What Makes One Granola Bar Better Than Another?

Walk down any granola-bar aisle at the grocery store, and you'll be greeted by a wall of choices. There are dozens of different bars to choose from, which might include cereal versions or traditional backpacking concoctions. Most consumers don't taste every granola bar to make a distinction between each brand so you might wonder about the differences. Take a moment to compare granola snacks and how one is better than another. There are key differences when you pay close attention.

The Main Components

Granola bars are all made with slightly different ingredients. The "granola" part isn't universal, and most manufacturers use their own proprietary mixtures. Toasted oats, puffed rice and rolled oats are just a few of the ingredients making up the bulk of a bar's volume. A better bar tends to have more natural ingredients. You may even come across a bar that has mostly cereal as its main ingredient. Read over the granola ingredients, and look for basic oats, rice and similar grains. If you encounter many chemical-like ingredients, these bars are the ones that aren't very good for your body. 

Fiber Considerations

For most older adults, eating food with ample fiber is a daily goal. Fiber maintains a healthy digestive system while helping you feel full along with protein. Preferable, granola bars have dates, seeds, oats and nuts within their ingredients so that your body can experience the helpful side of this nutrient. You may need to research fiber-rich foods so that the bar's ingredient list makes sense as you read it in the grocery store.

Be aware, however, that most bars don't have a lot of fiber. You'll still need to supplement your intake with other foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Twenty to 30 grams of fiber are recommended by the federal government with current studies in place.

Fatty Ingredients

Granola snacks are almost always touted as the healthiest items that you can eat in the morning or mid-afternoon. This claim, however, isn't always true. Sugars may take up the bulk of the bar's volume, which negates any healthy aspect to the snack. High-fructose corn syrup and its derivatives are often the culprits for excess sugar amounts. Your bar will have some sugars, but look for this ingredient listed near the end of the product's list. An ingredient that's listed far from the beginning is in short supply. Pick natural sugars too instead of synthetic or processed sweeteners. Your body will digest the natural items with ease.

Protein Sources

A better bar also has ample protein. Explore the ingredient list for soy, gelatin or eggs. There might be other protein sources, including nuts and seeds. It takes the body a longer time to digest proteins compared to other foods. With this fact in mind, you'll simply feel fuller for longer by consuming more protein. This substance also helps your muscle mass, especially as you grow into your retirement years. You want strong muscles to support your bones so that physical ailments, such as posture issues, don't become problems.

Fortified Ingredients

Look for bars that have some fortified ingredients. It's nearly impossible to fit most nutrients into the ingredients filling a simple bar. There's no space for the extra volume. Many manufacturers add vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to the bars as a marketing tactic, but the consumers win out in the end. Fortified bars tend to have better nutrient levels than standard granola so look for these products as a first choice.

Eating any food in moderation is your best bet for a long lifespan. Try a preferred granola bar once or twice a week, but then switch your snack to a fruit or protein-packed egg. By mixing up your food choices, the body won't get too much of either good or bad things. A balanced diet leads to a long and fruitful retirement.