Most. Amazing. Snack. Bar. Hands. Down.

I am a big fan of granola bars, but never a fan of the artificial flavors and preservatives. Also, they are always so tiny for the 100-160 calories they have. I have also tried making them from scratch and that was too much of a hassle to try again. I've also been on the search for a healthy, filling <200 cal snack and I can't just buy a bag of almonds or something b/c I will most likely just eat way more than I need to.

Well ladies and gentlemen, I think I found my answer this weekend.

Mariani Honey Bars

They have NO artificial flavors or colors or additives. Granted, they are a little higher calorie (highest is 190) but they are HUGE, and filled with amazing ingredients. I just had the trail mix one (the highest calorie one) and here is the ingredient list: peanuts, honey, raisins, sunflower kernels, almonds, pumpkin seeds. THAT'S IT!! They have a few different flavors and they all seem tasty.

Now, I got them at a mad-discounted price ($1 ea, which is still kind of overpriced) from my local discount grocery store. They are sold on their website (www.mariani.com) for $2 a piece, or $47 for 30.

Not a spokesperson for them (yet, lol) but just wanted to share a new, deliciously healthy snack :)

Thanks! I've been looking for something like this as well. I'll keep an eye out for them next time I am grocery shopping.

Wow, those sound awesome. I've been buying Clif bars when they're on sale, but these sound a lot better, calorie-wise. I always feel guilty eating Clif bars.

also, jsyk, I found these in the dried fruit section of the store rather than the granola bar section

Those sound great; also a really good one for an after-workout snack (13 grams of protein; 8 grams of fiber!) is the Nutilite chocolate protein bar. 190 calories and 22 different vitamins and minerals, some of which I've never even heard of!

GO SNACK BARS!

Make them yourself? :P

Dont granola bars have alot of sugar in them? At least the processed store bought ones? I was eating granola bars as a snack or dessert, but when I found how much sugar is in them I said I have got to stop eating these. I am interesting in making my own though, it would probably be cheaper then spending almost $50 bucks on 30 bars! Just a thought :-)

Besides being cheaper, making your own has two great advantages:

1. You can add your favourite ingredients in your preferred ratios.

2. You can make them just about any size (and number of calories) you want. You can even cut them up in different sizes for days with different needs, which is awesome. :) (for instance, work-out days vs. rest days, or sandwich lunch days vs. salad lunch days)

Does anyone have any recipes for a simple granola bar?

If you make your own, I would think that wax paper would be a good wrapping that prevents too much stickiness.  I'm too lazy, so instead I get the prepackaged nut mixes from Trader Joe's...they're significantly cheaper although I could save some more money by preportioning my own out, but I just don't trust myself unless I do it when I buy them.