Are Belvita Bars a healthy snack option?
No, BelVita Biscuits are not a healthy snack option overall due to the presence of processed vegetable oil, refined flour, and around 9 to 13 grams of added sugar per serving.
Continue reading to find out more and check your knowledge!
Ingredients to be cautious about
- Processed vegetable oil
- Processed flour
- Added sugar
- Enriched flour
- Canola oil
- Palm oil
Possible short-term side effects
- Possible digestive disturbances
- Increased blood sugar levels
- Elevated triglyceride levels
- Increased risk of inflammation
- Weight gain
Possible long-term side effects
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Inflammation
- High blood pressure
- Insulin resistance
- Metabolic syndrome
- Liver disease
- Increased risk of cancer
- Cognitive decline
Healthy alternatives
- Fresh fruit
- Vegetable sticks
- Plain yogurt
- Whole grain crackers
- Nuts and seeds
Did you know...? š¤
Are Belvita Bars a healthy snack option?
Do Belvita Bars contain artificial flavors?
Are Belvita Bars gluten-free?
Related videos
Belvita Biscuits are marketed as having āNo high-fructose corn syrup, no partially hydrogenated oils, and no artificial flavors or sweetenersāā¦ Sounds healthy, right? But today, letās take a deeper look. Are belVita Biscuits truly good for you?
BelVita Biscuits contain healthy whole grains like rolled oats and whole wheat flour. However, they also have processed vegetable oil, processed flour, and around 9 to 13 grams of added sugar per serving. Therefore, BelVita Biscuits are not the healthiest choice overall.
Below, weāll look at belVita nutrition in detail. Weāll analyze the ingredients, sugar, protein, fiber, sodium, and more. Weāll see how belVita Biscuits compare to Nutri-Grain Bars, Nature Valley Bars, and other popular brands. And Iāll suggest some good alternatives, too!
Are belVita Biscuits Good for You?
Below are the 7 questions Iāve answered about belVita Biscuit nutrition. Click to skip to any section, or keep reading for the full analysis:
- What Are BelVita Biscuits Made Of?
- Are BelVita Biscuits High in Sugar?
- Are BelVita Biscuits High in Protein?
- Are BelVita Biscuits High in Fiber?
- Are BelVita Biscuits High in Sodium?
- Are BelVita Biscuits Good For Weight Loss?
- Are BelVita Biscuits Vegan?
1. What Are BelVita Biscuits Made Of?
Letās start by looking at the ingredients. There are many kinds of belVita Biscuits, but weāll be looking at 3 popular flavors as a sample.
Iāll share my takeaways below the table:
belVita Biscuit Flavor | Ingredients |
---|---|
Blueberry Breakfast Biscuits | Whole Grain Blend (Rolled Oats, Rye Flakes), Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid), Canola Oil, Sugar, Whole Grain Wheat Flour, Evaporated Canesugar, Dried Blueberries, Malt Syrup (From Corn And Barley), Invertsugar, Baking Soda, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Disodium Pyrophosphate, Natural Flavor, Datem, Blueberry Juice Concentrate, Ferric Orthophosphate (Iron), Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1). |
Banana Bread Soft-Baked Biscuits | Whole Grain Blend (Cracked Buckwheat, Rolled Oats, Rye Flakes), Enriched Bleached Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid], Canola Oil, Sugar, Whole Grain Wheat Flour, Raisin Paste, Polydextrose, Banana Puree, Wheat Starch, Glycerin, Invert Sugar, Cornstarch, Molasses, Baking Soda, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Natural Flavor, Ferric Orthophosphate (Iron), Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1). |
Cinnamon Brown Sugar with Vanilla Creme (Sandwich) | Whole Grain Wheat Flour, Enriched Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid], Sugar, Canola Oil, Palm Oil, Whole Grain Blend (Rolled Oats, Rye Flakes), Brown Sugar, Wheat Starch, Polydextrose, Malt Syrup (From Corn And Barley), Oligofructose, Soy Lecithin, Baking Soda, Salt, Disodium Pyrophosphate, Cinnamon, Natural Flavor, Datem, Ferric Orthophosphate (Iron), Niacinamide, Molasses, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1). |
Hereās what I notice about these ingredients:
- belVita Biscuits are made with whole grains and refined flour. belVita Biscuits contain whole grain oats and whole wheat flour. However, those healthy whole grains are mixed with āenriched flour,ā which is more processed. So, the grains are a mix of good and bad.
- belVita Biscuits have added sugar and other sweeteners. Depending on the flavor, these can include sugar, evaporated cane sugar, malt syrup, invert sugar, and molasses. belVita bars also have other potentially high-glycemic index ingredients, like enriched flour and fruit concentrates and purees. This could potentially cause blood-sugar spikes.
