them all the time, but they are nice to have now and then.
  • JessyLovesJCS
    JessyLovesJCS Posts: 169 Member
    I make homemade granola bars with rolled oats, rice cereal, honey, butter, cinnamon, dried fruits and roasted, unsalted almonds silvers. I don't consider them healthy-healthy and treat them as a treat or a snack for hiking, but certainly not like a Hershey's candy bar. :bigsmile:
  • catwoman131
    catwoman131 Posts: 55
    In my experience the people that say mean things to those nice, innocent granola bars are usually people that binge on them and consider them "trigger foods". I think a granola bar is a wonderful thing and a reallllly good alternative to the Snickers I might otherwise buy when I stop at 7-11 for a quick snack :)
  • kgprice11
    kgprice11 Posts: 749 Member
    mmmmmmhh I love granola bars and protein bars they fill me up
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    I used to eat bars all the time. But, now, I prefer a handful of nuts and piece of fruit.
  • _Elemenopee_
    _Elemenopee_ Posts: 2,665 Member
    I ate them until I figured out how easy, cheap and better it was to make my own. I do what works for me. You do what works for you.

    Any recipes you'd like to share? :flowerforyou:

    This is the base recipe I use. I add, change, replace, subtract and substitute just about everything. Read the comments and get lots of ideas. I replace the oil with unsweetened applesauce and use flaxseed instead of wheat germ. Lots of variations. Even the baking time and or how much you mix the ingredients can change the outcome. Enjoy!!

    http://allrecipes.com/recipe/playgroup-granola-bars/detail.aspx

    ETA: I've also added protein powder and/or PB2...YUM
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    Most of the time, I eat two protein bars a day! Zone Perfect is amazing!!
  • doorki
    doorki Posts: 2,576 Member
    I used to eat bars all the time. But, now, I prefer a handful of nuts and piece of fruit.

    you mean like a couple of walnuts and a banana?
  • _Elemenopee_
    _Elemenopee_ Posts: 2,665 Member
    I used to eat bars all the time. But, now, I prefer a handful of nuts and piece of fruit.

    you mean like a couple of walnuts and a banana?

    *snort
  • Jules2Be
    Jules2Be Posts: 2,238 Member
    I used to eat bars all the time. But, now, I prefer a handful of nuts and piece of fruit.

    you mean like a couple of walnuts and a banana?

    *snort

    mmmmmmmmmmm

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