What are the healthiest granola bars or breakfast bars?

sweetgrasswoman
sweetgrasswoman Posts: 99 Member
in Food and Nutrition
There are sooo many out there Im lost in them- which ones are low cal that do not make you hungry? Or which ones are great for Breakfast?
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Replies

  • nari202
    nari202 Posts: 6
    I like the Nature Valley ones. I think they're pretty healthy, although they do have a bit of sugar. They keep me satiated and they aren't too many calories.
  • angiechimpanzee
    angiechimpanzee Posts: 536 Member
    Luna Bars. Clif Bars. Kashi GoLean protein bars. Larabars.

    The common ones - Nature's Valley, Nutrigrain, Special K - are amongst the worst at keeping you full. They're mostly just sugar and carb. The ones I listed have a significant amount of fiber & protein, & that'll keep you satiated for longer.
  • nari202
    nari202 Posts: 6
    I looked up the differences between the brands you mentioned. They actually all have around the same amount of carbs per serving size. Nature Valley bars are only an extra 10 calories compared to Luna Bars and they actually have 1 gram LESS sugar than Luna Bars.
  • angiechimpanzee
    angiechimpanzee Posts: 536 Member
    I looked up the differences between the brands you mentioned. They actually all have around the same amount of carbs per serving size. Nature Valley bars are only an extra 10 calories compared to Luna Bars and they actually have 1 gram LESS sugar than Luna Bars.
    Yes, but the amount of protein & fiber in Nature Valley bars is only half of that present in Luna Bars. And those are the macros that make a bar even worth eating. Otherwise it'll just go right through you.

    Nature Valley Bar in Oats & Honey
    180 Calories
    2 grams fiber
    4 grams protein

    Luna Bar in Caramel Nut Brownie
    180 Calories
    4 grams fiber
    9 grams protein
  • Kelly_Runs_NC
    Kelly_Runs_NC Posts: 474 Member
    There are sooo many out there Im lost in them- which ones are low cal that do not make you hungry? Or which ones are great for Breakfast?

    Luna bars, cliff bars, lara bars and zone perfect bars.
  • booboo68
    booboo68 Posts: 302 Member
    I like Quest Bars. They come in a variety of flavors. Look on their website.
  • Pandasarecool
    Pandasarecool Posts: 508 Member
    Cliff Mojo bar, white chocolate macadamia nut is my favorite for a on the go breakfast!
  • ObtainingBalance
    ObtainingBalance Posts: 1,446 Member
    I looked up the differences between the brands you mentioned. They actually all have around the same amount of carbs per serving size. Nature Valley bars are only an extra 10 calories compared to Luna Bars and they actually have 1 gram LESS sugar than Luna Bars.
    Yes, but the amount of protein & fiber in Nature Valley bars is only half of that present in Luna Bars. And those are the macros that make a bar even worth eating. Otherwise it'll just go right through you.

    Nature Valley Bar in Oats & Honey
    180 Calories
    2 grams fiber
    4 grams protein

    Luna Bar in Caramel Nut Brownie
    180 Calories
    4 grams fiber
    9 grams protein

    Luna bars win, lol!
    Buut, I have nature valley granola bars every now and then, I consider them more like a treat/cookie though. I am aware that they have a lot of sugar and not too much fiber /protein. They give me a boost before a workout. I would suggest you not keeping them as a meal, because they won't work well. Try some protein and good carbs. Or, have an egg on the side with a granola bar... I guess whatever works for you @The OP
  • girllovedcupcakes
    girllovedcupcakes Posts: 109 Member
    Nature Valley - Protein Chewy Bar Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate

    Calories 190
    Protein 10 g
    Total Carbs 14 g
    Sugars 6 g

    Sodium 170 mg
    Total Fat 12 g
    Potassium 0 mg
    Saturated 4 g
    Polyunsaturated 1 g
    Dietary Fiber 5 g
    Monounsaturated 7 g
    Trans 0 g
    Cholesterol 0 mg
    Vitamin A 0% Calcium 2%
    Vitamin C 0% Iron 8%
  • Marksman21
    Marksman21 Posts: 126 Member
    I kinda fell in love with "Fiber One - Chocolate & Oats". Good for a fast grab and munch.
  • ToughTulip
    ToughTulip Posts: 1,118 Member
    You can also make your own! Banana oatmeal bars mmmm :)
  • meg7399
    meg7399 Posts: 672 Member
    I eat Special K Protein Meal bars when I'm on the go. I like the chocolate peanut butter ones best. They have 180 cals (I am sure tons of carbs and sugars but I don't track those). They also have a decent amount of protein. I eat one at 630 and I am good to go until my lunch at 1130.
  • kdt000
    kdt000 Posts: 27 Member
    Luna Bars are my favorite. The Caramel Nut Brownie and the Chocolate Raspberry. I eat one of them every day for breakfast - Today I didn't have one so I had some special K pastry crisps that I had - and I can tell a huge difference in how Luna bars keep me feeling full all morning. Now I have to be sure to buy some more tonight!
  • Slack2ShortGo
    Slack2ShortGo Posts: 74 Member
    I like the Nature Valley ones. I think they're pretty healthy, although they do have a bit of sugar. They keep me satiated and they aren't too many calories.

