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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What's a good muesli bar or breakfast bar for brekkie on the go?

    Related Topic
    Nutrition
    Looking or something to eat for breakfast on the go and there are so many breakfast/muesli bars out there - I don't know which one to choose.
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    Elke Supple

    Dietitian

    Core Nutrition is the business of Mrs Elke Supple, Accredited Dietitian & Nutritionist who provides family orientated nutrition consultancy. Elke specialises in weight loss, food … View Profile

    A good muesli bar or breakfast bar almost sounds like a cliche - when you think about, long, long ago we didn't need to have these bars to survive the breakfast hunger. However, certainly eating a breakfast bar or muesli bar is far better for you than skipping out on breakfast altogether.

    What's wrong with them? I often ask people this … how did they get the stuff to stick together in a perfect bar shape? There's only two ingredient types that can stick the foods together - (1)  A sugar (e.g. honey) or (2) A fat (e.g. butter). With this in mind you might as well have had the cereal or muesli from the box which had the dried apricot and rolled oats all loose, instead of the apricot muesli bar.

    But if you really can't wake up 15 minutes earlier to sit down and eat breakfast, then this is a very good question - what is a good muesli bar or breakfast bar for on the go?

    What to look for when buying:
    high fibre: aim for at least 3g fibre per serve (or as close to this as possible)
    low sugar: most of them contain dried fruit and this will raise the total sugar content of the product. There are ones that are artificially sweetened - but try not to rely on these. Aim for less than 10% total sugar for fruitless varieties, less than 15% for fruit-containing varieties.
    low fat: aim for 10% total fat - nut bars will be naturally higher in fat content.
    low saturated fat: aim for less than 3% saturated fat
    No arificial additives, colours or flavours.

    Product brands: I'm sorry but I don't know the names of any muesli bars or breakfast bars - as I personally never buy them!

    You may find that the varieties that are made from nuts - although are higher in fat - will be more satisfying, because of the higher fat content. Nuts are also a good source of protein, which also helps with satiety (the feeling of fullness) and the type of fat found in nuts is a “good fat”.

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    Peta Adams

    Dietitian

    I am an Accredited Practising Dietitian locally born and working within the Riverina.I have a passion for helping people to achieve their nutrition goals, coaching … View Profile

    Great answer from Elke, cereal or eggs on toast always would be my first por of call however if this is simply not an option for you a bar on the go can be a suitable alternative provided you make a good choice.

    Nut Bars are better choices over muesli bars, as they often provide the same amount of carbohydrate as 2 slices of bread for a very small portion size and alck adequate protein.
    Suggested Brands of Nut Bars are the Go Natural Nut Delight Bars and the Health Sun foods (almond, cashew and honey bars).

    A protein bar is also a good breakfast alternative to keep you full; the Aussie Bodies Protein Fx Lo carb Bars have adequate protein and fibre.


    An Up and Go of the VitaGo soy smoothies also make a good on the go breakfast option. 

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  • Melissa Adamski

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    I am an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) with over 15 years’ experience working as a dietitian – advising both businesses and patients. I am founder … View Profile

    Great answers from both Elke and Peta! Mmm eggs on toast with a glass of milk is a satisfying breakfast for myself- I soft boil the eggs so they act ike a poach egg but I dont have to fuss around with them in the morning (just pop them in the water and then come back when they are ready).

    To add to Peta's suggestion of Up and Go's and Vita Soy smoothies being an option you can make a smoothie or have a cafe make one up but just remember that pieces of fruit can ad up in kilojoules- A piece of fruit (eg banana), some berries, a small serving of low fat milk and some low fat yogurt could be another option!

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