There are protein bars, energy bars, and fiber bars. There are grocery store aisles specifically for these foods, so what is so great about them and which bars are good options?

Bars are great for an on the go snack, perfect for staying fueled until your next meal. Bars  When looking for a bar, look at the ingredient list. The shorter the better! That means the bars are less processed and (typically) wholesome ingredients.

Choose a bar with 5g of fiber or more. Rule of thumb: when you are increasing fiber you want to stay hydrated by drinking more water. Also, try to choose a bar with at least 10 grams of protein. Protein and carbohydrates aid in the stabilization of blood sugar and provide fullness.

Keep in mind, bars typically don’t provide enough calories, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals that you need to be considered a meal.

To identify the amount of protein and fiber, you need to know how to read a food label. Focus on the ingredients, servings per container, serving size per bar, protein, and fiber. There may be other things that you look at when reading a food label, which is great too!

Sarah Waterman, Missouri State University Dietetic Intern