Snack Bars

How to Pick the Right Nutrition Bar
Q: When I am on the go, nutrition bars are often the fastest, easiest things I can put my hands on. Is it okay for me to eat one as a healthy afternoon snack?
A: At the end of the day, it's your choice as to how you spend the number of calories you set aside for your snack, provided that number fits into your overall daily calorie allowance. There is no right or wrong answer on this, only different choices.
If you choose to go with an energy/nutrition bar, you have to be very discriminating. Usually, they have as many calories as a candy bar, if not more, and are loaded with high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, and cheap processed soy. Granted, all bars are not created equal. Some are organic, with whole grains and a low amount of natural sugars.
Of all the bars on the market, Clif, Kashi, Greens, Jay Robb, and Health Valley bars get the highest marks from me. So be sure to read your labels and choose wisely.

Skip Single-Serving Snack Packs

I love the idea of handy portion-controlled snacks -- I just can't stand 100-calorie packets of processed junk. Even healthy snacks that come in single-serving packages get a big thumbs-down from me, because the containers leach plastics into the foods, and more fossil fuel is used in the manufacture of the containers and in shipping. That doesn't mean I don't want you to be prepared when hunger hits; make your own single-serving snack packets in advance. Buy large containers of unsweetened applesauce or nonfat Greek yogurt and scoop the right amount into a reusable container. Get a large bag of baby carrots and measure out a half cup so you can snack on the go. And buy raw nuts in bulk, then divide them up — just pay super-close attention to the portion size you pack because while nuts are healthy, they're very high in calories.