Nature Valley?

akhilton
akhilton Posts: 57
in Food and Nutrition
Hiya

I was wondering what people thought of things like Nature Valley cereal bars?

I had one for breakfast this morning as it was easy (i was running late) and I had nothing else in.

Replies

  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    I don't see anything nutritionally redeeming about them, they are loaded with sugar, don't have much fiber. Not that there is anything wrong with that if it fits into your calorie goals, and you could do a whole lot worse for breakfast in a pinch!
  • MLR930
    MLR930 Posts: 95 Member
    They are in my opinion a waste of calories. If I had that for breakfast I'd be hungry again within an hour.
  • PopCorn_Said
    PopCorn_Said Posts: 119
    I use them as mid morning snacks. One at 11 am maybe keeps me going without feeling hungry until it is time to have lunch... I don't think I could have one for breakfast, I'd starve!
  • truebeliever93
    truebeliever93 Posts: 19 Member
    they're yummy, but definitely a waste of calories- AVOID.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Like a candy bar with oats in them. They aren't the worst choice (I eat the peanut butter ones), but very few granola bars would be considered healthy, and they aren't super filling.
  • Colofit
    Colofit Posts: 177 Member
    Nothing but empty crappy calories!!!!!
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Cereal bars in general seem to have persuaded many shoppers that they are a healthy option. Really, they are very high in carbs and sugars. If that's what you need (maybe pre-workout), then fine, but they have very little redeeming nutritional qualities.
  • alevett
    alevett Posts: 79 Member
    I don't eat them as a meal, but have had them occasionally as a snack. I don't like to waste my calories on them but will if I am between meals or if I need something quick and easy. They are yummy but have a lot of carbs. Some are better than others. Choose wisely. I like the Vector bars (chocolate) - lots of protein (9 grams) but again high in carbs. I don't see any problem having them in a pinch. Enjoy!
  • Sara2184
    Sara2184 Posts: 183 Member
    I agree with the others it's empty calories. It's good if you are very active & need a quick pick-me-up
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I love the Oats & Honey bars, but I rarely buy them because they have too much sugar and not much fiber. I like Kashi peanut peanut butter or Honey Almond Flax chewy granola bars best when I'm going for a granola bar. Lower sugar and decent amounts of fiber and protein for a granola bar.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    They are perfectly fine for a quick on the go grab. I like Belvita for an on the go grab . Is it 100% healthy? No. Is it easy when I'm in a hurry? Yes.

    However to the OP if you really want a healthy bar to grab I have a really good granola bar recipe I can give you. PM me if you want it.
  • akhilton
    akhilton Posts: 57
    Thanks all...

    It's not my usual breakfast - I usually have porridge made with Almond Milk - but this morning I was running really late and had not been shopping this weekend...

    I was indeed hungry by about 11, when I had a Nakd bar [i usually have those pre run, or mid ride, where they are perfect].

    Ange
  • MightyDomo
    MightyDomo Posts: 1,265 Member
    You can easily mix a low sodium granola made with honey or agave with a couple tablespoons of peanut butter and have the same thing! I use Highwood Crossing Gluten/Nut/Dairy/Egg free Flax & Sunflower Seed Granola (1/4 cup) with WowButter (1 tablespoon) and about 6-8 dried tart cherries, mix it up and it tastes way better than those nature valley bars do. Around 300 calories and only 67mg Sodium! I think it is a pretty quick alternative :)
  • ladyrider55
    ladyrider55 Posts: 316 Member
    If that's all you had available then yeah grab it & go or pair it with a piece of fruit. Next time you're at the the store look for something more healthier....there's a lot of different protein bars to buy. Good Luck :smile:
  • busycitystreets
    busycitystreets Posts: 64 Member
    Mmm, the Sweet & Salty Almond ones are my fave! I agree with the above comments - Emtpy calories, lots of sugar... But if you can fit it in, why not? There's worse things out there you could be eating.
  • h9dlb
    h9dlb Posts: 243 Member
    I think these are great - I often have the packet of 2 Oats and Hazlenut bars for breakfast at work and I disagree witht he comments that they are wasted empty calories. They keep me full until lunchtime.

    Comparison with Oats so simple porridge oats pots:

    Nature valley 42g......................oats so simple original 50g
    calories 195.........................................190
    protein 3.5......................................... 7.2
    carbs 24.7........................................30.3
    net carbs 21.6....................................... 26.6
    sugar 9.7..........................................11.2
    fibre 3.1.......................................... 3.7
    fat 8.4.......................................... 3.6
    sat fat 0.7..........................................0.6

    As you can see, the oats win on protein but the nature valley bars win on carbs, sugar, and fat (nature valley has more good fat). Calories, fibre and sat fat are about the same.

Categories