- belVita Biscuits contain vegetable oil. Most flavors have canola oil. Some also have palm oil. These oils are highly processed, high in calories, and relatively low in nutrients.
- belVita Biscuits do have a little real fruit. Although most of the sweetness in belVita Biscuits come from added sugar, there is some real fruit concentrate, juices, or fruit puree in belVita Biscuits. (The exact ingredients depend on the flavor.)
Overall, BelVita bars have a mix of healthy and unhealthy ingredients. They do have some healthy whole grainsābut they also have processed sugars, processed flour, and oil. Personally, Iām not that impressed so far. But letās keep going.
Related Questions:
- Do belVita Biscuits have high fructose corn syrup? BelVita Biscuits do not contain high fructose corn syrup. However, they do have added sugar, along with various other processed sweeteners and high-glycemic ingredients, depending on the flavor.
2. Are BelVita Biscuits High in Sugar?
BelVita Biscuits have around 9 to 13 grams of sugar per serving, which is moderately high for bars of this type and size. Most of that is added sugar, not fruit sugar.
Here is a table showing the ātotal sugarā in several belVita Biscuits flavors:
belVita Biscuit Flavor | Sugar (Per Pack) |
---|---|
Blueberry Breakfast Biscuits | 13g |
Banana Bread Soft-Baked Biscuits | 9g |
Cinnamon Brown Sugar with Vanilla Creme (Sandwich) | 13g |
But how does this sugar content compare to other popular energy bars, breakfast bars, and so on?
One pack of belVita Biscuits has:
- Less total sugar than Clif Bars (17 to 21g per bar)
- Less or similar total sugar than Larabars (13 to 20g per bar)
- Less or similar total sugar than RXBARs (13 to 18g per bar)
- Less or similar total sugar than GoMacro Bars (10 to 15g per bar)
- Similar total sugar as Nutri-Grain Bars (12 to 13g per bar)
- Similar or more total sugar than Nature Valley Bars (6 to 12g per serving)
- Similar or more total sugar than Kashi Bars (5 to 11g per serving)
- More total sugar than Quaker Chewy Bars (5 to 7g per bar)
- More total sugar than Kind Bars (5g in many bars)
Disclaimer: All these numbers may vary depending on the specific products, countries, and other variations. Also, the source of sugar may differ (fruit vs processed sugar). Do your own research to confirm the sugar content youāre happy with.
Overall, I consider belVita Biscuits to have moderately high sugar. I would limit my portion sizes with BelVita Biscuits for this reason. Personally, Iāve found that sugar consumption can worsen my acne. That said, your personal needs and preferences may differ.
Now what about protein?
3. Are BelVita Biscuits High in Protein?
Most belVita Biscuits only have 3 or 4 grams of protein per bar. That is quite low compared to actual protein bars, which often have 10 to 20 grams per bar.
Most of the calories in belVita Biscuits come from carbs, with the second-most coming from fat. Protein is a relatively minor component. There are no ingredients in belVita Biscuits that are particularly high in proteināno protein isolates, and not even many nuts.
Here is a table showing the protein in various belVita Biscuit flavors:
belVita Biscuit Flavor | Protein (Per Pack) |
---|---|
Blueberry Breakfast Biscuits | 4g |
Banana Bread Soft-Baked Biscuits | 3g |
Cinnamon Brown Sugar with Vanilla Creme (Sandwich) | 3g |
If youāre trying to eat a high-protein diet, youāll find other bars and snacks with far more protein. Here are two vegan options I like with 20 grams of protein in each bar:
- Clif Builderās Bars
- No Cow Bars (low-carb vegan)
4. Are BelVita Biscuits High in Fiber?
Most belVita Biscuits have only 3 or 4 grams of dietary fiber per bar. This is moderate fiber content when compared to other kinds of energy bars, granola bars, and whole-grain snacks.
Fiber is really one of the key nutrients that many people today donāt get enough of. Granola bars and energy bars usually have a few grams of fiber, due to the whole grains usedābut it can really differ by brand.
Hereās a table showing the fiber content of belVita Biscuits:
belVita Biscuit Flavor | Fiber (Per Pack) |
---|---|
Blueberry Breakfast Biscuits | 3g |
Banana Bread Soft-Baked Biscuits | 4g |
Cinnamon Brown Sugar with Vanilla Creme (Sandwich) | 3g |
How does this compare to other brands?
Well, BelVita Biscuits are significantly higher in fiber than Nutri-Grain Bars (1g per bar). They are similar in fiber content to Kashiās breakfast bars (3g per bar). They are also similar to whole-grain crackers like Triscuits (3g of fiber per serving).
