The variety of energy bars, snack bars, diet bars, protein bars and high-performance bars that line grocery store shelves today is staggering. And their health claims are just as mind-boggling. Yet some offer no less sugar, fat and overall calories than a typical candy bar.
ConsumerLab.com, an independent research organization based in White Plains, N.Y., suggests consumers keep an eye out for hidden sources of fat and sugar, which can shoot calories sky-high; and additives such as herbs, vitamins and minerals that you may not need. Scan ingredient labels carefully. Watch for:
• Sources of saturated fat. In some bars, more than half of fat content is saturated or trans fats. Check the label for palm and coconut oil, cocoa butter, butter and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Are there more than 4 or so grams of fat in that bar? Leave it on the shelf.
• Sources of sugar. Because they are designed to deliver quick energy, many nutrition bars are comparatively high in sugar. Sources of sugar include high fructose corn syrup, glucose syrup, maltodextrin, maltose, honey, fructose, dextrose, grape and pear juice concentrate, evaporated cane syrup and brown rice syrup. According to ConsumerLab, sugar alcohols such as malitol and lacitol are added to reduce calories but can may cause gas and discomfort.
• Other additives. Many bars are vitamin- or mineral-fortified, which is welcome if you don’t already take these supplements separately. But often, the quantities are no more than you’d get from a multi-vitamin or – preferably – a less fattening, less-processed food such as a cup of steamed vegetables, a piece of fish or a bowl of soup.
RAISE THE BAR
The top-selling nutrition bar brands in 2007, according to Nutrition Business Journal, were: Nestle’s Powerbar, Kraft’s Balance Bar, SouthBeach Bar, Clif Bar, Abbott Nutrition’s Ensure, ZonePerfect and EAS bars, and NBTY’s MET-Rx bar. Knowing this, of course, doesn’t tell you which one is appropriate to meet your needs.
have made the article helpful. Also, you should have reviewed more. Please do this
article over and add what we all have asked for. Thnaks
There is at least one other bar out there comparable.
Without this information the article is pretty much useless.
not worth the time it took me to log on and read the story. no in-depth review. very disappointing
Thanks but I was let down by only three comments from your staff. Give us what we were led to expect.
What is this??
I like all varieties of the Kashi bars.
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