Quaker Chewy Granola bars are a common staple in many families. There are some scary ingredients in those little plastic packages. One of which is BHT. BHT is produced by an alkylation reaction of p-cresol with isobutylene and is also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, and embalming fluid. As a food additive BHT has been banned in Japan, Romania, Sweden, England and Australia and the Center for Science in the Public Interest recommends it be avoided whenever possible.
They also contain the caramel coloring, banned in other countries due to the detrimental side effects. AND a whole lot of ingredients that just mean sugar!
Ingredients in Quaker Granola Bar = GRANOLA (WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS, BROWNSUGAR, CRISP RICE [RICE FLOUR, SUGAR, SALT, MALTED BARLEY EXTRACT],WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED WHEAT, SOYBEAN OIL, DRIED COCONUT, WHOLE WHEATFLOUR, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SOY LECITHIN, CARAMEL COLOR, NONFAT DRYMILK), SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS (SUGAR, CHOCOLATE LIQUOR, COCOABUTTER, SOY LECITHIN, VANILLA EXTRACT), CORN SYRUP, BROWN RICE CRISP(WHOLE GRAIN BROWN RICE, SUGAR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, SALT), INVERTSUGAR, SUGAR, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, GLYCERIN, SOYBEAN OIL. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SORBITOL,CALCIUM CARBONATE, SALT, WATER, SOY LECITHIN, MOLASSES, NATURAL ANDARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, BHT, CITRIC ACID.
I know a lot of schools are going "nut free," so here is a granola bar you can send to school while keeping the children with allergies safe. This is a quick and easy snack that the kids can make themselves! If your kids prefer, you could use 1/2 cup xylitol for the sweetener instead (some people are "super tasters" and don't care for the erythritol taste), xylitol tastes just like sugar without the health concerns. Click HERE to read more on xylitol.
1 cup creamy sunflower seed butter
1/2 cup erythritol and 1/2 tsp stevia glycerite (or 1/2 cup xylitol)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup NATURE'S HOLLOW xylitol honey or maple syrup
1 cup ground flaxseed
1 cup whole flaxseed
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 cup sesame seeds
4 cups whey crisps
OPTIONAL: 1/4 cup cocoa powder
In a saucepan over low heat mix together the sunflower butter, and sweetener. Heat until the sun-butter is melted. Stir in the flaxseeds and vanilla, then pour the mixture over whey crisps and mix well. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan (or line with parchment paper), then spread the mixture into the pan and press down to form a dense sheet. Let the mixture sit for about 5 to 10 minutes, until firmly set, then cut into bars. Makes about 28 bars.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Granola Bar = 256 calories, 44 carbs, 2.6g fiber
"Healthified" Granola Bars = 190 calories, 7.2 carbs, 4.9g fiber
CLICK HERE TO FIND THE FOOD PROCESSOR I USED TO MAKE THE GRANOLA BARS.
XYLITOL= Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and is even produced by the human body during normal metabolism. Manufacturers make it from plants such as birch and other hard wood trees and fibrous vegetation. Some people prefer the taste of xylitol. I only use it when I have to due to it's higher calorie content and increases insulin a little.
CALORIES = 2.4 calories/gram; 1 tsp has 9.6 calories and 1 tsp of sugar has 15 calories (40% fewer calories and 75% fewer carbs than table sugar)
SWEETNESS = Same as table sugar. Use cup for cup.
BENEFITS = Has been known to aid in the prevention of ear infections. Tastes more like table sugar. Dissolves in liquids and melts.
