Healthy or Not? Nature Valley Protein Bars

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Replies

  • mamasitaroja
    mamasitaroja Posts: 52 Member
    These bars TASTE FANTASTIC, and given the amount of calories I am putting out, and the crap I could also choose to put in while completing my extremely busy day, I find that these have been awarded *good to go* status for me. But it's a personal choice for everyone. I keep these stashed in my car specifically for the days where I look at the clock, realize it's been 5-6 hours since I last remembered to eat, and I can feel grouch-mode coming on as I pick up the kids from school. Quick fix, shareable, what's not to like? :)

    If you ask me, I say DIG IN! :)
  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
    I'm a fan of quest bars too. 20g of protein and if you have any issues getting enough fiber they will fix that too. Check them out.

    Too much sugar in Nature Valley.
  • mariposa224
    mariposa224 Posts: 1,241 Member
    Well, they taste incredibly good, that's what made me doubt. I tried a Cliff bar once...and eww yuck. I'd rather not eat.
    What flavor did you try? There are a few Clif bars that I don't like, either, but most of them I find to be very tasty. Zone Perfect Chocolate Almond Raisin is a fave of mine as well.
    Calories: 210
    Total Fat: 7g
    Chol: <5mg
    Sodium: 250mg
    Potassium: 150mg
    Total Carb: 23g
    Fiber: <1g
    Sugars: 17g
    Protein: 15g
    With the higher carbs & sugars, I suppose you might want to use this as more than a snack, since I believe you said you were recommended to keep the carbs for snacks at 15g? But I love that these are so very tasty and have 15g of protein. I use them as snacks pretty frequently, but I'm also not necessarily restricting carbs (other than trying to keep that macro at 45%) and I'm also on maintenance, to the few extra calories aren't as big a deal.
  • shoppingdiva2011
    shoppingdiva2011 Posts: 127 Member
    I tried these Nature Valley Protein Bars thinking if I got more protein in my diet I would stay full for a snack but they are GROSS. Too hard. I would rather have fruit, almonds such as Emerald Dry Roasted and string cheese. YUCK YUCK YUCK but their other bars are good:laugh:
  • ChitownFoodie
    ChitownFoodie Posts: 1,562 Member
    I have 2 of them every single day! I eat them mostly because they are tasty, and the 10g of protein is an added benefit. I always have one or two in my purse at all times, just incase I can't stop somewhere and eat.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    Healthy is relative to the overall diet and amount.

    I'd say they are fine, but it also depends on what you eat them for. If you eat them for yummy goodness, then they seem fine. If you eat them to load up on carbs, then WRONG. If you eat them for protein, there are better sources of protein but they do offer a variety and its good to mix things up. If you eat them for fats, they are high in fat which could be good if you lack fats in other areas of your diet.
  • Moxie42
    Moxie42 Posts: 1,400 Member
    For a judgment of true "health" I would look at the ingredients and see what the situation is in regards to processed or modified ingredients. BUT as you mentioned, a snack like that is still way better than something like fries. I don't eat things like that daily because I'm trying to eat mostly clean, but if I'm craving something sweet like a candy bar, I'll go for one of those or the Fiber One Chocolate & Oats bars- that way I get my sweet fix without completely overloading on crap.
  • Cdoug99
    Cdoug99 Posts: 23 Member
    What are Macros? I've read that a few times in posts.
  • EvanKeel
    EvanKeel Posts: 1,904 Member
    What are Macros? I've read that a few times in posts.

    It's short for "macronutrient" (protein, carbs, fats). Depending on what your goals and activities look like, the composition of those macros may play a lesser or greater role in your food consumption.
  • sherylhs
    sherylhs Posts: 141 Member
    Check out fooducate.com, it has great insight into whats good and bad, and can even suggest better alternatives! I have the app on my phone as well, and I go nuts with it when food shopping! You can just scan the barcode and it gives you the info right there.

    Thanks! Looks very helpful!
    ~S
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    I've never been a big granola bar fan...not because of nutrition, just don't like the taste too much. But if I really need something easy on the run I'll buy a Cliff Bar or a Larabar...these taste better to me than Nature Valley or Quaker bars.
  • Eat_clean_stay_tiny
    Eat_clean_stay_tiny Posts: 67
    a lot of fat for a snack bar. Make your own.

