With so many high fiber bar options on the market, finding a snack that is both delicious and nutritious can be a challenge. While a claim of "good source of fiber" can seem like a no brainer, there may be other ingredients that make these products not so healthy.

Are Fiber One Bars Healthy? 

We should start by addressing the elephant in the room, the biggest fiber bar brand on the market: Fiber One. These bars are marketed as a healthy snack option for those looking for a high-fiber, low-calorie snack. Each bar contains around 9 grams of fiber and around 140 calories, making them seem like a good source of fiber with minimal impact on daily calorie intake. That's the whole story if you're only looking at the front of the packaging.

However, you have to turn it over and take a look at the nutrition facts and ingredients to really understand if they are healthy for you. The bars are made with around 22 different ingredients, including inflammatory oils, sugar alcohols, corn syrup, and preservatives.

While some of the ingredients like whole-grain oats and chicory root extract are beneficial for increasing fiber intake, the presence of corn syrup, sugar, maltodextrin and vegetable oils raises concerns about highly processed ingredients and added sugars.

In fact, Fiber Bars contain around 10 grams of sugar per serving (about 2 teaspoons), which is a lot for a snack labeled as "healthy." Additionally, they may contain artificial colors and flavors, which further detracts from their overall nutritional value.

Consuming foods and drinks high in sugar (without other stabilizing foods!) can lead to elevated blood glucose levels and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and increased body weight. The consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) found in many processed snacks, like Fiber One Bars, has been linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis and can promote glucose intolerance.

While Fiber Bars may be a convenient and tasty option for some, they should be consumed in moderation. There are much healthier alternatives that provide fiber and other beneficial nutrients, like a Resist bar, to consider -- those with natural ingredients and without added sugars or artificial flavors. 

Increasing fiber is amazing for your health, but be wary of the other ingredients on the label

Fiber bars can be a convenient and healthy snack option, especially for those trying increase fiber for their metabolic health, but it's important to always read the label. Despite their high fiber content, many of these bars contain artificial sweeteners, excessive amounts of sugar, and processed ingredients that can have negative effects on our health -- like digestive issues, blood sugar spikes, and an imbalance in our overall nutrient intake.

Try exploring snack options that prioritize whole, natural ingredients. By incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds into our diet, we can achieve a well-rounded and nourishing high-fiber snack that supports our overall health. 

We always recommend a well rounded meal or snack made of whole foods first, but we are here for you when you're in a pinch! Click here to learn more about Resist Bars.

Sources:

Fiber Bars: Nutrition, Benefits, Healthiest Bars - Healthline

Are Fiber One Bars Healthy (Nutrition Pros and Cons)? - Clean Eating Kitchen

Surprising Side Effects of Eating Too Much Fiber, Say Dietitians - Eat This Not That

What Is Fiber? Recommended Intake, Benefits, Deficiency, More - Everyday Health