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Cereal Bars

  • 09-02-2012 7:49pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 1,995 ✭✭✭lc180


    Hi

    I'm looking for a healthy snack I can eat at work. I'm not interested in nuts n' seeds, yoghurt or fruit so I'm looking for a healthy range of cereal bars.
    There is quite a few brands on the market, and some really good deals but I'm very skeptical that some of them are actually not any healthier than eating a snickers bar.

    Can anyone make a recommendation? preferably low in calories, good fibre levels and doesn't taste like a cardboard box!

    Cheers!
    Tagged:


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 2,462 ✭✭✭Orla K


    I can't think of any cereal bars that are healthy, they have a load of sugar in them and probably hydrogenated vegetable oil.

    You might be better off making your own if you can, I can post a link to one if you want.

    Or if it's any healthy snack your after and not dead set on cereal bars you could try crispy kale, I'm making some tonight but I've also seen a packet of it in the health food shop. Also curly kale is only 99c in lidl for a huge bag!


  • Registered Users Posts: 159 ✭✭mcballer


    Sorry for jumping in on thread...how do u make the crispy kale Orla k?? :-)


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,952 ✭✭✭rocky


    lc180 wrote: »
    Hi

    I'm looking for a healthy snack I can eat at work. I'm not interested in nuts n' seeds, yoghurt or fruit so I'm looking for a healthy range of cereal bars.
    There is quite a few brands on the market, and some really good deals but I'm very skeptical that some of them are actually not any healthier than eating a snickers bar.

    Can anyone make a recommendation? preferably low in calories, good fibre levels and doesn't taste like a cardboard box!

    Cheers!

    Take that back ! :p

    I would say snickers is much healthier for lots of people than any cereal bars for the simple reason that it is (or was until 2010) gluten free. Plus it has the nuts that everybody likes to say contain healthy fats. Higher in protein? mmm snickers is quite healthy... why did I have to kick the habit now :(


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,462 ✭✭✭Orla K


    mcballer wrote: »
    Sorry for jumping in on thread...how do u make the crispy kale Orla k?? :-)

    Loads of them online, like this one all the same really except different flavours


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,394 ✭✭✭Transform


    The wife made those and they are amazing.

    Re bars = quest bars or home made Paleo bars ftw


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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Politics Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 81,310 CMod ✭✭✭✭coffee_cake


    home made is probably your only chance

    at this stage personally im just going to start carrying around boiled chicken in tinfoil... :(


  • Registered Users Posts: 555 ✭✭✭Beaver1


    is there any low carb bars or biscuits any could recommend


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,952 ✭✭✭rocky


    cauliflower biscuits :)

    Sorry, low carb biscuits? does that not .. .defeat the purpose of biscuits?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,920 ✭✭✭✭Gummy Panda


    Beaver1 wrote: »
    is there any low carb bars or biscuits any could recommend

    Quest bars

    Get then from discountsupplements.ie, predatornutrition.co.uk or iherb.com


  • Registered Users Posts: 555 ✭✭✭Beaver1


    rocky wrote: »
    cauliflower biscuits :)

    Sorry, low carb biscuits? does that not .. .defeat the purpose of biscuits?


    Im new to carbs and trying to lose weight, is there nnything nice thats low carb lol, does anyone have a receit for low card cake or homemade biscuits, I miss my snacks, lol


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  • Registered Users Posts: 555 ✭✭✭Beaver1


    Quest bars

    Get then from discountsupplements.ie, predatornutrition.co.uk or iherb.com


    thanks for that but they are too expensive,


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Politics Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 81,310 CMod ✭✭✭✭coffee_cake


    Beaver1 wrote: »
    Im new to carbs and trying to lose weight, is there nnything nice thats low carb lol, does anyone have a receit for low card cake or homemade biscuits, I miss my snacks, lol

    cottage cheese and sugar free jelly to make a cheesecake without the base


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,394 ✭✭✭Transform


    Beaver1 wrote: »
    thanks for that but they are too expensive,
    Make them so


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭messrs


    im doing weight watchers and i eat the rice crispie bars or the weetabix bars, very tasty esp the strawberry one! and they are 2 pro points each


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,462 ✭✭✭Orla K


    messrs wrote: »
    im doing weight watchers and i eat the rice crispie bars or the weetabix bars, very tasty esp the strawberry one! and they are 2 pro points each

    I'm sorry but neither of those are healthy.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭messrs


    Orla K wrote: »
    I'm sorry but neither of those are healthy.


