Granola bars can spark a serious debate, depending on who you talk to. Some say they are the healthiest, most convenient snack while others call them granola covered candy bars. I have had my fair share of these from Chewy Bars to the all organic Lara Bars and everything in between. While I admit the healthiest way to get granola bars is to make them yourself, I know that is not realistic for everyone due to lack of time, ingredients or just plain ol’ desire (where’s the convenience in that?). Buying them is your next best option and here are the actual healthiest granola bars you can snack on when on the go, at work, before or after the gym, or throw in your kids lunch box!
1. Nothin’ But Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Bar
Made with real ingredients (oats, peanuts, honey are the main ones) that you can actually pronounce, it tastes like a homemade dessert bar, and its 360 calories will fill you up with good fats and protein, instead of processed carbs. This bar is best for the long stretch between lunch and dinner.
2. Kind Fruit & Nut Bar
Kind bars come in all sizes and flavors. Some are just as simple as the fruit and nut bars while others have crazy bursts of jalapeno, ginger and chili pepper. Their purpose is to get you all-natural ingredients such as whole nuts, fruits and grains you can see!
3. Health Warrior Chia Bar Apple Cinnamon
Who doesn’t love waking up with the delicious smell of apples and cinnamon? This 100-calorie bar packs a lot of punch in a small package. It’s vegan friendly, gluten-free, and has a base of antioxidant-packed chia seeds. Perfect for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack!
4. Vega Snack Dark Chocolate Cashew Cherry
This plant based snack bar is perfect to keep in your desk drawer. At only 180 calories per bar, it’ll keep the mid-day munchies at rest. Every Vega Snack Bar is non-gmo, gluten free, and contains 1 gram of omega 3.
5. ProBar Bite Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
Before you exercise, you want a snack that is high in carbs and light in protein. This ProBar Bite delivers 28 grams of carbs and 6 grams of protein, and reminds us of a real peanut butter cookie, without the manufactured, chalky taste of typical PB bars.
6. Zing Almond Blueberry
If you love almond butter, this bar is for you. Made with a generous helping of real organic blueberries for an extra flavor and antioxidant punch. At 220 calories and 11 grams of protein this bar can be used for meal replacement.
7. LaraBar Cherry Pie
Dates, almonds, cherries: the only ingredients. Literally! LaraBar wants you to be able to read and pronounce every ingredient- and you will. These bars are all gluten free, dairy free, soy free, non-GMO, vegan and kosher, naturally.
8. Simple Squares Coffee
Healthy on-the-go snacks. Paleo, organic, Non GMO, gluten free, nutrition bars. Clean energy – only 5 ingredients. Perfect for CrossFit, workouts, travel, meal replacement.
9. Rise Crunchy Cranberry Apple Breakfast Bar
“Real Food on the Rise” is used as their motto, Rise bars make nutrition simple. A great start to any morning with simple, wholesome, non-GMO ingredients.
10. thinkThin White Chocolate Bar
9g protein, 3g fiber and 190 calories make this bar a tasty, healthier alternative to salty snacks and candy bars. It can be used to replace a meal during the day or a quick bite to hold you over between your busy schedule.
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Which of these healthy granola bars will you be trying next?