How long does nutri grain bars last ?
Are Nutri-Grain Bars Actually Healthy?
Americans want their food healthy, convenient and delicious.
The demand for those three criteria has driven the explosive growth of breakfast, cereal and snack bars. A product sector which hardly existed a couple decades ago, such “healthy” bars now dominate entire aisles in many grocery stores.
One of the most popular options? Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Bars.
According to Statista, Americans bought over 190 million dollars worth of Nutri-Grain Bars in 2017. At a glance, they seem to meet the three coveted criteria of healthy, convenient and delicious. But they wouldn’t be the first bar to cover up for disappointing nutrition with slick marketing. Here’s the full story on this pantry and lunchbox staple.
Are Nutri-Grain Bars Healthy?
Photo via Kellogg’s.
The full name for Nutri-Grain Bars are Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars. Promoting the “Soft Baked” nature of the product was actually a major turning point in its success, as it emphasizes the healthy, wholesome nature of the product.
Taking a closer look at the packaging for Nutri-Grain bars, it’s usually plastered with phrases like “Made with Real Fruit,” “No High Fructose Corn Syrup,” and “Morning Energy with 8G Whole Grains.” Each Nutri-Grain variety is generally associated with some type of fruit, and the use of whole grains in the recipe is heavily emphasized.
Together, these factors are enough to convince a huge swath of consumers the product is healthy. But what do the nutrition facts and ingredients say?
The nutrition facts for one Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Soft Baked Strawberry Breakfast Bar are as follows:
130 calories 3.5 grams total fat .5 grams saturated fat 140mg sodium 25 grams total carbohydrate 1 gram fiber 12 grams sugar 2 grams protein.
The bar also includes 10% the recommended daily value of calcium, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and zinc. Other Nutri-Grain varieties have very similar nutrition facts.
The biggest red flag is the sugar content.
Nutri-Grain bars generally contain 11 or 12 grams of sugar per bar.
A lot of people would write the sugar off as being “from the fruit,” meaning it’s not as innutritious. While this is true for whole fruit, there’s really not much fruit in Nutri-Grain bars, and what is there is so nutritionally degraded during processing that it’s hard to consider it “fruit.” For example, the only ingredient you’ll find in a Strawberry Nutri-Grain bar that actually utilizes that particular fruit is Strawberry Puree Concentrate. This form lacks the fruit’s natural fiber and vitamin C content, which were destroyed during processing. While it’s more shelf-stable than real fruit, it’s really just another way to add sugar to a product.
In addition to fruit puree concentrates, Nutri-Grain bars are also stuffed with sweeteners like sugar, dextrose, fructose, invert sugar and corn syrup. All or nearly all the sugar in Nutri-Grain bars qualifies as “added sugar.”
Added sugars (defined as “sugars or caloric sweeteners added to foods or beverages during processing or preparation”) are perhaps the most harmful ingredient in the modern American diet, largely because we eat them in absurd quantities. The American Heart Association recommends women consume no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day while men should consume no more than 36 grams a day. Again, many Nutri-Grain bar varieties contain 12 grams of added sugar, or nearly half the daily limit for women. That’s not ideal.
The 1-2 grams of fiber in most bars is also somewhat disappointing. If added sugar is the ingredient Americans consume too much of, fiber might be the one thing they need more of (ideally in the form of fresh produce and whole grains). The AHA recommends at least 21-25 grams of fiber a day for women under 50 and 30-38 grams a day for men under 50.
Fiber helps break down foods for easier digestion, maintains good bowel health, lowers cholesterol levels and helps you feel fuller longer. High-fiber diets have been linked to positive outcomes such as a reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease. In the short term, snacking on a bar high in fiber keeps you fuller for longer and helps you avoid crashing. In the long term, it reduces your risk of many major diseases and supports good bowel health.
Though Nutri-Grain bars contain both fruit and whole grains, two food groups often high in fiber, those ingredients aren’t present in large enough amounts—or are too significantly degraded during processing—to make them a high-fiber snack.
Nutri-Grain bars don’t offer much in the way of protein, either. Protein helps build muscle and allows you to recover from exercise, but it can also help keep you full. With only small amounts of fiber and protein in each Nutri-Grain bar, they’re very unlikely to keep you satiated for long.
