8 Healthy Breakfast Bars to Keep You, Full

Breakfast bars are the perfect way to make breakfast more convenient, especially when you don’t have time to cook or you want something different than your usual bowl of cereal and milk. They’re easy to grab and go on busy mornings, and they’re also great when you need an extra boost of energy before heading out to work or playing an intense game with friends or family members. Try one of these eight healthy breakfast bars for a tasty on-the-go treat!

1) Name (Brand)

Health Valley Organic Peanut Crunch Bar (24 grams of whole grains, 8 grams of protein, 2 grams of fibre) Pros: It’s high in fibre and protein and low in sodium. Cons: The list of ingredients includes artificial colours and flavours, corn syrup solids, caramel colour and yellow 5. Plus, it contains a lot of sugar at 18 grams per bar.

2) Net Carbs

Net carb is a term you may see on a lot of packaged foods. It refers to carbs minus fibre, which is indigestible and so doesn’t impact your blood sugar levels. Net carbs also take into account what fibre can be digested by your body and absorbed as sugar. Eat too many net carbs, and you could over-consume calories without feeling full.

3) Ingredients

Here are some easy and delicious recipes for breakfast bars that will keep you full throughout your morning: Almond-Cranberry Bar: 1⁄2 cup brown sugar, 1⁄4 cup butter or margarine, 1 egg, 1⁄3 cup flour, 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder, 1⁄4 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup dried cranberries and 2⁄3 cup sliced almonds.

4) Calories

Diet isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Most traditional diets are geared toward those looking to lose weight, but people with different goals—bodybuilding, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, weight loss maintenance—often have unique nutrition needs. For example, strength athletes may need more calories than a sedentary person to gain muscle and avoid losing it again, while someone trying to drop pounds may need fewer.

5) Fiber

Fibre is a macronutrient that’s often overlooked—the average American eats just 15 grams of fibre per day, according to Healthline. On top of fibre’s critical role in gut health and keeping your digestive system running smoothly, it also helps you feel full, which helps minimize snacking later on. Choose low-fat yogurt as your snack—the protein will slow digestion and keep blood sugar steady as you work through lunch.

6) Protein

Eating a little bit of protein with breakfast helps keep you full, and it can make your breakfast last longer. Try adding Greek yogurt, nuts, or dried fruit to your cereal or oatmeal. If you’re going to make a protein-packed smoothie, add peanut butter or other nut butter as well. These foods will help slow down digestion and leave you feeling full for hours after eating breakfast.

7) Sugar Per Bar

A High Fructose-to-Fiber Ratio Leads to a Quick Sugar Rush: Try looking for bars with less than 7 grams of sugar per bar and try not to go above 10 grams of fibre. This will give you a slow, steady release of energy so you can make it through your morning. Those that are lower in protein are best; they should have no more than 4 grams per bar.

8) Servings Per Pack

To find out how many servings are in a package, look at a nutrition label. It will tell you how many servings are in a package, as well as other important information. Keep that number in mind when you’re shopping and comparing products. To get an even better idea of what you’re buying, it can be useful to compare product labels side-by-side using resources like My Fitness Pal or Google Images for product shots of major brands.

9) Homemade baked oatmeal bars

Mix 3⁄4 cup oats, 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Set aside. In another bowl, combine 1 large egg with 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey and whisk until frothy. Add in 1⁄3 cup chopped nuts and any dried fruit of your choice—I like raisins, dried cranberries, cherries or apricots—and stir. Combine both bowls until mixed well and scoop into a greased 8x4-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes; once cooled top with Greek yogurt mixed with 1 tablespoon brown sugar or drizzle with honey for a sweeter treat. (Check out more recipes.)