Granola Bars

Granola sounds really healthy, so a granola bar seems like a great snack to fuel kids on the go. But read the packages of some granola bars, and you’ll see chocolate chips, swirls of peanut butter, and caramel drizzles. The reality is that many granola bars today more closely resemble candy bars than health food. Most bars are loaded with added sugars, contain hydrogenated oils, and have very little whole grains, protein, or fiber in them. Instead of granola bars, try letting your child create his own trail mix with dried fruit, high-fiber whole grain cereal, and a sprinkling of nuts and dark chocolate bits. Here’s a tasty combination full of antioxidants and good fats to get you started: dried cranberries, whole wheat cereal squares, low fat granola cereal, almonds, and dark chocolate chunks.