Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars Nutrition Facts & More
A Balanced Snack Option
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars have become a popular snack choice for those seeking a balance between indulgence and nutrition. These bars offer a tasty way to increase fiber intake while satisfying sweet cravings. Many turn to them as a convenient on-the-go option for breakfast or a mid-day snack.
Each 40-gram Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bar contains 150 calories, with 26 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fat, and 2 grams of protein. The bars provide a significant amount of dietary fiber, which can contribute to feelings of fullness and support digestive health. Their blueberry flavor and streusel topping add a dessert-like quality that appeals to those watching their calorie intake.
While these bars can be part of a balanced diet, consumers should be aware of their nutritional profile. The calorie content and macronutrient breakdown make them more suitable as a snack rather than a meal replacement. As with any packaged food, it's important to consider portion sizes and how they fit into one's overall daily nutritional goals.
Nutritional Profile
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars offer a mix of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These bars provide a notable amount of fiber while balancing calories and sugar content.
Calories and Macronutrients
A single Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bar contains 150 calories. The macronutrient breakdown consists of 29% fat, 66% carbohydrates, and 5% protein.
The total fat content is approximately 5 grams per bar. This includes a small amount of saturated fat, while trans fat is typically absent.
Protein content is relatively low at around 2 grams per serving. This contributes to the bar's role as more of a fiber-rich snack than a protein source.
Vitamins and Minerals
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars contain various vitamins and minerals, though not in significant quantities. They provide small amounts of calcium and iron.
Sodium content is present, as with many packaged snacks. The exact amount may vary but is generally moderate.
Potassium and vitamin D are not typically found in substantial amounts in these bars.
Sugars and Fiber Content
The primary selling point of Fiber One bars is their high fiber content. Each bar provides a considerable amount of dietary fiber, contributing to daily fiber intake goals.
Sugar content is present due to ingredients like invert sugar, brown sugar, and fructose. The exact amount can vary but is balanced with the fiber content.
Total carbohydrates make up the majority of the bar's caloric content. This includes both the sugars and the beneficial dietary fiber.
Ingredients Analysis
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars contain a mix of whole grains, sweeteners, fats, and additives. The ingredients list reveals a complex blend of nutritional and functional components.
Whole Grains and Fiber Sources
Whole wheat flour and whole grain oats form the base of these bars, providing essential fiber and nutrients. Soluble corn fiber and sugarcane fiber boost the total fiber content. These ingredients contribute to the bar's 5 grams of fiber per serving, which is 20% of the daily recommended intake.
Maltodextrin, a carbohydrate derived from corn, wheat, or potato starch, is also present. It serves as a thickener and filler in the bars.
Sweeteners and Flavorings
The bars contain multiple sweeteners: invert sugar, brown sugar, and fructose. These ingredients add sweetness and contribute to the bar's 11 grams of sugar per serving.
Natural and artificial flavors enhance the blueberry taste. Blueberry puree concentrate provides authentic fruit flavor and color.
Dried apples with sodium sulfite are included, likely for added texture and flavor. Citric acid acts as a flavor enhancer and preservative.
Fats and Oils
Vegetable oils, including canola, palm kernel, and palm oil, are used in the bars. These oils contribute to the product's texture and shelf stability.
Butter adds richness and flavor. The combination of these fats accounts for 5 grams of total fat per serving, including 2.5 grams of saturated fat.
Preservatives and Additives
Modified corn starch serves as a thickener and stabilizer. Cellulose gel, derived from plant fiber, improves texture and mouthfeel.
Baking soda acts as a leavening agent. Soy lecithin is an emulsifier that helps blend ingredients.
Artificial colors (Red 40 and Blue 1) enhance the visual appeal. Oil of rosemary serves as a natural preservative.
Dried egg whites and egg yolk provide protein and binding properties. These ingredients contribute to the bar's 2 grams of protein per serving.
Health Considerations
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars offer both benefits and drawbacks from a nutritional standpoint. These bars contain significant dietary fiber but also include added sugars and sodium.
Dietary Fiber and Weight Management
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars provide 9 grams of fiber per serving. This high fiber content can aid in weight management by promoting feelings of fullness and reducing overall calorie intake. Dietary fiber slows digestion, which helps control appetite and may prevent overeating.
Consuming adequate fiber is linked to lower body weight and reduced risk of obesity. The 9 grams in these bars contribute significantly to the recommended daily intake of 25-30 grams for adults.
However, it's important to note that these bars should not be relied upon as the sole source of dietary fiber. A balanced diet with whole fruits, vegetables, and grains remains essential.
Impact on Blood Sugar
The fiber content in these bars can help moderate blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber, in particular, slows the absorption of sugar, potentially reducing blood glucose spikes after eating.
However, the bars also contain added sugars, which may counteract some of the blood sugar-stabilizing effects. Each bar contains various forms of sugar, including brown sugar, fructose, and invert sugar.
For individuals managing diabetes or blood sugar concerns, it's crucial to consider both the fiber and sugar content when incorporating these bars into their diet.
Heart Health
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars contain ingredients that may impact heart health in different ways. The high fiber content can contribute to lower cholesterol levels, a key factor in cardiovascular health.
These bars are relatively low in saturated fats, which is beneficial for heart health. They do not contain trans fats, another positive aspect for cardiovascular well-being.