So, BelVita does okay in terms of fiber. But you could definitely get more fiber if you chose a fully whole-grain breakfast option, rather than a mix of whole grains and processed sugar like you get with BelVita.
Looking for a sign that itās time to take charge of your diet? This is it. Watch the Food or Health Masterclassācompletely freeāand discover the 10 surprising nutrition breakthroughs everyone should know. Reserve your free spot here!
5. Are BelVita Biscuits High in Sodium?
The belVita Biscuits I checked have between 120mg and 210mg of sodium per serving, depending on the flavor. This is moderate to slightly high sodium for such breakfast bars.
Here is a table showing the specific sodium content for many belVita Biscuit flavors:
belVita Biscuit Flavor | Sodium (Per Pack) |
---|---|
Blueberry Breakfast Biscuits | 210mg |
Banana Bread Soft-Baked Biscuits | 120mg |
Cinnamon Brown Sugar with Vanilla Creme (Sandwich) | 120mg |
Many other salted snacks, such as pretzels, chips, or salted nuts have around 100mg to 150mg of sodium per serving. So these BelVita sodium levels are nothing crazy. Itās not much compared to frozen dinners or canned soup.
For reference: The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to 2,300mg per day. But they are āmoving toward an ideal limitā of only 1,500mg per day. That would still be over 7 servings of BelVita Biscuits of any flavor. So, BelVita Biscuits are not that horrible when it comes to sodium.
If you want an energy bar that is lower in sodium, take a look at Larabars. Even the highest-sodium flavor only has 90mg of sodium per bar, and many flavors are completely salt-free.
6. Are BelVita Biscuits Good For Weight Loss?
BelVita bars are not the best for weight loss, as they have several high-calorie and processed ingredients like added sugar, enriched flour, and vegetable oil. They are also somewhat low in protein, so they may be less filling than other bars. But BelVita Biscuits can still be eaten on a diet.
Remember: The most important thing for weight loss is your total calorie balance. And if you want to make weight loss easier, the best things to eat are foods with a low calorie density.
Low-calorie-density foods are typically high in fiber and water. Think vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans. They fill up your stomach and help you feel full on fewer calories. (Protein also helps you feel more full.)
Most BelVita Biscuits have 3 or 4 grams of fiber per bar, which is moderate. But their protein content is a little low, at just 3 or 4 grams per bar, too.
Most BelVita Biscuits flavors have around 200 to 230 calories per serving. That is higher than Kashi Bars or Chewy Bars, but still not anything too crazy. So if you want to have a belVita Biscuit from time to time, itās not going to ruin your diet.
In general, one food will not make or break your diet. Portion sizes and total calorie balance are often the most important factors when trying to lose weight.
Related Questions:
- Are BelVita Biscuits good for weight gain? BelVita Biscuits can be used for weight gain if they are eaten as part of an overall calorie surplus. But your overall daily and weekly calorie balance is what really matters. To make BelVita Biscuits higher in calories, you can add peanut butter or other calorie-rich spreads.
Does nutrition ever seem confusing? It doesnāt have to be. Learn how simple (and delicious) healthy eating can be in the FREE Food for Health Masterclass. This 1-hour presentation makes things clearāfinally. Click here to reserve your free spot!
7. Are BelVita Biscuits Vegan?
Most BelVita Biscuits are vegan. However, some flavors of the soft-baked BelVita Biscuits contain milk, eggs, or honey. These non-vegan BelVita Biscuit flavors are Protein Blueberry Almond; Protein Oats, Honey, & Chocolate; and Oats & Chocolate.
As a vegan of 14 years, Iāve tried many breakfast bars, granola bars, energy bars, and protein bars. While BelVita Biscuits have been part of that mix, they are not my favorite, due to the high added sugar and low protein.
Here are some of the most interesting bars Iāve found as a vegan:
- Larabars ā Mostly fruit and nuts, very simple ingredients and whole food based.
- Clif Builderās Bars ā High protein and very delicious, but it is high in sugar.
- No Cow Bars ā Low-carb and high-protein.
Two More Recommendations for Your Plant-Based Journey
1. This is the best free video training Iāve found on plant-based nutrition. Youāll learn how to reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimerās, and obesityāall with plant-based food. Watch the free āFood for Health Masterclassā here.
2. This is theĀ best vegan multivitamin Iāve foundĀ in my 14 years of being vegan.Ā It has vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3āand nothing else. Translation: It only has the nutrients vegans areĀ actually low in. Read myĀ full review of Future Kindās multivitamin hereĀ (with 10% discount).