    Really? how bad are they? the are both under 100 calories and only 2 pro points so i though they were okay?!!:mad:


  • Posts: 50,630 ✭✭✭✭ Jared Jolly Tariff


    messrs wrote: »
    Really? how bad are they? the are both under 100 calories and only 2 pro points so i though they were okay?!!:mad:

    A spoon of sugar is fat free and only 16 calories. That doesn't make it healthy though :/


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,383 ✭✭✭emeraldstar


    messrs wrote: »
    Really? how bad are they? the are both under 100 calories and only 2 pro points so i though they were okay?!!:mad:
    Why do you think low calorie = healthy? Calories are a measure of energy, nothing else.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,952 ✭✭✭rocky


    I'm curious about people's definition of healthy food. Is it nutrient density per 100calories?

    Going with that, after you fill your daily nutrient needs and still have calories to spare, does it matter if you eat one <100 calories cereal bar if you like it?

    With nutrients it's not always the case that if a small amount is good, a huge amount is better. Hormesis in action :)


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Politics Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 81,310 CMod ✭✭✭✭coffee_cake


    pure sugar isn't "healthy"
    if you don't care about the effects and health etc and just want to count calories and don't feel like crap after eating it, go right ahead


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,952 ✭✭✭rocky


    I see, so now a cereal bar = "pure sugar".

    In the grand scheme of things, even pure sugar in moderation is not healthy or unhealthy, it just is.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,394 ✭✭✭Transform


    rocky wrote: »
    I see, so now a cereal bar = "pure sugar".

    In the grand scheme of things, even pure sugar in moderation is not healthy or unhealthy, it just is.
    In the grand scheme of things diabetes just is also so.

    Go read some of r lustig work please


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,952 ✭✭✭rocky


    I've seen Lustig's sugar presentation.

    And a little sugar does NOT cause diabetes. It's the excess calories that cause it. T2, that is. not carbs. not sugar.

    jeez


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,462 ✭✭✭Orla K


    rocky wrote: »
    I see, so now a cereal bar = "pure sugar".

    In the grand scheme of things, even pure sugar in moderation is not healthy or unhealthy, it just is.

    I've got a feeling you've no definition of healthy food, just food that you eat a little of or more of but for this thread the op wants something healthy so in order to actually respond to this we'll put a simple definition onto healthy food which is food beneficial to health. In this case all cereal bars I've seen have far too much sugar and little else which doesn't make them beneficial to health.

    And as for
    Going with that, after you fill your daily nutrient needs and still have calories to spare, does it matter if you eat one <100 calories cereal bar if you like it?
    sadly I don't know anyone that actually nutrient needs, let alone have afew extra calories, so why use up calories when you haven't gotten all you need from your food.
    For instance how many people in weightwatchers (using this as an example because it was already mentioned) don't get in enough omega 3 because you have to point the supplement but and no problem having a rice crispy bar or a curly wurly. (I should note I think the regular ww posters here have more sense, or at least I'm hoping they have)


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,952 ✭✭✭rocky


    Orla K wrote: »
    I've got a feeling you've no definition of healthy food, just food that you eat a little of or more of but for this thread the op wants something healthy so in order to actually respond to this we'll put a simple definition onto healthy food which is food beneficial to health. In this case all cereal bars I've seen have far too much sugar and little else which doesn't make them beneficial to health.

    Ok, is coconut oil beneficial to health?
    What about pastured butter? nuts?


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,462 ✭✭✭Orla K


    rocky wrote: »
    Ok, is coconut oil beneficial to health?
    What about pastured butter? nuts?

    Yes (although I don't like the taste of butter!)

