I spent hours looking at the nutrition labels of various granola and snack bars on the market, analyzing the label, reading the ingredients and researching all the options. And believe me, there are A LOT of bar options out there. So I did my research and wanted to help cut through the clutter and give you some good options.

Like anything when it comes to feeding your kids, you are in charge. Do your own research. Read the labels. Check out the ingredients. Then decide what you feel comfortable feeding your kids. These bars would also make great lunch box additions. If you need more packed lunch ideas, check out my guide: A Month of Easy Packed Lunch Ideas For Kids!

Similar to what I discussed in my Lower Sugar Cereals for Kids guide , for posts like this, there has to be a cutoff. Otherwise, the list would be too large and overwhelming. Similarly, this is not an all-inclusive list. There are just too many options out there to cover them all.

So what are the best granola bars for kids? I think so! Here are the criteria I used for my list:. In addition, you can look at the order of ingredients in the ingredient list. If sugar is listed before fruit, you can assume that more of the sugar is added.

Similarly, protein can come from whole ingredients or it can be added in the form of whey protein, egg powder, etc. I did my best to choose bars with ingredients I think are wholesome.

Is every single ingredient in each bar on this list perfect? But overall, I feel like the ingredient lists are good. Many of the bars on the list come in multiple flavors.

Remember that sometimes other flavors might have differences in ingredients, amount of sugar, etc. You can compare nutrition labels and ingredients between flavors on the websites.

Those bars are fine to eat, I would just recommend treating them a little more like sweet treat due to the amount of added sugar. There are certainly granola bars out there that can be good for you.

Like anything else, a lot depends on the ingredients. If you can find one with a solid nutritional profile, it can be a great snack but just like anything else I recommend focusing on a varied diet and trying to incorporate a variety of healthy snack options throughout each week.

For most people, especially kids, a granola bar is not enough to be a complete breakfast. However, you could pair a healthy granola bar with a cheese stick or cup of yogurt and a piece of fresh fruit to make a balanced breakfast or light meal! Granola bars are a great shelf-stable option to keep in your pantry.

Store them in a cool, dry pantry until the expiration date on the package. KIND bars are some of my favorite granola bars to recommend for adults. They have some great low sugar options but some also have large pieces of nuts that can be hard for younger children to eat.

But they also have some options that are more grain-based and chewy options that are easier for kids — as recommended above. Oats are a nutrition powerhouse and can be a great addition to your diet. Kid-friendly flavors like cinnamon roll, smores, and chocolate brownie are picky-eater-approved.

Be mindful: these bars have a chewy texture. While the veggies are a nice touch and most bars have 2 grams of fiber, sugar tends to be high on the ingredients list.

ZEGO Fruit Chia Bars — I love these bars that are made from fruit purees and organic chia seeds. Chia seeds add crunch, texture and are a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids, protein and fiber. With such simple ingredients, this is a great once-in-a-while option for toddlers as well.

Health Warrior Chia Bars — Health Warrior Chia Bars have one of the lowest sugar contents out there, making them a great option for more frequent snacking.

They come in a variety of fruity and more indulgent flavors like coconut, chocolate peanut butter, caramel sea salt and mango. MINI LARABARS — Half the size of traditional Larabars, mini bars are a perfect little kid size.

I love the whole food ingredient list, dense, but not tough texture, and yummy flavors. RX Kids Bars — RX bars were one my go tos and I was happy they came out with a mini version for kiddos.

They are much chewier than Lara Bars and also have a great nutrition profile and ingredients list that keeps kids feeling full. The bars also contain a mix of superfood powders from carrots, kale, and sweet potatoes among others.

Note that while they contain no artificial preservatives, they do need to be refrigerated. They also come in a variety of flavors. Because of added sugar and brown rice syrup, try to serve half of a pack at a time and pair with milk or cheese for a little extra protein.

These are a protein-focused bar. This post may contain affiliate links. If you shop from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!

This gives me much needed direction. Thanks for the suggestions! Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Submit Comment. This article shares 12 ways to get your super picky eater regularly eating new foods. Pay special attention to the first 3. I try to avoid bars that have sugar or anything related to sugar as a main ingredient. This is really hard to do!! Instead, look for whole foods and ingredients that you recognize whole grains, dried fruits, and nuts are some good options as the main ingredients.

Look for a minimal amount of added sugars. Try to aim for around 5 grains of added sugar if possible. Look at the protein, fat, and fiber content. These are all things that help keep kids feeling full.

Fruit Bars and Fruit Leathers Peaceful Fruits Bear Fruit Rolls Stretch Island Fruit Leather Look for fruit leathers that are made with fruit only. Chia Bars ZEGO Fruit Chia Bars — I love these bars that are made from fruit purees and organic chia seeds.