Nutri-Grain bars are made with whole grains and “real fruit”. But are Nutri-Grain bars healthy to include in your routine? Check out our full dietitian review before adding them to your grocery cart.
Are Nutri-Grain Bars Healthy?
Nutri-Grain bars are higher in sugar and lower in fibre than other bars on the market. We would expect a bar made with whole grains to provide a source of fibre, while Nutri-Grain bars only contain 1g of fibre per bar. There is also 13-14g of sugar per bar, which is considered high compared to other bars on the market. This is evident in the ingredient list, where sugar is listed as the first ingredient in both the filling and outer shell. This means that although Nutr-Grain bars contain whole grains and real fruit, more sugar is added to these bars by weight than either of these ingredients. We suggest a granola bar with lower sugar and higher fibre. Check out our Granola Bar Nutrition Comparison Chart for alternate options.
Read more about our Food Nutrition Score here!
Are Nutri-Grain Bars Too High in Sugar?
It depends on the rest of your diet. The World Health Organization recommends consuming less than 10% of total energy from added sugars in the diet, but ideally less than 5%. In an average diet, this is equivalent to 25-50g of added sugar each day. This means that if you choose to include Nutri-Grain bars as part of your routine, one alone will not make your diet excessive in sugar, depending on other sources of added sugar in your daily routine.
That being said, there are other granola bars on the market with lower sugar and higher fibre content. These bars will keep you full and satiated for longer while contributing less added sugar to your daily routine. In general, we recommend choosing a granola/snack bar with less than 6g of sugar per bar. Check out our roundup of Low Sugar Granola Bar and Snack Bars here for lower-sugar alternatives.
If you do include these bars as part of your routine, keep in mind that they are not a significant source of protein or fibre. Be sure to pair them with a source of protein and/or healthy fats and fibre to slow digestion and provide a more satiating, balanced snack.
Are Nutri-Grain Bars Healthy? Dietitian Review
Nutri-Grain Bar Ingredients
There is a long list of ingredients used in Nutri-Grain bars (see the chart below for details). A big reason for this is that there are two parts to these bars – the filling and the outer shell. In addition to whole grains (the second ingredient in the outer shell), there are a number of sweeteners (different types of sugar) and food additives that act as emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, or pH regulators. In both the jam ingredient list and the outer shell ingredient list, sugar is listed as the first ingredient, indicating that this is likely a higher-sugar granola bar. Due to the number of ingredients in Nutri-Grain bars, we consider it a more processed granola bar option than others on the market.
| Ingredient | Purpose | |
|---|---|---|
| Filling Ingredients | Sugar | Sweetener |
| Corn Syrup | Sweetener | |
| Raspberry Puree Concentrate | Used to provide flavour for the jam filling in the bar | |
| Vegetable glycerin | Solvent and humectant (keeps food moist) | |
| Concentrated carrot juice | For colour | |
| Modified corn starch | Used as a binder in the jam filling | |
| Natural flavour | For flavouring | |
| Modified cellulose | Binder, emulsifier, filler, and stabilizing agent | |
| Malic acid | Often used in jams as a pH adjusting agent | |
| Citric acid | Often used in jams as a pH adjusting agent | |
| Sodium alginate | Gelling agent, thickening agent, emulsifying agent | |
| Sodium citrate | Emulsifyer, stabilizer, thickening agent | |
| Dicalcium phosphate | Emulsifier and firming agent | |
| Outer Ingredients | Sugars (sugar/glucose-fructose, dextrose) | Sweetener |
| Whole grain oats | Source of fibre | |
| Wheat flour (with thiamine, riboflavin) | Flour enriched with B vitamins | |
| Whole grain wheat flour | Source of fibre | |
| Vegetable oil | Source of unsaturated fats | |
| Vegetable oil shortening | Source of saturated fats | |
| Milk ingredients | Likely used as part of baking the outer shell | |
| Salt | Source of sodium | |
| Cellulose | Binder, emulsifier, filler, and stabilizing agent | |
| Natural Flavour | For flavouring | |
| Potassium bicarbonate | pH adjusting agent | |
| Wheat bran | Source of fibre | |
| Soy lecithin | Emulsifyer, stabilizing agent | |
| Wheat gluten | Protein found in wheat used for texture | |
| Corn starch | Binder | |
| Carageenan | Binder, emulsifyer, stabilizer, thickening agent | |
| Guar gum | Emulsifyer, gelling, stabilizing, thickening agent |
Priority Allergens
Contains milk, soy, wheat, and gluten. Always check the product label for up-to-date nutrition and allergen information.
