Each year there seems to be more foods you can buy in bar format and according to MarketResearch.com , this trend is likely to continue. The perception that food bars are healthy is believed to be a key reason for consumers to purchase food bars. The food bar market is divided into 4 groups: granola bars, nutrition/health bars, breakfast/cereal/snack bars, and rice snack squares.
What does the future hold for the food bar market? It seems we are moving away from low-carb bars to slow-carb (low glycemic index) bars made with fibre and whole grains. Manufacturers are also working to improve taste and mouth feel, since these sensory elements have come up short for many food bars in the past. Manufacturers believe that food bars are the ultimate convenience food providing busy consumers nutrition in a tasty (hopefully) and portable format.
On a final note – Leslie does not recommend that you eat food bars instead of a meal. With the exception of protein-packed nutrition bars, most don’t have enough calories or protein to be considered a meal replacement. And while many nutrition bars are fortified with vitamins and minerals, none have the disease-fighting phytochemicals found in whole grains, legumes, fruit and vegetables. (Granola, cereal and snack bars are not fortified with vitamins and minerals.)
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.