4 Snack Bars That Actually Deserve to Be Called Healthy
Alton Brown's granola bars seem to have every wholesome food on the face of this planet: Old-fashioned Oats? Check. Wheat Germ? Check. Almonds? Check. Yet they manage to prove a granola bar can be fun and flavorful and not the same old snoozefest.
These bars are packed with powerhouse sources of protein: Tofu, eggs, peanut butter and soy protein powder all make appearances and add up to a total of 8 grams of protein per 167-calorie square. Dried super fruits like cherries and blueberries add an antioxidant punch and there's a hint of sweetness from unfiltered apple juice.
Whereas most energy bars will "fuel" you with a host of sugar-coated ingredients no normal person can pronounce, these ones bring things back to basics with a simple mix of oats, dried fruit and nuts -- all sweetened with maple syrup and dates.
One last case for making your own snack bars: Here, bran cereal and oats get a gourmet makeover with dried figs, walnuts, and a bit of spice from cinnamon and ginger. Healthy fiber has never tasted so great. Plus, the bars only take 20 minutes to bake, so you might as well make a double batch: They can keep in the freezer for up to three months.