How healthy is granola bar?
Is granola bar healthy? It can fit a healthy diet in small amounts. Granola bar scores 17/100 on the HowHealthyIs Score: 100 g provides 471 kcal, 97 mg magnesium and 10 g protein. Hard granola bars contain oats but are usually bound with sugar and oil, so they are closer to a cookie than a bowl of oats. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
Score explained
The score compares nutrient density per 100 kcal across every food we cover (NRF9.3 method). Granola bar ranks higher than 17% of them.
Counts in favor (% daily value per 100 kcal)
- Magnesium5%
- Protein4%
- Fiber4%
- Iron3%
- Vitamin E3%
- Potassium2%
- Calcium1%
- Vitamin C0%
- Vitamin A0%
Counts against
- Saturated fat3%
- Added sugars8%
- Sodium3%
Raw NRF9.3: 22 minus 14 = 9. The score is not a verdict on whether to eat a food; portion, the whole meal and your own health matter more. Full methodology
How many calories are in granola bar?
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per portion | %DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy and macronutrients | |||
| Calories | 471 kcal | 118 kcal | |
| Protein | 10 g | 2.5 g | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g | 16 g | 6% |
| Fiber | 5.3 g | 1.3 g | 5% |
| Sugars | 29 g | 7.1 g | |
| Added sugars | 20 g | 5 g | 10% |
| Fat | 20 g | 5 g | 6% |
| Saturated fat | 2.4 g | 0.6 g | 3% |
| Vitamins | |||
| Vitamin A | 2 µg | 0.5 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.9 mg | 0.2 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 2.1 mg | 0.5 mg | 3% |
| Minerals | |||
| Calcium | 61 mg | 15 mg | 1% |
| Iron | 3 mg | 0.7 mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 336 mg | 84 mg | 2% |
| Magnesium | 97 mg | 24 mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 294 mg | 74 mg | 3% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, "Snacks, granola bars, hard, plain" (FDC 167542). Values rounded.
Why is granola bar good for you?
A typical portion does not supply 10% or more of the daily value for any of the nine nutrients we score.
Good ways to use it
- A portable snack in a pinch
- Choosing bars with nuts and less sugar
What should you watch out for?
- Check the label: many bars have as much added sugar as a candy bar.
What can you eat instead of granola bar?
Foods you can use the same way with a higher HowHealthyIs Score.