I'm an on-the-go sorta woman. When I'm in a rush, I'm always jonesin' for great snacks to grab on my way out the door. That's where high-fiber snack bars come in. Helloooo awesomeness! Fiber fills you up, aids with digestion, and with summer rapidly approaching, could be just the golden ticket you need to help beat the bloat.
So what are some of the best options on the market? Not to worry, your friends here at The Stir tried out nine of today's top brands. The big question: If something's high in fiber, does that mean it can taste good too? We had faith!
From Fiber One and Kashi to Luna and Kind bars — check out which bars came out on top in our taste test, here:
Image via Emily Abbate
Fiber One Chewy Bars: Oats & Caramel
Calories: 140
Fat: 3.5 grams
Dietary Fiber: 9 grams
In my mind, Fiber One was the original gangsta of fiber bars. In my mind, their chocolate & oats bar will forever be a classic. Testers agreed that Fiber One is a brand they see and purchase most often in stores. Taste-wise, our testers agreed the bar was definitely super sweet. One went as far as to call it "overly sweet," with hints of vanilla.
Kashi GoLean Crunchy! Chocolate Caramel
Calories: 150
Fat: 3 grams
Dietary Fiber: 6 grams
Hand me a larger-sized bar, and I'm usually a fan. More food, more fun — right? Unfortunately, that wasn't the case with the Kashi GoLean Crunchy! bars. "What is this massive cardboard-y piece?" one tester wrote. While the chocolate coating on the bottom of the bar was a plus, the bar itself wasn't a crowd favorite. "If you're into that distinctive Kashi oat taste," one tester wrote, "then this is for you."
Luna Fiber: Peanut Butter Strawberry
Calories: 120
Fat: 4 grams
Dietary Fiber: 7 grams
Luna recently launched this new line of fiber bars (which also includes Blueberry Vanilla and Chocolate Raspberry) and I've got to say, I'm a fan. While the texture was a bit mushy, the amount of fiber it packs for its small size is pretty impressive. Other thoughts from our tasters were that it tasted "kind of bland" and had a very "peanut butter-y after taste."
Kashi GoLean: Peanut Butter & Chocolate
Calories: 140
Total fat: 5 grams
Dietary Fiber: 5 grams
I had high hopes for Kashi's Peanut Butter & Chocolate GoLean bars, I did. Mostly because at first glance, they look a whole lot like a routine candy bar. Chocolate + peanut butter = what's not to like?
However, one of our testers said there was "something funky in there." Another one claimed the bar "lacked peanut butter flavor," and tasted "dry." Eeeesh, not so good!
Kind Plus: Blueberry Pecan + Fiber
Calories: 180
Fat: 10 grams
Dietary fiber: 5 grams
I've just gotta come straight out and say it, I love this bar. The almonds taste fresh and fruity, and the consistency of it all is fabulous. All tasters agreed that the flavor was excellent, one said that it was, however, "too much effort to get through the chew."
Kellogg's FiberPlus Antioxidants Chewy Bar: Chocolate Chip
Calories: 120
Fat: 4 grams
Dietary fiber: 9 grams
Our group of tasters liked that this bar didn't stick to their hands, and appreciated the light and airy consistency with a nice crunch. "The chocolate coating on the bottom makes it feel very much like a snack," wrote one taster.
Atkins Day Break: Chocolate Oatmeal Fiber Bar
Calories: 130
Fat: 5 grams
Dietary fiber: 10 grams
Ten whole grams of fiber here! Our tasters wondered if that had something to do with how chewy it was. One taster wrote: "Just the right amount of chocolate, it doesn't taste like some 'high fiber' bar!"
Cascadian Farms Organic: Dark Chocolate Almond Chewy Granola Bar
Calories: 130__Fat:__ 3.5 grams
Dietary fiber: 5 grams
One taster said that this particular bar tasted "a little like a Rice Krispies treat," and I'd have to agree — in texture anyway. The bar was VERY sticky, but the dark chocolate chips inside were very rich.
GNU Foods Flavor & Fiber: Orange Cranberry Bar
Calories: 130
Fat: 3 grams
Dietary Fiber: 12 grams
Meet the fruitiest and highest fiber bar in our test. If you're looking for something that "tastes EXACTLY like a Starburst!" and packs 48 percent of your daily fiber, this is IT. Boasting a very mushy consistancy, the Flavor & Fiber bar made tasters want to "eat a real orange."
... And The Winner Is?
Hands down, the two front-runners in our taste test were Kellogg's FiberPlus bar and the Kind Plus: Blueberry + Fiber bar.
Was it that the other bars were bad? Of course not. Sure, maybe the drier taste of the Kashi GoLean Crunchy! bar wasn't up our alley, but that doesn't mean it's an absolutely horrible buy. It's all about what strikes your fancy. Here at The Stir, the Kellogg's and Kind bars were the ones that our staff wanted another piece (or five) of.
In fact, maybe it's about that time.
Are you a fan of high-fiber bars? If so, which brands are your favorite?
