Snack Bars Or Energy Bars?

Kitty Finklea, R.D.

For breakfast, for an after school snack, or for a pre-practice source of energy, snack bars can be great.

Notice we said "can." We're going to help you get the most out of your calories -- for growing, working, thinking bodies like yours.

For the most part, you don't have to pay all that money for energy bars. The term, in fact, is a little misleading. (Besides that fact that energy bars are expensive, some have too many calories and some taste like medicine.) Everything you eat supplies energy -- including the other, less expensive snack bars.

Key word: cereal bar. We think the lower fat cereal bars, at least for the most part, are your best choice all the way around. Here's why:

• They generally are fortified with nutrients you need for awesome health, including calcium.
• The protein content is generally very good.
• They don't load you up with too many calories.
• Mom will think they're great, too (not only for your health, but also for her grocery budget).

What about granola bars? Granola bars have the fewest nutrients, and many are fairly high in sugar. They're more like a candy bar -- and often don't give you that energy staying power that helps your muscles and brain work longer, better and faster.

Check it out for yourself in our comparison chart:

Type of Bar	Cal	Carb	Sugar	Protein	Fat	Fiber	Vitamin/Minerals
Granola Bars	90-130	10-25 g	6-10 g	1-2	3-5 g	0-1 g	Not listed / minimal
Cereal Bars	130-190	13-27 g	12-15 g	1-3 g	2-5 g	0-1 g	Up to 25 percent
Energy Bars	130-320	15-45 g	0-25 g	4-32 g	0-12 g	0-5 g	0-100 percent

** 5 grams of sugar = 1 teaspoon of sugar

THE FACTS:

Calories: A snack is usually around 100-200 calories -- if you eat 300 calories or more, it's more like a small meal.

Carbohydrate: Carbohydrate is the main fuel for working muscles to play or work and usually 15-30 grams can hold you until the next meal.

Sugar: Watch out for high sugar content, which only contributes excess calories. Keep sugar content around 10 grams or less.

Protein and Fiber: If a bar has more than 4 or 5 grams of protein and/or greater than 3 grams of fiber, you'll stay full longer which is good if you need wait around 2 hours before eating again.