This Snack Bar Trend Is the Next Big Thing

Once upon a time, we didn’t have a ton of options for eating on the go. Granola made a splash in the ‘70s, but what began as a wholesome snack became a pretty sugary one over the years. Somewhere along the way, granola combined forces with nuts, dried fruit and dark chocolate to form the modern-day energy bar, a.k.a. the go-to energy-booster for just about every activity. So it was only a matter of time before a new wave of savory bars stepped up to add diversity to the mix. These spicy, nutty, and yes, even meat-based energy bars tend to be higher in protein and fat—two of the three things you should be looking for in snacks, says nutritionist Stephanie Middleberg. “They both take longer to digest and can cut cravings,” she says. But hang on—savory bars have pitfalls, too. When you see a bar with soy protein isolate, high salt, artificial sugars and alcohols and coloring, Middleberg suggests steering clear. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the grass-fed label on the wrapper: no need to sacrifice quality just because you’re snacking on the run. Which bars are you adding to your shopping list?