Summary Feedback
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola bars is a cereal bar with cranberry pieces and fruit pulp.
For a food that calls itself a health product, the sugar content in it is at extremely high levels of 12.7 gm per 42 gm pack and so we will not at all recommend it for those battling diabetes, lifestyle disease and obesity issues.
It contains edible vegetable oil- sunflower oil, certain vegetable oils contain very large amounts of biologically active fats called Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which could be harmful in excess. Excess polyunsaturated fats may react with oxygen and oxidised Omega-6 fats can damage body functions and perhaps even vital structures like DNA.
The foodnetindia rating for this product :-
foodnetindia safety rating: 4- (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
Many people replace their regular meals with granola bars under the misconception that they would provide them with better nutrition and lesser calories to help them lose weight. But that is so far from the truth, as bars like these are sugar bombs and such high sugar food products are not recommended for those having diabetes, lifestyle diseases or obesity problems.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating : 4 (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
This food has wholesome oats and pieces of fruits and fruit puree too but its high sugar content and high PUFA edible vegetable oil does not make it a wholesome food or a good addition to a wholesome diet.
Ingredients of concern in Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars
-
- Sugar
- Edible Vegetable Oil-Sunflower Oil
- Salt
- Added Flavour-Natural Flavouring substance
Sugar
It contains 12.7 grams of sugar in a 42 gm pack. Sugar is a carbohydrate found naturally in a host of different foods from lactose in milk to the fructose in fruit and honey. There is no evidence that humans require sugar in our diets. Complex carbohydrates and healthy fats can supply energy to fuel our muscles and keep our brains active. Many processed foods have added sugar and these add up to exceed the recommended daily levels of sugar. This can affect our health, including our immunity – leaving us more prone to lifestyle diseases, metabolic diseases and also communicable diseases. A high intake of sugar causes our blood sugar levels to shoot up, giving us that feel-good ‘high’ followed by a crashing slump which leaves us tired, irritable and craving more sugary foods. It’s a vicious cycle that may be contributing to our weight problems as well as health concerns like diabetes, cancers and heart disease.
Edible Vegetable Oil
Certain vegetable oils contain very large amounts of biologically active fats called Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which could be harmful in excess. Excess polyunsaturated fats may react with oxygen and oxidised Omega-6 fats can damage body functions and perhaps even vital structures like DNA. In addition, some people may be allergic to specific oils. Food allergies can sometimes be life threatening.
Added Flavour-Natural Flavouring substance
This food product does not specify which flavours or flavouring substances have been used. The flavours should be specified as some of them have serious side effects and may not be suitable for infants, pregnant women or people who are allergic. We believe that it is not responsible behaviour for a brand to avoid clearly stating what ingredients have been used.
By not specifying what these flavours and substances are, we are forced to consider what they are hiding and why would they be so reluctant to mention what they have used in the food product!
By this behaviour, these manufacturers expose people to possible allergens or toxins that could be avoided if consumers knew what they were.
Other ingredients that are in the product but not a major source of concern in our opinion are:
- Whole Grain Rolled Oats
- Cranberry pieces-Cranberries-49%
- Honey
- Fruit Puree 0.7% (Blueberry, Strawberry, Blackberry Raspberry,
- Molasses
- Natural Flavouring Emulsifier-Sunflower Lecithin
- Raising agent-Sodium bicarbonate
Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information. foodnetindia encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
Replies, if any, from the brand, will be published here ‘As is’