Larabars Nutrition

Larabar is a brand of natural snack and supplement bars. The manufacturer states that each bar is free of gluten, dairy, soy, genetically modified organisms, animal products and is kosher. The nutrition information for each bar varies, depending on the exact ingredients, but each one is made with between two and nine whole food ingredients. Larabars come in a variety of flavors that change periodically.

Significance

Larabars provide consumers with a natural snack that is convenient for eating on the go. Unlike other similar bars on the market, the Larabar is free of manufacturer protein, whey and dairy products that are often used to increase protein and energy value. Consumers with various food allergies or sensitivities, with the exception of nut allergies, may find they can eat the Larabar when all other bars are off limits.

Types

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The Larabar comes in several varieties that are either fruit-based or replicate flavored desserts or snacks. Some flavors include carrot cake, peanut butter and jelly, lemon bar, coconut cream pie and cashew cookie. Regardless of the flavor, the bar uses only whole food ingredients.

Calories

Each Larabar contains close to 200 calories. Many are slightly under, at 190 calories, and a few are more than 200 by 10 to 30 calories. The number of calories in the bar seems relatively low, but some other ingredients in the bars may be concerning, depending on individual dietary needs.

Fat Content

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KidsHealth points out that some snack bars contain many vitamins and important nutrients, like protein or fiber, but they can also contain a great deal of fat. Several Larabars have more than 8g of fat, which equates to more than 13 percent of the daily recommended fat intake amount for an individual on a 2,000-calorie diet. Someone attempting to lose weight by eating low-fat foods may need to consider the amount of fat found in these bars.

Benefits

Depending on the ingredients in the Larabar, there are many important vitamins, minerals and nutrients in each bar, considering the size of the snack. For example, the Tropical Fruit Tart contains 3g protein and 5g fiber. It contains 2 percent calcium, 4 percent iron, 6 percent folic acid and and 20 percent vitamin C of the daily recommended allowance. The bars containing nuts have a higher protein content, making them more filling than the fruit options with fewer grams of protein.

Considerations

While the Larabar does contain whole foods, KidsHealth points out that this does not always mean the snack is superior to other options. The fat content is concerning and the low protein and fiber may make it less effective in curbing hunger, an important trait to have in a snack bar. For individuals with special dietary needs, the bar may be the only option making the potential pitfalls of the Larabar unimportant.