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I hate to say it, but granola bars are kind of the ex-boyfriends of the snack world: They look great on the outside, but a lot of them kinda suck once you unwrap the package.
You deserve better, so skip the crap that's loaded with sugar, empty calories, and junk ingredients. “Choose a bar that adds value to your diet and contributes protein, fiber, whole grains, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, with as little processing as possible,” says nutritionist Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN author of Read It Before You Eat It.
Ideally, you want a bar that comes in around 150 to 200 calories and provides at least three grams of fiber, says Taub-Dix. (Bonus: Look for five to 10 grams of protein—more if you're grabbing a bar for your post-workout snack.)
If you find a bar that packs more than 10 grams of sugar, check the source. If it's all from fruit, you're in the clear. But if you see dextrose, maltose, organic cane juice, rice syrup, or other sneaky sugars on the label, skip it.
You’ll also want to avoid sugar alcohols, like maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol, says nutritionist Alissa Rumsey, RD, founder of Alissa Rumsey Nutrition and Wellness. Lots of people experience bloating and gas after eating these ingredients. (Fun?)
Most importantly, though, just find a bar you actually enjoy eating. “When you are satisfied with what you eat or snack on, you are less likely to overeat in the future and stay fuller longer,” Rumsey says.
Not sure where to start? These healthy granola bars are worthy of your grocery list.
1
Annie's Homegrown Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookie Granola Bars
1
Annie's Homegrown Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookie Granola Bars
Thesegluten-free bars taste as cozy as fresh-baked cookies, but come with less sugar and much more filling fiber and protein.
Per serving: 200 calories, 15 g fat (3 g sat fat), 140 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrates, 5 g sugar, 7 g fiber, 6 g protein
2
This Bar Saves Lives Madagascar Vanilla Almond and Hone Chewy Granola Bars
2
This Bar Saves Lives Madagascar Vanilla Almond and Hone Chewy Granola Bars
Made with vanilla, honey, almonds, and flaxseeds, these sweet-but-wholesome granola bars help send food to kids in need across the globe. Not that you needed the extra snacking incentive.
Per serving: 170 calories, 9 g fat (1 g sat fat), 85 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrates, 6 g sugar, 8 g fiber, 4 g protein
3
KIND Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Bars
3
KIND Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Bars
Get a coveted combo of sweet, salty, and chocolate-y in one bar. This one packs lots of healthy fats from almonds and peanuts, the first two ingredients.
Per serving: 200 calories, 15 g fat (3 g sat fat), 140 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrates, 5 g sugar, 7 g fiber, 6 g protein
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4
Phyter Apple Cinnamon Organic Plant-Based Bars
4
Phyter Apple Cinnamon Organic Plant-Based Bars
Made of mostly organic items, this gluten-free bar offers a short list of ingredients plus a helping of produce.
Per serving: 200 calories, 9 g fat (1 g sat fat), 10 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrates, 7 g sugar, 4 g fiber, 6 g protein
5
Health Warrior Acai Berry Chia Bars
5
Health Warrior Acai Berry Chia Bars
Go ahead and eat two of these if you're super-hungry.The chia seeds add a nice little crunch, while the berries offer a sweet flavor.
Per serving: 100 calories, 4.5 g fat (0.5 g sat fat), 45 mg sodium, 14 g carbohydrates, 3 g sugar, 5 g fiber, 3 g protein
6
RXBAR Peanut Butter & Berries Protein Bars
6
RXBAR Peanut Butter & Berries Protein Bars
Get your PB&J fix in one portable, chewy bar. While this one does have 15 grams of sugar, it all comes from dates and raspberries.
Per serving: 200 calories, 7 g fat (1 g sat fat), 135 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrates, 15 g sugar, 5 g fiber, 12 g protein
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7
Nature's Path Organic Chunky Choco Peanut Sunrise Breakfast Bars
7
Nature's Path Organic Chunky Choco Peanut Sunrise Breakfast Bars
Packed with 11 grams of whole grains, these chocolatey, gluten-freegranola bars are perfectly chewy and make for a great snack or meal on-the-go.
