Are Fiber One Bars Healthy (Nutrition Pros and Cons)?
In this blog post, I’ll review the question of whether Fiber One Bars are healthy or not? Find out what the nutrition pros and cons of this product are, plus some potential healthier options to consider.
Fiber One Bar Facts
Fiber One bars are granola bars in a variety of flavors made by General Mills. They are marketed as a healthy snack option for people looking for a high-fiber, low-calorie snack. Each bar contains 6 grams of fiber and 70 calories.
The bars are made with a variety of ingredients, including whole-grain oats, chicory root extract, corn syrup, and vegetable oils. They are marketed as healthy fiber snacks.
A single Fiber One bar contains:
- 70 calories
- 17 carbohydrates
- 6 grams of fiber
- 4 grams of protein
- 4% of the daily value of iron
Fiber One Bar Ingredients
Here are some of the main ingredients of Fiber One Bars so you can decide if they are healthy or not for you. Some types of Fiber One Bars may have different ingredients including natural flavor, soy lecithin, canola oil, and others.
You’ll need to read the exact ingredient label of the flavor and type of Fiber One bars you are considering. But, here are some commonly used ingredients. in the formulation.
Chicory Root Extract
Chicory root extract is a soluble fiber that is extracted from the chicory root.
It is often used as a dietary supplement or as an ingredient in food products.
Soy Protein Isolate
Soy protein isolate is a protein that is isolated from soybeans.
It is often used as a dietary supplement or as an ingredient in food products and is considered a highly processed soy product (read more about the potential dangers of consuming processed soy).
Puffed Durum Wheat
Puffed durum wheat is a type of wheat that has been puffed or popped. It is often used as an ingredient in cereal and granola products.
Rice Flour
Rice flour is a type of flour that is made from finely milled rice. It is often used as an ingredient in gluten-free products.
Erythritol
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is often used as a sweetener.
It is found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, but it can also be produced synthetically. It is part of a class of sweeteners known as sugar alcohols. It may cause digestive distress as a side effect of the digestive system in some people.
Erythritol is likely not as dangerous as artificial sweeteners and it helps keep down the overall amount of added grams of sugar.
Read more about the best natural sweeteners.
Polydextrose
Polydextrose is a synthetic polymer of glucose that is often used as a food additive.
Palm Kernel
Palm kernel oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the kernels of palm trees. It is often used as an ingredient in processed foods.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the fruit of palm trees. It is often used as an ingredient in processed foods.
Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is a sweetener made from corn starch. It is often used in processed foods and is made by breaking down corn starch into glucose.
Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey protein concentrate is a type of dairy-based protein that is isolated from whey.
Whey is the liquid that is left over after cow’s milk has been curdled and strained. Whey protein concentrate is often used as a dietary supplement or as an ingredient in food products.
Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is a type of glycerol that is made from vegetable fats. It is a thick, clear liquid that has a sweet taste and is often used in processed foods.
Whole Grain Oats
Whole-grain oats are oats that have not been processed. They still contain the bran and germ of the oat, which makes them a more nutritious option than refined oats.
Oats are whole grains that help increase the fiber content of Fiber One Bars. Fiber from oats and other whole grains may have health benefits such as aiding in weight loss, reducing cholesterol levels, reducing insulin resistance, balancing blood sugar levels, aiding digestive health, and preventing heart disease.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide that is used as a food additive. It is made from starch and is often used to thicken or stabilize food products.
Nutrition Pros
Fiber One bars are a decent source of fiber. They are also low in calories and fat.
As an office snack, they are portable and have a sweet taste. They are more nutritious than a candy bar, but that’s not saying much.
Nutrition Cons
Fiber One bars contain many highly processed ingredients including corn syrup and maltodextrin.
They also contain wheat, peanut, soy, and milk ingredients which makes them unsuitable for people who are allergic or have food sensitivities to peanuts, soy, dairy, or gluten.
In short, most of the ingredients in Fiber One Bars are processed and some of the ingredients are highly processed.
Don’t Miss These Healthy Snack Resources
Fiber One Nutrition FAQs
Fiber One bars are often marketed as a healthy snack option, but the truth is that they are made with ingredients like soy isolates and maltodextrin, which are highly processed and not particularly nutritious.
In addition, Fiber One bars are high in sugar and calories, which can negate any benefits from the fiber they contain. You may also want to check out my Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar review.
If you’re looking for a healthy snack option, making your own fiber bar at home using non-processed ingredients is better. You’ll have control over the ingredients and be able to adapt them to your needs, whether that be gluten-free, nut-free, or even dairy-free.
Or, better yet, choose other whole foods such as overnight oats, apples, or any of my list of the best sugar-free jerkies. See my complete list of the best clean homemade snacks.
Most people need at least 25-30 grams of fiber a day, so a Fiber One bar does not provide enough of the daily value of fiber a day for most people. Try to eat as many whole food ingredients within a balanced diet to get as much fiber as needed for your situation.
Conclusions
Overall, fiber one bars are not considered healthy due to some of their highly processed ingredients. However, they are a good source of fiber. If you’re looking for a healthy snack option, making your own fiber bars at home using non-processed ingredients is better.
More Snack Product Reviews
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations related to your individual situation.
