Molly Kimball, RD WGNO News

7:34 a.m. CST, January 25, 2012

Granola bars and cereal bars seem like nutritious snacks, but unfortunately most brands on store shelves have far more sugar than protein.  A few new options have just hit stores, though, and here are a few of my favorites!

Until just recently, Snackwell’s Cereal Bars and a couple of Kashi’s TLC bars have been the only bars in grocery stores that have more protein than sugar.  Most granola bars & cereal bars have 10 to 15 grams of sugar or more, and a mere gram or two of protein – not good for keeping you feeling full for long.

Here’s a peak at the new bars that have recently hit store shelves:

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South Beach Meal Bars

$5.98 for box of 5 bars

The meal bars (available in chocolate and chocolate peanut butter) are 180 calories, 12 grams of protein and 8 grams of sugar.  South Beach also has a Protein Fit Cereal Bar option (available in chocolate, peanut butter, and cinnamon raisin).  If you grab these, you'll be getting 140 calories, 9 grams of protein and 8 grams of sugar. The South Beach Diet Bars don't have any artificial sweeteners, flavors or sugar alcohols.

 

Nature Valley Protein Bar

$2.98 for box of 5 bars

This option contains 190 calories, 10 grams of protein and 6 grams of sugar.  There is only one flavor so far, which is Peanut, Almond, & Dark Chocolate

Life Choice Protein Bar

$3.68 for box of 5 bars – only available at Walmart

Each Life Choice bar has 190 to 210 calories with 20 to 21 grams of protein and 7 grams of sugar.  They don't have any artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, and you can find flavors like Double Chocolate, Peanut Butter Extreme and Chocolate Mint.

Think Thin 

$16.90 for box of 10 bars

Think Thin bars have 230 calories, 20 grams of protein and 0 grams of sugar.  There are no artificial sweeteners or colors, and two new flavors include Cookies & Crème and Caramel Fudge (previously only available in smaller ‘Think Thin Bite’ bars).