Per serving: 140 calories, 4.5 g fat (1 g sat fat), 110 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrates, 9 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein
8
Nature Valley Almond Crunch Roasted Nut Crunch Bars
8
Nature Valley Almond Crunch Roasted Nut Crunch Bars
Like trail mix all stuck together, these gluten-free bars have all the crunch you want in a simple, satisfying snack.
Per serving: 190 calories, 14 g fat (1.5 g sat fat), 160 mg sodium, 14 g carbohydrates, 7 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 6 g protein
9
Wella Bar Almond Sour Cherry Chilled Organic Protein Bars
9
Wella Bar Almond Sour Cherry Chilled Organic Protein Bars
Another organic snack jam-packed with nuts, the Wella bar also offers a hint of sweet from the cherries—a great ingredient to have after exercise.
Per serving: 200 calories, 13 g fat (2.5 g sat fat), 15 mg sodium, 15 g carbohydrates, 9 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 8 g protein
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10
Kashi GOLEAN Salted Dark Chocolate & Nuts Fiber and Protein Bars
10
Kashi GOLEAN Salted Dark Chocolate & Nuts Fiber and Protein Bars
Is there a better combo than nuts and chocolate? I think not. Turn to Kashi for a dark cocoa flavor you’ll love.
Per serving: 190 calories, 10 g fat (2 g sat fat), 115 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrates, 9 g sugar, 4 g fiber, 8 g protein
11
Annie's Homegrown Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Bars
11
Annie's Homegrown Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Bars
This organic bar might be made for kids, but adults will love it too. The cookie flavor satisfies your sweet tooth, while the protein and fiber fill you up.
Per serving: 170 calories, 9 g fat (2 g sat fat), 140 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrates, 8 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 4 g protein
12
KIND Chocolate Peanut Butter Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars
12
KIND Chocolate Peanut Butter Nut Butter Filled Snack Bars
There’s nothing like peanut or almond butter to crush any creamy craving. And these bars offer the delicious nut butter inside a chocolate package—all for under 10 grams of sugar.
Per serving: 170 calories, 8 g fat (2.5 g sat fat), 110 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrates, 10 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 6 g protein
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13
Junkless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bars
13
Junkless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bars
With just five grams per bar, these boast one of the lowest sugar counts on this list. Junkless bars taste like dessert, but without too much of the sweet stuff.
Per serving: 130 calories, 5 g fat (1 g sat fat), 85 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrates, 5 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein
14
Bob's Red Mill Peanut Butter Banana & Oats Bob's Better Bars
14
Bob's Red Mill Peanut Butter Banana & Oats Bob's Better Bars
These Bob’s Red Mill bars feature the whole-grain oats they're famous four, along with peanut butter and other flavors. Choose the banana (or apple spice) options for less sugar.
Per serving: 210 calories, 9 g fat (1.5 g sat fat), 100 mg sodium, 28 g carbohydrates, 10 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 7 g protein
15
LUNA Nutz Over Chocolate Whole Nutrition Bars
15
LUNA Nutz Over Chocolate Whole Nutrition Bars
The chocolate-peanut butter combo really just never gets old. These bars feature real chocolate on the bottom and a crispy, chewy, nutty layer on top.
Per serving: 200 calories, 8 g fat (2.5 g sat fat), 150 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrates, 8 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 8 g protein
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16
Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Superfood Bar
16
Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Superfood Bar
If you love Purely Elizabeth'sgranola, you’re in for a serious treat with these bars. They pack all the flavor into ready-to-eat snacks that arecrunchy and satisfying.
Per serving: 200 calories, 15 g fat (6 g sat fat), 150 mg sodium, 14 g carbohydrates, 7 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 5 g protein
Mallory Creveling
Deputy Editor, Health & Fitness
Mallory Creveling, an ACE-certified personal trainer and RRCA-certified run coach, joined the Runner's World and Bicycling team in August 2021. She has more than a decade of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition. As a freelance writer, her work appeared in Women's Health, Self, Men's Journal, Reader's Digest, and more. She has also held staff editorial positions at Family Circle and Shape magazines, as well as DailyBurn.com. A former New Yorker/Brooklynite, she's now based in Easton, PA.
