It’s straightforward to get within the behavior of grabbing a snack bar after a exercise or once you want a pick-me-up. However which of them do you have to decide? Many make claims about their healthful components, however it’s price digging a bit deeper to search out the type that’s best for you.
Generally a bar’s advertising and marketing can provide you a clue about its components, so learn these ingredient labels.
If the label claims to present you power, look ahead to larger calorie ranges and caffeine. If it says “low in sugar” or “no added sugar,” search for sugar alcohols resembling erythritol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, isomalt, lactitol, mannitol, maltitol, sorbitol or xylitol.
Though these sweeteners are OK to eat in small doses, an excessive amount of can result in fuel, bloating and diarrhea.
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Examine the label of bars marketed pretty much as good sources of fiber, too. Greater than 3 to five grams of fiber in a serving may imply that chicory root has been added, and an excessive amount of chicory root might trigger gastrointestinal misery.
One solution to keep away from these bar-buying pitfalls is to make your individual Oatmeal Granola Bars. The oatmeal in these bars supplies pure fiber that may assist decrease your blood ldl cholesterol, handle your blood glucose degree and maintain you feeling full.
We lowered the sugar content material on this recipe through the use of a ripe banana for sweetness. The banana supplies some fiber together with a wholesome dose of potassium, a mineral that may assist counteract the results of sodium on blood strain. The nuts and egg present protein, making for a balanced snack.
To alter the flavour of bars, you possibly can substitute the pecans with walnuts or almonds. Attempt different fruits like diced dried mango or apricots as a substitute of the dried cranberries. You’ll be able to even give your bars a tropical or nutty twist by exchanging the vanilla extract for coconut or almond flavoring.
These bars journey effectively and stay recent tasting for days. Whether or not you’re packing lunches, bringing snacks to sports activities apply or craving a fast deal with, these bars match the invoice.
Bethany Thayer is a registered dietitian nutritionist with Henry Ford Well being System. For extra recipes and well being info, go to henryford.com/weblog and for questions on at this time’s recipe e-mail HenryFordLiveWell@hfhs.org.
Skinny Oatmeal Bars
Makes: 15 bars / Prep time: quarter-hour / Complete time: 45 minutes
Vegetable oil cooking spray
2 cups old style rolled oats
¾ cup low-fat granola
3 tablespoons white whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon floor cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 medium ripe banana, mashed
½ cup skim milk
½ cup darkish brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup dried cranberries
¾ cup pecan halves, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 levels.
Coat a 13-by-9-inch pan with cooking spray; put aside.
In a big bowl, mix oats, granola, flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Mash banana in a separate bowl; whisk in milk, brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Fold in cranberries and pecans. Mix dry and moist components.
Press combination evenly into the ready pan and bake 25 to half-hour, or till flippantly brown. Take away from oven, permit to chill and minimize into 15 bars.
From Henry Ford LiveWell.
166 energy (27% from fats), 5 grams fats (0.5 grams sat. fats), 29 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams protein, 175 mg sodium, 14 mg ldl cholesterol, 37 mg calcium, 3 grams fiber. Meals exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fats.
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