Are fruit snacks and granola bars healthy?

Granola bars and fruit snacks are favourite snack foods but how healthy they are depending greatly. Most of the commercially available fruit snacks or granola bars have excessive levels of added sugars, artificial flavouring, preservatives, and unsaturated fats, decreasing their dietary value and can lead to conditions like obesity, dental caries, and hyperactivity in kids. While some brands have versions with natural ingredients, whole dried fruits, nuts, and few additives, parents must read labels carefully on ingredient listings and nutritional information before buying. Homemade fruit snacks or granola bars are best, since parents have control over sugar levels and can add wholesome ingredients such as oats, nuts, seeds, and fresh or dried fruits. Fruit snacks must not be used to replace fresh whole fruit, which contains fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants in a natural state. Granola bars must be regarded as an occasional snack instead of a regular food to make sure that children are given a balanced diet containing plenty of fresh foods and very few processed foods.