    Me too. I eat a Fruit and Nut bar almost every morning for breakfast.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    If I was really truly concerned about this stuff, I wouldn't eat these bars at all. Just find one you like and enjoy it. The differences are extremely minor. You're bascially eating a "lite" candy bar. That's it. Just sort of understand that, and don't worry about it.
  • themommie
    themommie Posts: 5,033 Member
    I love the fiber one chocolate chip and only 90 cals....yum
  • kimama01
    kimama01 Posts: 28 Member
    Larabars all the way baby!
  • rexia111
    rexia111 Posts: 1
    LARA BARS- 180-210
    (100% NATURAL-TASTE AMAZING)
    LEMON LUNA BARS-190
    SPECIAL MEAL BARS-180 (MORE LUNCH)
  • fun_b
    fun_b Posts: 199 Member
    I like the Nature Valley ones. I think they're pretty healthy, although they do have a bit of sugar. They keep me satiated and they aren't too many calories.

    These are my favourite too.
  • Angela9559
    Angela9559 Posts: 9 Member
    http://www.honeybar.ca/home.htm

    love the cranberry one
  • BogQueen1
    BogQueen1 Posts: 320 Member
    I looooove Quest bars. I was looking for something specifically gluten free while trying Atkin's one time, and stumbled across them. 17-20 grams of fiber, 20 odd grams of protein. Just don't expect the normal cake or cookie like texture of some bars. They are very different, very dense, almost nougaty? They take some serious chewing and a bottle of water.

    Avoid the chocolate flavors. I love the coconut cashew, strawberry cheesecake, lemon cream pie, and the cinnamon roll heated in the microwave for a few seconds are to die for.
  • AyaKara
    AyaKara Posts: 220
    What I want is a bar that has no saturated fats, low-sodium, very fibrous, & is high in protein. Not one bar brand posted in this thread fulfills those requirements :frown:
  • Priincess_Natalie
    Priincess_Natalie Posts: 367 Member
    I know they are a bit junky but I'm in love with Luna bars. I also like Kind Plus bars. I get the dark chocolate one use it either pre or post workout or as a dessert.
  • ActiveYogi
    ActiveYogi Posts: 27 Member
    Kashi chewy bars have about 5g sugar!!!

    There's actually an app for the iphone called FOODUCATE, where you can scan packaged stuff and it gives it a grade based on how healthy it is then it recommends alternatives as well.
  • dunadan
    dunadan Posts: 105 Member
    KIND bars aren't technically granola bars, but they are my favorite energy-type bar by far. I feel guilty eating them, they are so good. All natural ingredients, usually 4-6 per bar, gluten-free, and nothing you can't pronounce. :) My favorites are Nut Delight, Fruit and Nut Delight, and Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein.

    Bars typically run 180-210 calories, with 3-7g of protein.

    Look for them in natural food stores (Whole Foods, etc.) or in the natural foods section of your local supermarket. You can also order them by the case at a discount from www.kindsnacks.com.

    I don't work for the company, but after they came to my workplace and demoed their lineup, I became a convert. I typically have a bar in mid-afternoon to fend off the late-afternoon munchies and get me through to dinnertime without hitting the vending machine for something much less nutritious. :smile:
  • Priincess_Natalie
    Priincess_Natalie Posts: 367 Member
    KIND bars aren't technically granola bars, but they are my favorite energy-type bar by far. I feel guilty eating them, they are so good. All natural ingredients, usually 4-6 per bar, gluten-free, and nothing you can't pronounce. :) My favorites are Nut Delight, Fruit and Nut Delight, and Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein.

    Bars typically run 180-210 calories, with 3-7g of protein.

    Look for them in natural food stores (Whole Foods, etc.) or in the natural foods section of your local supermarket. You can also order them by the case at a discount from www.kindsnacks.com.

    I don't work for the company, but after they came to my workplace and demoed their lineup, I became a convert. I typically have a bar in mid-afternoon to fend off the late-afternoon munchies and get me through to dinnertime without hitting the vending machine for something much less nutritious. :smile:


    ^^This^^ LOVE Kind bars. I find them next to the luna bars at my local Wal-Mart.
  • chocolateluvr80
    chocolateluvr80 Posts: 64 Member
    The ones that you make yourself.
  • angiechimpanzee
    angiechimpanzee Posts: 536 Member
    I kinda fell in love with "Fiber One - Chocolate & Oats". Good for a fast grab and munch.
    Two words - gas. chamber.

    Lmao, that's why I stopped eating those):
  • Bess_74
    Bess_74 Posts: 68
    I kinda fell in love with "Fiber One - Chocolate & Oats". Good for a fast grab and munch.

    ^^ I love these!! I have them for a mid morning snack
    140 calories, but 9 grams of fiber & 2 grams of protein.
    They make a 90 calorie version that I haven't tried yet, not sure if it's just smaller or what
  • stljam
    stljam Posts: 512 Member
    Luna Bars. Clif Bars. Kashi GoLean protein bars. Larabars.

    The common ones - Nature's Valley, Nutrigrain, Special K - are amongst the worst at keeping you full. They're mostly just sugar and carb. The ones I listed have a significant amount of fiber & protein, & that'll keep you satiated for longer.

    I wonder if you are only referencing the Special K snack bars which are terrible imho. Do you know that they make protein meal bars?

    For example, the Special K Protein Meal Bar Chocolatey Chip is 170 calories, 4.5g fat, 26g carbs, 5g fiber, 10g protein, very filling and tastey. They also have a chocolate peanut butter version that is very good.

    For the OP, as others have said, luna and cliff make some very good products. Kind has a lot of very, very good products (my favorite is the dark chocolate cherry cashew or the dark chocolate cinnamon pecan). I really also enjoy the Rickland Orchards greek yogurt bars. The Pure Cherry Cashew bar is good as well.

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