Nature Valley: Not So Natural After All - Eating Made Easy

When you buy a product called “Nature Valley,” in a box labeled “100% natural,” you’re probably assuming the product is a natural, healthy choice, right? Wrong.  If you examine the ingredients in most Nature Valley products, you’ll find high maltose corn syrup, maltodextrin, and sometimes high fructose corn syrup — 3 highly processed ingredients that do not exist in nature.  These ingredients are sweeteners that may or may not be nutritionally worse than sugar, but they’re certainly not natural. Because of this, two California moms are suing General Mills, the makers of Nature Valley, claiming that the packaging, labeling, and marketing of these products deceives consumers into believing that they’re natural and healthy.  These moms say their intention is to make other parents aware that “natural” products are not necessarily pure, healthy, or 100% natural. Are Nature Valley products healthy? It depends.  They wouldn’t be my first choice (these are my favorite granola bars), and some of their ingredients are definitely highly processed, but most varieties are no worse than other commercial granola bars.  The problem really lies in the marketing: with images of nature and active people on their labels and in their ads, most consumers assume these are […]

Oats and Honey Granola Bars, Oat Bars

Products - Nature Valley Canada EN

Muesli bars (granola bars)

Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, Oats 'n Honey

Nature???” Valley – Communicating Health, Science and the Environment

Nature Valley or a Slippery Slope? - Bruce Bradley

Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, Oats 'n Honey

6 Healthy Granola Bars That Have As Much Sugar As a Doughnut

Are Granola Bars Healthy? Here's What a Dietitian Has to Say

Healthy Granola Recipe - Cookie and Kate