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.

Colon Cancer: What You Need to Know

Colon cancer is a preventable and curable disease. Healthy lifestyle choices and early detection help people diminish the risk for experiencing the ravages of this life-threatening cancer.

Colon cancer is the fourth-most common type of the disease in the country. Approximately 140,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Although, the disease is often deadly because it is diagnosed during its later stages, colon cancer is preventable and curable. While it is the second-leading cause of cancer death, the morbidity rate for colon cancer has been dropping in recent years because of proper screening and healthy lifestyle changes. The following are some essential things that you need to know about colon cancer.

Risk Factors for Colon Cancer

Certain demographics like advanced age and gender play a strong role in your risk for developing colon cancer. Men have a higher risk than women do. In addition to a family history of cancer, other risk factors include ulcerative colitis, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. The consumption of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs) in prepared foods as well as red and processed meats, which are typically preserved with nitrates, also increases the risks for developing the disease.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

The most readily identifiable symptoms include changes in bowel habits. These include diarrhea, constipation or the sensation that your bowel is not emptying completely. Your stool may be narrower than usual. You may also notice blood in your stool as well. Colon cancer sufferers may experience frequent gas pains, cramps and bloating as well as vomiting, persistent tiredness and unexplained weight loss.

How Is Colon Cancer Diagnosed

Risk factors and your medical history will determine how often and at what age you should be screened for the disorder. For most patients, doctors recommend that the screening process begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend earlier screenings if your risk factors warrant it. How frequently you are screened depend on the type of tests used and the results. During a colonoscopy, a physician inserts a small camera mounted to a flexible tube that allows the inspection of the entire colon and rectum. A sigmoidoscopy facilitates the examination of a portion of the colon and rectum. In addition to a fecal occult blood test, your doctor may recommend a double-contrast barium enema or a CT colonography to detect the presence of precancerous polyps or cancer.

Treatment Options

Surgery to remove cancerous tissue or precancerous polyps is the most common treatment for colon cancer. Depending upon the location and the stage of the disease, a different surgical approach may be utilized. Your doctor may also recommend radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Ways to Prevent Colon Cancer

Several lifestyle choices can lower your potential of developing colon cancer. Choose to eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetable and dietary fiber. Avoid PHVOs, and reduce the consumption of red and processed meat. If you use tobacco products, ask your physician for recommendations on a cessation program. You should also avoid excess alcohol intake. It is recommended that you exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. You can lower your risk of cancer by shedding excess pounds, especially belly fat. Studies have also shown that a daily low-dose aspirin may reduce your risk of colon cancer.

If you are age 50 or older, you should ask your doctor about screening for colon cancer. You should also seek medical treatment if you notice any of the symptoms persist for longer than a week. The earlier that cancer is detected, the more favorable the treatment outcome. Healthy lifestyle choices can prevent cancer and increase your quality of life.