lundi 8 octobre 2012

Healthy Snack Bars Are A Nutritious Choice

By Doris Rivas


Sometimes snacks that are touted as nutritious are loaded with sugars and oils and a host of other unhealthy ingredients. For this reason, it is important to closely examine the ingredient list on any box of healthy snack bars that one is considering buying. A health bar that is truly nutritious should have no oil, added sugar or processed ingredients.

When looking for the aforementioned snacks, the first factor a person should consider is if the bar consists of whole food ingredients. The latter include nuts, fruits, and whole grains. Ingredients that are artificial, such as those mentioned above, or high fructose corn syrup are not nutritious regardless of how attractively the product is packaged.

Another wise activity is to read the nutrition panel to discover how many fat calories the bar contains. If more than a third of the bar's calories are from fat, one should look for another brand. Additionally, brands containing partially hydrogenated oil should be shunned, as this ingredient means that the bar contains trans fats, which have a negative effect on the heart.

It is also important to give thought to the protein content in each bar. However, the appropriate amount of protein is dependent upon how one will be using the health bar. For example, if it will be eaten with other fare, the shopper should choose a brand that has a minimum of five protein grams. If the bar will be used as a meal replacement, a brand that has as many as twelve protein grams is a suitable choice.

The way the bar will be used is also an essential consideration regarding calories. Again, if used for meal replacement, a brand that contains as many as 400 calories is appropriate. However, bars with 150 calories or less are the best choice for individuals who are purchasing the product for use as a healthy snack.

Fiber is another essential consideration when one is choosing healthy snack bars. This is because diets low in fiber can lead to specific health problems. For this reason, it is wise to choose a bar with at least three grams of fiber. The latter is usually listed under total carbohydrates on the bar's packaging.

In every instance, consumers should avoid bars with high sugar content. Many people mistakenly think that watching fat content is all that is important in order to eat healthy. However, foods that contain high levels of sugar are just as unhealthy as high-fat fare.

Fortunately, some snacks of this type are categorized as low glycemic brands. This means that the bar contains a wide variety of nutrients and is not overloaded with sugars or carbohydrates. There are also certain brands that have extra amounts of particular vitamins and minerals. For example, men who are interested in bodybuilding may select a bar that contains extra iron. Women who are postmenopausal may prefer a brand that contains additional calcium. A nutritionist can offer advice concerning which vitamins and minerals are best for one's age and gender.

Such snacks can be bought at traditional health food stores or online. However, it is always a good idea to compare several brands prior to making a final choice. Most shoppers are quite pleased to discover that it is easy to find healthy snack bars when a little time and effort is devoted to the task.




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