Sport snacks may lack nutritional value

Called energy bars, protein bars, power bars or cereal bars, they are conveniently packaged in individual servings for on-the-go eaters.

Variably marketed as breakfast foods, meal replacements, dieters' supplements or power boosters for athletes, the bars seek to fill different nutritional niches: Some offer high carbohydrates, some high protein, some a balance of both.

No matter the nutritional angle, they all send comforting messages of good, clean living. And American consumers have responded with enthusiasm. But depending on the bars they choose, they could be countering their dietary goals.

According to an article in this month's Consumer Reports magazine, the nation spends about $1.4 billion per year on brands including PowerBar, Clif, Clif Luna, Carb Solutions, Atkins Advantage and Ultra-Slim Fast.

Originally marketed as a carbohydrate boost for runners and other serious athletes, the product's nutritional mission has become muddled as its popularity has spread to other consumer groups.

But the problem with that reasoning, say nutrition experts, is that most people do not need the extra calories offered in so-called energy bars. And bars marketed as meal replacements may not provide the same quality of nutrition, or hunger satisfaction, as real food.

Information printed on the packages for Special K breakfast bars indicates they are virtually identical, nutritionally speaking, to packaged Rice Krispies Treats; both are low in fat, but high in sugar and offer little in terms of vitamins and minerals.

A gram-for-gram comparison between Quaker Chewy Trail Mix bars and 3 Musketeers candy bars suggests that although the Quaker bar has slightly more protein and significantly less sugar, the two have very similar caloric, total carbohydrate and fat contents.

Of course, some bars offer better nutritional value than others. Although athletes generally consider PowerBars a carb-booster -- the chocolate peanut butter flavor offers about 45 grams of carbohydrates, 20 of them from sugar -- they also have a fair amount of protein: about 10 grams, the equivalent of a cup of yogurt. That could be helpful information for the healthy-snack set.