However, the bars contain 150 mg of sodium per serving. While not excessively high, individuals on sodium-restricted diets should be mindful of this content.
The presence of blueberries, albeit in processed form, may offer some heart-healthy antioxidants, though likely in smaller amounts compared to fresh blueberries.
Dietary Compatibility
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars have specific dietary considerations that affect their suitability for various eating plans. These factors include gluten content, allergens, vegetarian status, and carbohydrate levels.
Gluten-Free and Allergen Information
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars contain whole wheat flour and whole grain oats, making them unsuitable for those following a gluten-free diet. These ingredients are significant sources of gluten.
The bars also include dried egg whites, which are a common allergen. This makes them inappropriate for individuals with egg allergies.
Other potential allergens in the bars include milk products, as butter is listed in the ingredients. People with dairy sensitivities or allergies should avoid these bars.
Vegetarian and Vegan Considerations
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars are vegetarian-friendly, as they do not contain any meat products. However, they are not suitable for vegans due to the inclusion of animal-derived ingredients.
The bars contain butter and dried egg whites, which are both animal products. Vegans and those following a plant-based diet will need to seek alternative snack options.
For vegetarians who consume dairy and eggs, these bars can be a convenient source of fiber and whole grains.
Low-Carb and Keto Diet Suitability
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars are not ideal for low-carb or ketogenic diets due to their carbohydrate content. Each bar contains 29 grams of total carbohydrates.
While the bars do provide 5 grams of fiber, which can be subtracted to calculate net carbs, the resulting 24 grams of net carbs per bar is still high for strict low-carb diets.
The bars also contain various forms of sugar, including brown sugar, fructose, and invert sugar. These ingredients contribute to the overall carbohydrate content and make the bars unsuitable for keto dieters aiming to maintain ketosis.
Taste Profile
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars offer a distinct flavor and texture, setting them apart from other snack bars on the market. These bars combine fruity sweetness with a hearty, fiber-rich base.
Flavor and Texture
The Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bar delivers a sweet, fruity taste with prominent blueberry notes. The bar's base provides a chewy texture, while the streusel topping adds a pleasant crunch. Dried apples in the ingredient list contribute to the overall fruity flavor profile.
The bar's sweetness comes from a combination of sugar sources, including invert sugar, brown sugar, and fructose. This blend creates a balanced sweetness that complements the blueberry flavor without being overpowering.
Whole grain oats and whole wheat flour give the bar a hearty, slightly nutty undertone. The texture is moderately dense, providing a satisfying bite that doesn't feel too heavy.
Comparison With Other Snack Bars
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars stand out for their high fiber content compared to many other snack bars. With 5 grams of fiber per 40-gram bar, they offer a significant portion of the daily recommended fiber intake.
The blueberry flavor is more pronounced than in some competing fruit-flavored bars. This makes them a good choice for those who enjoy strong fruit tastes in their snacks.
At 150 calories per bar, they fall within the average range for snack bars. The macronutrient breakdown shows a carbohydrate-heavy profile, with 66% of calories from carbs, 29% from fat, and 5% from protein.
Unlike some protein-focused bars, Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars prioritize fiber content over high protein levels. This positions them as a suitable option for consumers seeking digestive health benefits rather than muscle-building properties.
Environmental and Ethical Factors
Fiber One blueberry streusel bars raise important considerations around ingredient sourcing and packaging sustainability. These aspects impact the product's environmental footprint and ethical implications.
Ingredients Sourcing
Fiber One sources ingredients like whole wheat flour, oats, and blueberries for their streusel bars. The company aims to use responsibly grown grains and fruits. However, specific details on their farming practices are limited.
Some ingredients like palm oil have faced scrutiny over deforestation concerns. Fiber One has not publicly disclosed if they use sustainably certified palm oil sources.
The bars contain artificial flavors and preservatives. This raises questions about the environmental impact of producing these synthetic additives.
Packaging and Sustainability
Fiber One blueberry streusel bars come individually wrapped in plastic packaging. This single-use plastic contributes to waste and pollution issues.
The outer cardboard box is recyclable in many areas. However, the inner wrappers are typically not accepted for recycling.
General Mills, Fiber One's parent company, has set goals to make 100% of their packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030. Progress toward more sustainable packaging options for these bars is unclear.
The company has not implemented take-back programs or other initiatives to reduce packaging waste from their snack products.
Preparation and Serving Suggestions
Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars come ready to eat, requiring no preparation. Simply open the package and enjoy the bar as a convenient snack or light breakfast option.
For a more indulgent treat, warm the bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This enhances the blueberry aroma and softens the texture slightly.
Pair a Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bar with a glass of low-fat milk or yogurt for added protein and calcium. This combination creates a more balanced snack or mini-meal.
Cut the bar into smaller pieces and use as a topping for plain yogurt or oatmeal. The blueberry flavor and streusel texture add interest to these simple dishes.
For portion control, consider eating half a bar as a light snack. Store the remaining half in an airtight container or resealable bag to maintain freshness.
These bars can be part of a grab-and-go breakfast alongside a piece of fresh fruit. The combination provides both fiber and additional vitamins.
Keep Fiber One Blueberry Streusel Bars in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or high-humidity areas to preserve their texture and flavor.
