nutrition

Why You Should Skip Most 'Healthy' Snack Bars

Why You Should Skip Most 'Healthy' Snack Bars

Most 'healthy' snack bars (granola bars, protein bars, energy bars) are candy bars with marketing — high sugar, low protein, lots of fillers. The health framing doesn't survive a careful ingredient list. The few exceptions are worth knowing; most aren't.

What to look for

Protein content over 10g (genuine protein bar). Sugar content under 8g. Short ingredient list with recognisable items. Bonus: high fibre (5g+).

What's mostly misleading

'Made with whole grains' (often a small amount). 'Natural ingredients' (sugar is natural). 'No added sugar' (often uses concentrates that are functionally sugar). 'Plant-based protein' (often pea protein in tiny amounts).

Better snack options

Greek yoghurt + nuts. Hard-boiled egg + carrot sticks. Cottage cheese + berries. Apple + almond butter. Beef jerky + cheese cube. Hummus + veg.

Check the label rather than trusting the front-of-pack marketing. Most 'healthy' bars don't pass scrutiny.