Nutri-Grain Bar Nutrition Facts
The nutrition facts in Nutri-Grain Bars are similar between flavours. The nutrition facts for the Nutri-Grain Raspberry flavor are summarized below, with the range of different flavours in parentheses.
Calories: 140
Fat: 3.5g, coming from vegetable oil and vegetable shortening.
Saturated fat: 0.5g, coming from vegetable shortening.
Carbohydrates: 26g (25-26g), coming from added sugar, whole grain wheat, and flour.
Fibre: 1g, from whole grain oats and whole grain wheat flour.
Sugar: 14g (13-14g), coming from sugar, corn syrup, raspberry puree, glucose-fructose, dextrose.
Protein: 2g, coming from whole grain oats and whole grain wheat flour.
Sodium: 95mg (95-110mg), coming from salt.
Micronutrients: potassium 100mg, calcium 20mg, iron 0.75mg.
Nutri-Grain Nutrition Facts Comparison
| Nutri-Grain Raspberry | Nutri-Grain Mixed Berry | Nutri-Grain Apple Cinnamon | Nutri-Grain Blueberry | Nutri-Grain Strawberry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 140 | 140 | 140 | 140 | 140 |
| Fat | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Carbohydrate | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
| Fibre | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sugar | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Protein | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Sodium | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 110 |
| Potassium | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 75 |
| Calcium | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Iron | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 |
Are Nutri-Grain Bars Healthy? Dietitian Review
Nutri-Grain Bar Flavours
Nutri-Grain bars are available in five flavours: Raspberry, Blueberry, Mixed Berry, Apple Cinnamon, and Strawberry.
Nutrition Marketing Claims
The Nutri-Grain website states that Nutri-Grain bars are a wholesome snack made with oats and real fruit filling.
While both oats and fruit puree are present in Nutri-Grain bars, sugar is listed before both of these in the ingredient list. So although Nutr-Grain bars contain whole grains and real fruit, these ingredients are present in smaller amounts than sugar.
Taste & Texture
Nutri-Grain bars have a soft, chewy texture. They are sweet and the outer shell has pieces of oats that are noticeable in the texture.
Cost
At the time of this review, Nutri-Grain bars are available from $3.67-$3.99 in Ontario per 8-pack ($0.46-$0.50 per bar).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are nutri-grain bars gluten-free?
No, Nutri-Grain bars contain gluten.
Are Nutri-Grain bars nut-free?
There are no peanuts or tree nuts listed on the ingredient list or in a contains or may contain allergen statement. If concerned about cross-contamination, we recommend checking with the manufacturer prior to consuming. Always check the product label for up-to-date nutrition and allergen information.
Are Nutri-Grain bars high in fibre?
No, Nutri-Grain bars contain only 1g of fibre per bar and are not considered high in fibre.
Are Nutri-Grain bars high in sugar?
Yes, Nutr-Grain bars contain 13-14g of sugar per bar which is high compared to other granola bars on the market.
Are Nutri-Grain bars good for diabetics?
Nutri-Grain bars are high in sugar, and low in fibre. Choosing a bar with a lower sugar and higher fibre content would likely support a more stable blood sugar response than nutr-grain bars.
Are nutri-grain bars dairy-free?
Nutr-Grain bars contain milk products and are not considered dairy-free.
Sources:
Natural Health Product Ingredient Database, Health Canada, Corn Starch (accessed June 21, 2023)
Natural Health Product Ingredient Database, Health Canada, Modified Cellulose (accessed June 21, 2023)
Health Canada, List of Permitted pH Adjusting Agents (List of Permitted Food Additives) (accessed June 21, 2023)
Natural Health Product Ingredient Database, Health Canada, Sodium Alginate (accessed June 21, 2023)
Health Canada, List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents (Lists of Permitted Food Additives) (accessed June 21, 2023)
Natural Health Product Ingredient Database, Health Canada, Calcium Diphosphate (accessed June 21, 2023)
Food Additives Permitted for use in Canada, Health Canada (accessed June 21, 2023)
Guideline: Sugar Intake for Adults and Children, World Health Organization (2015).
Nutri-Grain , Kellogg’s Canada (accessed June 21, 2023)