Nutri-Grain bars are high in added sugar while containing only middling amounts of fiber and protein. Quite honestly, that’s a terrible formula if you’re looking for a healthy, nutritious bar. And we haven’t even gotten into the large quantity of questionable ingredients included in the recipe of many Nutri-Grain bars. Ingredient Inspector has a phenomenal post on that very topic. And don’t believe the new Kids Nutri-Grain bites are much better—they’re essentially the same recipe.
Are Nutri-Grain bars healthier than candy bars? Generally, yes. But that’s not saying much.
If you’re used to grabbing one for breakfast, you’d be better off just eating an actual apple or banana, perhaps alongside some wheat toast. And if you’re used to grabbing one as a snack and love the convenience factor of pre-packaged bars, an RXBAR or Lärabar is likely a superior nutritional option.
Photo Credit: Kellogg’s.
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Are Nutri-Grain Bars Actually Healthy?
Americans want their food healthy, convenient and delicious.
The demand for those three criteria has driven the explosive growth of breakfast, cereal and snack bars. A product sector which hardly existed a couple decades ago, such “healthy” bars now dominate entire aisles in many grocery stores.
One of the most popular options? Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Bars.
According to Statista, Americans bought over 190 million dollars worth of Nutri-Grain Bars in 2017. At a glance, they seem to meet the three coveted criteria of healthy, convenient and delicious. But they wouldn’t be the first bar to cover up for disappointing nutrition with slick marketing. Here’s the full story on this pantry and lunchbox staple.
Are Nutri-Grain Bars Healthy?
Photo via Kellogg’s.
The full name for Nutri-Grain Bars are Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars. Promoting the “Soft Baked” nature of the product was actually a major turning point in its success, as it emphasizes the healthy, wholesome nature of the product.
Taking a closer look at the packaging for Nutri-Grain bars, it’s usually plastered with phrases like “Made with Real Fruit,” “No High Fructose Corn Syrup,” and “Morning Energy with 8G Whole Grains.” Each Nutri-Grain variety is generally associated with some type of fruit, and the use of whole grains in the recipe is heavily emphasized.
Together, these factors are enough to convince a huge swath of consumers the product is healthy. But what do the nutrition facts and ingredients say?
The nutrition facts for one Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Soft Baked Strawberry Breakfast Bar are as follows:
130 calories 3.5 grams total fat .5 grams saturated fat 140mg sodium 25 grams total carbohydrate 1 gram fiber 12 grams sugar 2 grams protein.
The bar also includes 10% the recommended daily value of calcium, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and zinc. Other Nutri-Grain varieties have very similar nutrition facts.
The biggest red flag is the sugar content.
Nutri-Grain bars generally contain 11 or 12 grams of sugar per bar.
A lot of people would write the sugar off as being “from the fruit,” meaning it’s not as innutritious. While this is true for whole fruit, there’s really not much fruit in Nutri-Grain bars, and what is there is so nutritionally degraded during processing that it’s hard to consider it “fruit.” For example, the only ingredient you’ll find in a Strawberry Nutri-Grain bar that actually utilizes that particular fruit is Strawberry Puree Concentrate. This form lacks the fruit’s natural fiber and vitamin C content, which were destroyed during processing. While it’s more shelf-stable than real fruit, it’s really just another way to add sugar to a product.
In addition to fruit puree concentrates, Nutri-Grain bars are also stuffed with sweeteners like sugar, dextrose, fructose, invert sugar and corn syrup. All or nearly all the sugar in Nutri-Grain bars qualifies as “added sugar.”
Added sugars (defined as “sugars or caloric sweeteners added to foods or beverages during processing or preparation”) are perhaps the most harmful ingredient in the modern American diet, largely because we eat them in absurd quantities. The American Heart Association recommends women consume no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day while men should consume no more than 36 grams a day. Again, many Nutri-Grain bar varieties contain 12 grams of added sugar, or nearly half the daily limit for women. That’s not ideal.
The 1-2 grams of fiber in most bars is also somewhat disappointing. If added sugar is the ingredient Americans consume too much of, fiber might be the one thing they need more of (ideally in the form of fresh produce and whole grains). The AHA recommends at least 21-25 grams of fiber a day for women under 50 and 30-38 grams a day for men under 50.
Fiber helps break down foods for easier digestion, maintains good bowel health, lowers cholesterol levels and helps you feel fuller longer. High-fiber diets have been linked to positive outcomes such as a reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease. In the short term, snacking on a bar high in fiber keeps you fuller for longer and helps you avoid crashing. In the long term, it reduces your risk of many major diseases and supports good bowel health.
