On a long nature hike, you probably wouldn’t reach for a candy bar for an energy boost, but many granola bars pack a similar amount of fat and sugar. For a healthy snack, your best bet is making your own granola bars: It’s easy, cost-effective and customizable. Try out our recipe, below, with your favorite ingredients.
If you’re in a crunch for a bar, though, there are few grocery store picks that make the health cut with generous servings of fiber and protein without tons of sugar.
Planters NUTrition Digestive Health Bar
160 calories, 9 g fat, 5 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 4 g protein
This nutty pick offers 20% of your daily fiber intake.
Nature’s Path Organic Apple Pie Chia Seed Plus
190 calories, 8 g fat, 3 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 3 g protein
Get a sweet crunch without too much sugar in this tasty bar.
Cascadian Farms Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
80 calories, 3 g fat, 3 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 1 g protein
Choose these lighter bars for a quick, fiber-filled snack.
Kashi Trail Mix Bar 
140 calories, 5 g fat, 4 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 6 g protein
Not too sweet and perfect for a hike.
Nature Valley Peanut, Almond &
Dark Chocolate Flavored Protein Bar
190 calories, 12 g fat, 5 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 10 g protein
For serious hunger, grab one of these protein-packed bars.
OR MAKE YOUR OWN!
- 3 cups of rolled oats (not instant oats)
- ½ cup of canola oil
- ¼ cup of honey
- ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce
- 1½ cup of a combination of chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit and seeds
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine wet ingredients with oats and stir to coat well. Stir in your desired add-ins.
2. Lightly grease a 9-in. x 13-in. baking dish. Press the mixture into the dish, making sure it’s a uniform thickness. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Allow it to cool completely before cutting out about 16 bars.
Estimated calorie count: 200