    but for this argument I've here are some ingredients from bars(this might end up being a long post) some of which I've heard of some I haven't but I've seen all brands in shops.
    CRUST: WHOLE GRAIN OATS, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL WITH TBHQ FOR FRESHNESS, SOLUBLE CORN FIBER, WHEAT BRAN, CALCIUM CARBONATE, DEXTROSE, SALT, CELLULOSE, POTASSIUM BICARBONATE, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ACETATE (VITAMIN E), SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, WHEAT GLUTEN, CORNSTARCH, NONFAT MILK, NIACINAMIDE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, CARRAGEENAN, ZINC OXIDE, REDUCED IRON, GUAR GUM, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), FOLIC ACID. FILLING: INVERT SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, WATER, STRAWBERRY PUREE CONCENTRATE, GLYCERIN, SUGAR, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, ACAI PULP, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM ALGINATE, CITRIC ACID, DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, METHYLCELLULOSE, CARAMEL COLOR, MALIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, RED #40, MOLASSES, PRUNE JUICE CONCENTRATE.
    on a bit of a side note wtf is 'reduced iron'?
    glucose syrup
    peanuts
    whole oat flakes
    vegetable fat
    sweetened condensed skimmed milk
    maize
    rice flour
    sugar
    humectant (glycerol)
    hydrogenated vegetable fat
    wholemeal wheat flour
    hazelnuts
    malted wheat flour
    salt
    whey powder
    emulsifiers (soya lecithin, E471)
    barley malt extract
    vegetable oil
    whole grain oats, sugar, canola oil, yellow corn flour, honey, soy flour, brown sugar, salt, lecithin, baking soda, natural flavor
    Wholegrain Cereals (34%) (British Cereals (Oat Flakes (5%), Wheat Flakes, Barley Flakes, Oat Flour), Toasted Wheat Flakes (Wheat, Sugar, Barley Malt Syrup)), Dried Fruit & Nuts (29%) (Flaked & Chopped Almonds (10%), Sultanas (9%), Raisins (5%), Diced Apricot (3.5%), Desiccated Coconut (1.5%)), Glucose Syrup, Raw Cane Sugar, Vegetable Oil (Rapeseed Oil, Certified Sustainable Palm Oil), Honey, Rice Flour, Sunflower Seeds, Natural Flavouring.
    Cereals (36%) (Whole Oats, Rice, Whole Wheat), Prebiotic Oligofructose Syrup (30%), Dried Apple Pieces (5.7%) (with Preservative: Sulphur Dioxide), Sugar, Cereal Flours (Rice Flour, Wheat Flour), Dextrose, Humectant: Glycerol, Fruit Juice Concentrates (Grape, Strawberry (0.6%), Raspberry (0.5%)), Glucose Syrup, Vegetable Oil, Sweetened Cranberries (1.9%) (Cranberries, Sugar), Freeze Dried Raspberries (1.1%), Maize Starch, Milk Lactose, Milk Yogurt Powder, Natural Flavourings, Malted Barley Extract, Citric Acid, Elderberry Juice Extract, Salt, Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin, Acidity Regulator: Malic Acid, Antioxidant: Tocopherols.
    British Wholegrain Oat Flakes (46%), Raw Cane Sugar, Vegetable Oil (Rapeseed Oil, Certified Sustainable Palm Oil), Desiccated Coconut (8%), Honey, Wheat Bran, Sunflower Seeds, Chopped Almonds, Natural Flavouring.

    I couldn't find the info on some of the bars I tried to look up, but as for butter being in any of these, I haven't found it. Coconut oil, no but there is all of 8% deciccated coconut in the last one. Nuts fair better but in these bars I'd say healthy ingredients<not healthy ingredients. I didn't see the nakd bar website (almost clicked on something completely different!) maybe they might be better I don't know.

    But I still think your better off making your own, to the op, offer still stands if you want a recipe, I'm sure plenty of us have a link to some you might like to try.


  • Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭bkeano


    Try nature valley baRs only 3 weight watchers points.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,462 ✭✭✭Orla K


    bkeano wrote: »
    Try nature valley baRs only 3 weight watchers points.

    Again loads of sugar and little/nothing else that's healthy, also really dry. These bars just have good marketing and plenty of money behind them.
    I also think they do the calories/nutritional info per single bar rather than the two bars that come with it, could be wrong on this one.

    It's also one of the ones whose ingredients I posted.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,394 ✭✭✭Transform


    bkeano wrote: »
    Try nature valley baRs only 3 weight watchers points.
    Emm no a bloody terrible choice!!!


    People really need to learn to read food labels and then realise that there are very few foods you should eat that actually have a food label


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,934 ✭✭✭Dotcomdolly


    Orla K wrote: »
    bkeano wrote: »
    Try nature valley baRs only 3 weight watchers points.

    Again loads of sugar and little/nothing else that's healthy, also really dry.

    Ah you just need to wash them down with a big healthy glass of orange juice or diet coke ;)


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