Though Nutri-Grain bars contain both fruit and whole grains, two food groups often high in fiber, those ingredients aren’t present in large enough amounts—or are too significantly degraded during processing—to make them a high-fiber snack.
Nutri-Grain bars don’t offer much in the way of protein, either. Protein helps build muscle and allows you to recover from exercise, but it can also help keep you full. With only small amounts of fiber and protein in each Nutri-Grain bar, they’re very unlikely to keep you satiated for long.
Nutri-Grain bars are high in added sugar while containing only middling amounts of fiber and protein. Quite honestly, that’s a terrible formula if you’re looking for a healthy, nutritious bar. And we haven’t even gotten into the large quantity of questionable ingredients included in the recipe of many Nutri-Grain bars. Ingredient Inspector has a phenomenal post on that very topic. And don’t believe the new Kids Nutri-Grain bites are much better—they’re essentially the same recipe.
Are Nutri-Grain bars healthier than candy bars? Generally, yes. But that’s not saying much.
If you’re used to grabbing one for breakfast, you’d be better off just eating an actual apple or banana, perhaps alongside some wheat toast. And if you’re used to grabbing one as a snack and love the convenience factor of pre-packaged bars, an RXBAR or Lärabar is likely a superior nutritional option.
Are Nutri-Grain Bars Bad For You?
Jump to:
Short answer Long answer Side effects Ingredients Benefits Alternative.
Grade.
Short answer.
Nutri-grain bars are bad for you. While they do contain some vitamins and minerals and may help provide a short-term boost of energy, the harmful ingredients cancel out most of the potential health benefits.
Grade.
Letter Grade for Nutri-grain Bars.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'A'
A+
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
A.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
A-
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
B+
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
B.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
B-
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
C+
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
C.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
C-
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
D+
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
D.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
D-
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
F.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
N.
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer.
Most people grab Nutri-grain bars as a quick, on the go snack, something to eat at their desk, in class, or after working out. But, why is the question. Sure, they contain carbohydrates and protein that could boost energy and even some vitamins and minerals to replenish loss from activity, but most of these come from an enrichment process.
Enriched flour in the second ingredient in this food meaning it is the second largest in content. Flour is enriched essentially to replenish what is lost as the flour is processed. Fiber is one of the major losses during processing as the germ and bran are removed. The lack of fiber in these flours means that they cause a spike in blood sugar due to their high glycemic load. Eating a regular diet of high glycemic foods and low fiber can cause some health concerns including increased risk of heart disease, higher cholesterol levels ,and weight gain.
Other ingredients in the crust to be aware of include mono- and diglycerides, soy lecithin, and carrageenan. Mono- and diglycerides are essentially an artificial trans fat produced when processing oils which somehow by-pass the required trans fat labeling requirements. They are no better for you, though, it’s just a loophole in labeling. Trans fats also raise cholesterol and can lead to heart disease.
Soy lecithin, aside from typically being manufactured from GMO soy plants and being a common allergen, provides your body with excess estrogen. This estrogen can lead to cancer, weight gain, and infertility. There’s also the possibility of hexane remaining in this food product from the extraction process.
While carrageenan comes from the healthy food source seaweed, it is processed to the point of no remaining nutritional value. Your body also does not know how to digest it so once consumed, an inflammatory process begins leading to gastrointestinal issues like ulcers, bleeding, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer.
Many Nutri-grain bars claim to have a fruit filling which excites many and encourages one to try many flavors. The problem here is that not much of this filling is actually from fruit. Yes, there is some amount of fruit puree concentrate, but the rest is made up of various types of sugar, corn syrup, additives, artificial flavoring and food dye.
The filling is also doing its part in raising blood sugar levels with ingredients like invert sugar, corn syrup, the strawberry puree concentrate, sugar, and glycerin. Too much of these foods in your diet and you’re heading right down the road to diabetes. Along with corn syrup, there is modified corn starch both made by processing corn, a highly genetically modified food.
Food colorings can also have some terrible health effects. Caramel coloring, for example, is used in some of the Nutri-grain bars. Actually, caramel coloring is one of the most used artificial colorings in the world, not only in foods but for sodas, chocolate, bread, gravy, etc. Caramel coloring has been linked to high blood pressure, cancer, decreased immune system, and allergies. The strawberry filled Nutri-grain bars and a few other flavors contain Red 40 coloring as well. This is one of the food coloring additives that has been linked not only to cancer, but allergies, hyperactivity, learning impairments, irritability, and aggressiveness.