What's the verdict on Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars?

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jtintx
jtintx Posts: 445 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I really love the convenience of grabbing a Nutri-Grain cereal bar (or two) before heading off in the early morning to workout. No mess, no dishes to clean. But does anyone know what the GI value of these things are? I can't seem to find it anywhere online. Is there a better option for a breakfast bar that you know of? I'm looking for something around 120-150 calories that is low in fat and low in protein....looking for carbs here... that has a lower GI index so as not to spike my insulin level too much before working out. Also, it would be really nice if it was priced about the same as the Nutri-Grain bars. Some of those energy bars can be really expensive and if I'm going to eat them most mornings it would be nice if they were reasonably priced. Thanks.

Replies

  • ambercole
    ambercole Posts: 426
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    I love them. i always keep a couple in my bag so that way i have a healthy option when i'm tempted to eat something bad, or when i'm starving and can't stop for "real food".
  • jhbullen
    jhbullen Posts: 4
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    They taste a little sugary and chemical-y to me.

    I have been trying to cut out processed foods and foods that have too many preservatives on the suggestion of my nutritionist. As such, I've been on a Lara Bar kick for a while - they are made with dried fruits and nuts, never more than four or five ingredients, and come in great flavors - peanut butter & jelly, cherry pie, pecan pie, key lime pie, etc. They're raw and I believe organic, and you can get them in most grocery stores as well as Whole Foods. They also have more fiber than the Nutri-Grain bars. They have a few more calories than a Nutri-Grain bar (they tend to be 170-200 cals. each) but I feel better eating something more natural! They're very yummy!
  • SouthernBell86
    SouthernBell86 Posts: 275 Member
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    Well they use high fructose corn syrup in the crust and filling. They also use corn syrup, sugar and honey. Apple puree is already pretty sweet, so I don't really think it should need all that sugar added.

    Personally I have made it my goal to stop eating products that have high fructose corn syrup in them. This is an easy way of cutting out a lot of the worst products, without having several ingredients to remember. Generally if a product has several ingredients I can't pronounce and have no idea what they are used for, I ditch them too.

    I have been eating Ezekial Bread for breakfast. They have a cinnamon raisin loaf, and english muffins. One cinnamon raisin English muffin is 160 caories, so are two pieces of toast. They are stored in the frozen food section of the grocery store (because the bread has fewer preservatives, it needs to be frozen, but that means it's healthier for you! Just pop one or two in the toaster and spread a little butter on it and you're good to go! If you use the plain bread (which I love, and use for sandwiches and all other bread needs) you can either just use butter or put some flavored jam on it. Anyway both of these breads carry the low glycemic stamp of approval on them. Very filling, delicious and healthy :)

    I can't go back to other breads. Ezekial bread has really helped me to clean up a lot of my breakfast and lunch options, since most bread on the shelves has high fructose corn syrup in them.
  • theresasp
    theresasp Posts: 2
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    a little off topic but you mention Ezekial bread ... I read a diet book based on blood type and it mentioned I as type O+ blood type should eat that type of bread ... but I did not like it ... the texture seems to be off to me ... maybe the cinnamon raisin English muffin would work as I wouldn't expect it to be like real bread ... texture and taste ... I think I may try it again ...
  • Alioth
    Alioth Posts: 571 Member
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    I'm partial to the Fiber One 90 cal bars (2 g fat), but they also have corn syrup and junky fillers in them. I'm always trying to cram as much fiber into me as possible though.
  • ysaidpie
    ysaidpie Posts: 83
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    On FoodNetwork, Alton Brown made his own granola bars that were natural & full of all the stuff that's good for you. You can put whatever you want in them to suit your needs. Plus they are a lot cheaper to make than to buy. Check out foodnetwork.com & search for granola bars if making your own is something you would consider
  • imagymrat
    imagymrat Posts: 862 Member
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    Nutri-Grain cereal bars, are no more healthy for you then glosette rasins or chocolate covered peanuts...it's all sugary, garbage.
  • Beth720
    Beth720 Posts: 661 Member
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    if you have a Trader Joe's near you, they have cereal bars - "This [insert fruit here] Walks Into A Bar" - that are virtually the same as Nurti-Grain bars...but without the nasty high fructose corn syrup and chemicals that are in Nutri-Grain bars.
  • lilscuder
    lilscuder Posts: 88 Member
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    I have a Apple Streusel Fiber One Bar, while I'm having my morning walk. Onloy 2 grms. of fat. I think 80 or so calorie. high in fiber. Keeps me satisfied, along with water for a while. It's quiete tasty. I love Trader Joes Medditeranian Humas. A little fills you up, and is yummy.
  • Fit4Penny
    Fit4Penny Posts: 75 Member
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    Kashi has a version of a nutri-grain bars called TLC Cereal Bars. I don't think they have anything bad in them, but I don't have a box in front of me to look. I buy them for my kids instead of the nutri-grain bars and they really like them. They come in apple, strawberry and blackberry graham. You can find them at any grocery store.
  • ysaidpie
    ysaidpie Posts: 83
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    I found this recipe- sounds delicious especially with fall coming. I am not sure about the GI, but they are relatively Low in carbs and sugar per bar. I am going to try to make them tomorrow! http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=22633
  • foodpornlover
    foodpornlover Posts: 4 Member
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    Hi There. I am just like you I love my nutragrain bars. I found this: I hope this helps. GI is around 18.

    http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/snacks/5642/2
  • aimforhealthy
    aimforhealthy Posts: 449 Member
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    They're a little too sweet for my tastes (but neither do I like the Kashi variety, which taste like apple-juice-sweetened cardboard to me). But they're not bad or garbage or any other weird moral judgment people want to pass on them because they don't ft into their ill-conceived restrictive diets. If you enjoy them, fit them into your daily calories and macros and have at it.
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
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    I'm not a fan of those personally; I don't have any information about their GI number or anything.

    I really like KIND bars. They're tasty. They have a healthy grains that includes an amazing Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt bar.

    Ingredients: Whole grains (gluten free oats, brown rice, millet, gluten free oat flour, buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa), tapioca syrup, pumpkin seeds, Non GMO canola oil, coconut, sunflower seeds, honey, evaporated cane juice, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, gum acacia, sea salt, natural maple flavor, Natural Vitamin E.

    Cal: 150, Carb: 22g
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
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    Hi There. I am just like you I love my nutragrain bars. I found this: I hope this helps. GI is around 18.

    http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/snacks/5642/2

    I think the OP probably got their answer in the last 4 years.
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,065 Member
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    I think they are gross :sick:
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
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    Hi There. I am just like you I love my nutragrain bars. I found this: I hope this helps. GI is around 18.

    http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/snacks/5642/2

    I think the OP probably got their answer in the last 4 years.

    Danggit. I wish MFP could lock old threads.

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