Fruit bars: benefits and harms

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Fruit bars are now very popular. Manufacturers lure consumers with bright packaging and colorful promises. This is due to the fact that in a small snack there is a large amount of carbohydrates that help to hold out until the end of the working day. Such a snack is considered by many to be very useful. However, is this true? Can a fruit and nut bar replace a wholesome meal? Or should you cook it yourself at home?

Muesli bars. What is this?

Bars often used as a quick snack are often referred to as muesli. The word itself comes from the German concept, which literally translates as "mashed potatoes". However, muesli is a set of cereals processed in such a way that they can be consumed without prior preparation.

This dish was invented by a Swiss doctor. It was assumed that patients would consume muesli as a medical food. Now you can find various options. The composition of this dish may include cereals, dried fruits, seeds and nuts. Fruit bars are also now being consumed, which contain the same elements. These are the same muesli, but in a more convenient package.

What is the use of these bars?

Fruitbars - a product, of course, useful. However, much depends on the composition of the product. If, in addition to cereals and dried fruits, this dish contains sugar, preservatives or not very useful chemical additives, then you can forget about the exceptional usefulness of such a product.

Fruit bars, reviews of which are positive, contain only the necessary elements, namely carbohydrates, which give energy and fiber. The benefits of this product come from the combination of vitamins found in the ingredients of the dish.

Also, do not forget that the right bar is a combination of cereals, seeds or nuts and fruits. That is, in one dish there are several substances necessary for a person at once. This is the main advantage of such a dish.

What are fruit bars made of?

At the heart of muesli bars are cereals. These include oats, rye, barley. Bars with wheat are less commonly used. Both processed flakes and whole grains can be taken. However, the latter are also pre-soaked to achieve softness.

In addition to these elements, the bar may contain seeds, such as linseed or sunflower. You can also see a product with pumpkin seeds. In this regard, the Fruit Band fruit bar offers consumers a wide range of flavors.

Also, you can't do without fruit in such a bar. The most popular dried apricots and prunes. Also cherries do not lag behind these dried fruits. Less often you can find more exoticvariations of this product, such as mango or peach.

Some manufacturers attract customers with additional elements, for example, pouring chocolate or caramel over the bar. This has a positive effect on the taste of the dish, but reduces its benefits. You can also see muesli bars wrapped in waffles. This helps keep your hands free of prunes or other fruits.

Do not forget that manufacturers can add sweeteners or palm oil to the bars. Such a product cannot be called a good and he althy snack.

Why candy bars become a good snack?

Muesli can also be purchased in loose form, adding the necessary fruits or berries. However, bars that include everything at once are in demand. Why? This dish has its advantages.

It is convenient to take with you. These fruit bars fit in any handbag, they can be taken on the road. Therefore, bars have become an alternative to chocolates or cookies. However, they can also be consumed for breakfast. Bars are high in calories, which allows you to charge the body with energy for the whole day. And the fact that they don't need to be cooked helps save time, which is so scarce in the morning!

Properly selected product is beneficial for the body. If the composition contains only natural ingredients, then the bar supplies a person with fiber, minerals and a number of vitamins.

Cons of bars. Is there any harm?

The fruit bar may not be as harmless as the manufacturers make it out to be. First of all, it should not be used by those who suffer from individual intolerance to certain ingredients.

Also, in order for the bar to benefit, and not harm the body, you should carefully read the composition. The right product will have a minimum amount of ingredients. And sugar is usually excluded. This is due to the fact that dried fruits themselves have a natural sweetness.

The downside of bars is usually considered their calorie content. One hundred grams of the product can contain about four hundred calories. Thus, just two bars can be equated in calories to an average lunch. Therefore, they are so afraid of those who want to lose weight. It is not worth consuming a large number of such bars. However, one or two a week will quite help to lose weight tasty and without harm to he alth.

Another disadvantage may be the increased content of seeds. They, in turn, include oils that can adversely affect the condition of the liver. Therefore, you should not get too carried away with bars.

Homemade Fruit Bar: Basic Recipe

A muesli bar can also be made at home. For this you will need:

• Flakes. You can take oatmeal, rice, wheat - whatever you like. In total, you need about two glasses of such an ingredient. You can also combine different types of cereal.
• Dried fruits or berries. As a sweet additive, you can use dried apricots, prunes, raisins, dried or fresh berries or fruits. A fresh banana works well. It should be thoroughly kneaded and added to cereal. Shuffle.
• Crushed nuts, seeds. These ingredients are added if there is a desire to improve the taste of the dish. You can also additionally grate an apple, pear or other fruit.

The resulting mixture is thoroughly mixed and laid out on a baking sheet. This layer is sent to the oven for twenty to twenty-five minutes. Then the still hot dish is cut into pieces of the desired size and cooled. You can also form bars right away.