Coco Nutty Protein Packed Sugar-Free Granola Bars - IQS Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are granola bars a healthy snack Why or why not? ›

Granola bars can be healthy, but added sugars, calories, and artificial flavors can diminish the health quality of some over others.

For best results, steer clear of highly processed, artificially sweetened granola bars. Instead, opt for ones made from whole ingredients, such as whole grains, fruit, nuts, or seeds, as these are more likely to help you meet your daily nutrient needs. It's also worth favoring bars rich in fiber and protein.

Commercial varieties of granola are often loaded with enough added sugar to rival a slice of chocolate cake. Homemade granola recipes are often no better, calling for ample amounts of refined sugar, maple syrup, honey and other sweeteners.

Some granola bars are not only calorie-dense, but nutrient-poor and high in added sugars and extra fats. Instead, select a granola or cereal bar without sources of extra sugar and fat, such as chocolate candies or chocolate chips, chocolate coating, and hydrogenated oils.

For most people, a granola bar in your lunch or for snack every day is not going to be an issue. If we're having 2-3 a day, maybe it's time to find some more variety in your snacks, but that could vary by the person based on their specific needs.

Best Organic

If you're looking for a certified organic granola bar, Cascadian Farms Oats and Honey bars offer a classic granola bar that is made from organic ingredients. This is a basic granola bar recipe using mostly oats and sweetener to stick the oats together. The oats help provide 3 grams of fiber per bar.

While there are several different sticky ingredients that you can use, we've found that the binding agent that works the best is honey! When added to your homemade granola bars, honey acts as glue that sticks all the pieces together.

Add an egg white.

The whites act as a kind of glue that binds the ingredients together. To ensure that the egg whites coat all the ingredients, I beat them with a whisk until foamy and increased in volume, which makes it much easier to fold into the granola.

Can I use butter instead of coconut oil in granola? ›

You can also use butter, regular refined coconut oil, vegetable or canola oil–simply choose which fat you prefer or have on hand.

Yes, it is possible to eat too much granola. While granola can be a healthy and nutritious food, it is often high in calories and sugar, especially if it contains added sweeteners or dried fruit. Eating too much granola on a regular basis can contribute to weight gain and other health problems.

Often touted for their whole grain goodness, most granola bars are sticky-sweet junk food in disguise. Don't let a few oats fool you — especially when you also see marshmallows and chocolate chips. Instead: If granola bars are a must-have, choose one with 6 grams of sugar or less per bar, and hopefully some fibre.

The Bottom Line. Granola is healthy in small amounts, especially because oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in granola provide some fiber that's good for heart and gut health. However, granola can also be a rich source of calories, saturated fat and sugar, depending on the brand you buy.

Healthy granola contains whole grains such as oats and barley, nuts, and very little added sugar and fat. Eaten in moderation, this calorie-dense food can help fill you up, provide energy, and have a positive impact on several important metabolic health indicators (blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight).

Many types of granola contain healthy ingredients that may offer numerous benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and gut health.

“It's water fortified with vitamins—there's no evidence of value, and it may actually be harmful.” Enough said. Yes, granola bars are healthy (when made of real grains, nuts, and fruit), but they're for energy, not weight loss. In fact, you could be gaining weight if they're your go-to snack.