    DON'T FEAR THE FAT.
    Fat is healthy and doesn't make you fat. It's because these bars have nuts in them
  • Eat_clean_stay_tiny
    Eat_clean_stay_tiny Posts: 67
    These are SO good. Obviously not the BEST choice for a protein bar BUT of course It's alright to eat them in moderation. Also, If you like them, Eat them. (:
  • Unodragone
    Unodragone Posts: 33
    Granola bars are definitley my go to snack in between meals and especially when taking a looonnggg night course. I am quite skeptical on protein bars and suggest going by the ingredients. If you can't pronounce an ingredient and if there is more than one form of syrup I'd say move on and find a healthier bar that is more natural. I really enjoy the Kind bars (even if they are usually 140 calories) and although Nature Valley has canola oil and brown sugar syrup (oats n honey) the calories are low and I feel it quinches my never satisfied tummy with some energy to spare :happy:
  • Emily92988
    Emily92988 Posts: 1
    These are a great choice. 10 grams of protein is a healthy amount for a snack. You never want to eat more than 20 grams in an hour because your body can't absorb it. You will end up just eating extra calories for nothing. The Net carbs on these bars are good as well. While there are 14 grams of carbs, there is 5 grams of fiber which makes the Net Carb intake only 9. Anytime the protein is more than the carbs you have a winner! Hope this helps & Best of Luck. I am down 60 pounds by following this way of eating.
  • Lalasharni
    Lalasharni Posts: 353 Member
    So, I'm starting dieting. I'm trying to pick healthy snacks. I mean, compared to McDonalds fries its gotta be a better choice right. I'm not a body builder or super health buff, just trying to shed pounds.

    So, is this a good snack or a candy bar in disguize. They try and be so tricky these days with marketing.

    Calories 190
    from fat 110
    Fat 12g
    Sat Fat 3.5g
    Sodium 170g
    FIBER 5g
    PROTEIN 10g

    Try making these:

    Ingredients

    I jar unsweetened Apple Sauce (approx 1 1/2 cups)
    2 bananas, mashed
    1/2 Cup Splenda Brand Brown Sugar Blend
    2 Eggs
    3 Tsps Vanilla Extract
    1/4 cup light margarine or butter (optional)

    1 1/2 Cups Flour
    1 Tbsp Cinnamon
    3 tsps Nutmeg
    1 tsp Baking Soda
    2 1/2 Cup Oatmeal (instant worked fine)
    1/4 Cup Wheat Germ
    1/2 Cup Protein Powder (chocolate or vanilla, or desired flavor)
    1 Tbsp Cocoa
    1/4 Cup Chocolate Chips (optional)


    Directions

    Mix dry and wet ingredients separately. Mix together. Spoon onto greased (light Pam) cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes.
    SUGAR 6 g.
  • dyingbr33d
    dyingbr33d Posts: 1
    DANGER FOR MALES!!! I do not recommend this product for males. I recently learned Of the seriously dangerous compound known commonly as "soy" which if you check the ingredient list is number two. Women do not let men unknowingly consume this compound as it is incredibly estrogenic. Men do not purchase this as a protein supplement and or snack avoid soy at all costs.
  • CarlieeBear
    CarlieeBear Posts: 325 Member
    Try Zone Perfect bars. Much better nutritional stats.

    I like these and the Market Pantry (Target's store brand) Nutrition Bars. They'll cost twice as much, but have a lot more nutritional value. Look for these in the nutrition bars area where the protein drinks and power bars are sold.

    I'm surprised they have 10g of protein. Most of the bars I see advertised as protein bars in the regular "granola bar" section have 5g or fewer.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Try Zone Perfect bars. Much better nutritional stats.

    I like these and the Market Pantry (Target's store brand) Nutrition Bars. They'll cost twice as much, but have a lot more nutritional value. Look for these in the nutrition bars area where the protein drinks and power bars are sold.

    I'm surprised they have 10g of protein. Most of the bars I see advertised as protein bars in the regular "granola bar" section have 5g or fewer.

    It's an old thread, it must have changed since. But yeah, I always laugh at those so called 'protein bars'.
  • trm68
    trm68 Posts: 55 Member
    I am eating one of Nature V.Protein bars as I type..........they are good..........as for healthy,,I can pronounce most of the words in the ingredient section, so Im good to go,lol. As much as I exercise, cardio stuff, some lite insanity version of my own and being 68 years old with virtually 99% good health, am not fluffy, can still jog if I want to, and do the Leslie Sansone 5 mile walk plus walking around the lake here, Im ok..............................now where is my cell phone, teeth, and vitamins.

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