It used to be that anything in a “nutrition” bar form tasted like cardboard. As a foodie, I couldn’t consider it “food.” But now you’ve got a lot of choices – in fact, you might find that there are so many varieties that you’re not sure which is the best bet.So here’s a list to help you pick one that’s just-right for you. (By the way, the bars I’m recommending are designed as a snack to give you a nutrition boost between meals, not bars that are designed to replace meals, give athletes a performance edge, or treat medical conditions).Look at what’s in it. Don’t worry about the number of ingredients. Instead, see what those ingredients are. If they look like they could go into a recipe, that’s a good starting point. Be sure that the first ingredient is a whole plant food source, like ground whole soybeans, almonds, or raisins. And if you see the word “artificial,” leave it on the shelf.Do a quick check of these five key nutrition facts: calories, saturated fat, trans fat, dietary fiber, and protein. Look for a bar that provides up to 200 calories. Anything significantly over 200 calories could be bad news if you want to manage your weight. Be sure that the bar provides no more than 15% of the Daily Value (DV) for saturated fat (3 or fewer grams) and 0% DV for trans fat to keep it heart-friendly. Plus, aim for at least 3 grams each of fiber and protein to help give you a feeling of fullness.Don’t worry too much about the vitamins and minerals. If you’re getting a balanced bar made with whole plant-based ingredients, you’ll be getting whole nutrition. If you already take a multivitamin supplement, you don’t need bars that are loaded with added vitamins and minerals.Remember that taste rules. You can’t determine how tasty your nutrition bar is without actually opening it, but reading through the ingredient list will help. If you like the sound of items on the ingredient list, give it a try. There’s no reason why your nutrition bar shouldn’t taste good! And if you don’t like the taste of one, there’s plenty more to choose from.MORE FROM BETTY: Read 5 Power Breakfast FoodsThese tasty, nutrient-rich bars stand up to our checklist test.For choosy palates:LarabarFlavor: Cocoa MôléCalories: 190; Saturated Fat: 1g; Trans Fat: 0g; Fiber: 5g; Protein: 4gIf you’re into full flavors, this bar will wow your tastebuds.For nuttiness:KIND Fruit + NutFlavor: Nut DelightCalories: 200; Saturated Fat: 2g; Trans Fat: 0g; Fiber: 3g; Protein: 7gA nut lover’s dream.For the crunchies:Barbara’s Crunchy Organic Granola BarsFlavor: Oats & HoneyCalories: 190; Saturated Fat: 1g; Trans Fat: 0g; Fiber: 3g; Protein: 4gGreat choice for women who eat little or no meat as it provides 8% of the daily value for iron.MORE FROM BETTY: Read What Yogurt Is Right For You?For whole soy goodness:SOYJOY Baked Whole Soy & Fruit BarFlavor: Apple WalnutCalories: 140; Saturated Fat: 2.5g; Trans Fat: 0g; Fiber: 3g; Protein: 4gFor fresh-from-the-oven essence, unwrap and gently heat in the microwave for 15 seconds.For dessert aficionados:Kashi TLC Tasty Little ChewiesFlavor: Raspberry ChocolateCalories: 120; Saturated Fat: 0.5g; Trans Fat: 0g; Fiber: 4g; Protein: 4gA delicious way to boost your intake of health-promoting whole grains.Jackie Newgent, RD, is a New York City-based nutritionist, author of Big Green Cookbook and The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook, and healthy cooking instructor at The Institute of Culinary Education.
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