Cascadian Farm Organic Chewy Granola Fruit and Nut Bars

I decided to try these bars because they were two for one at my local grocery store. Having a preschooler, there are times where I need something quick and easy to give her when we are on the go and she wants a snack.

What are they and what is in them?

Firstly, I love the fact that the Cascadian Farm Organic Granola bars are organic, or made with ingredients which are free of pesticides or chemicals. I really that I can pronounce all the ingredients and that the bars contain no high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils. The granola bars are fairly low in fat, 4 grams for the whole bar, but they don't contain a lot of protein, and are not very nutrient rich. They are fairly low in sugar, 12 grams for one chewy fruit and nut bar, which for a child's snack is decent. There are allergy concerns, as the Cascadian Farm bars contain nuts, seeds, and soy. They do not however, contain wheat so they would probably work for people on a gluten free or wheat free diet provided one is able to eat oats.

How do they taste?

I really liked them. They were a bit sticky but that is to be expected in a chewy granola bar. I found the sweetness to be just right, unlike other granola bars on the market which contain high fructose corn syrup. There was a hint of saltiness too which will definitely appeal to those who crave a sweet and salty flavor combination. I found that Cascadian Farm is not stingy with their fruit and nuts, I tasted them in every bite! The combination of raisins and dried cranberries added a sweet and tangy zing, while the crisp rice added a bit of crunch.

What did my daughter think?

She liked them, but three year olds can be very particular indeed. She ate most of the bar, but she did spit out the cranberries, I think they were too tart for her but that is not Cascadian Farm's fault! I think next time I will try another variety for my daughter. Cascadian Farm makes chocolate chip, peanut butter, vanilla chip, harvest berry, and multi-grain varieties of the Organic Chewy Granola Bars, so there are many to choose from to suit your and your child's tastes.

How much are they and where can I find them?

They are a bit pricy compared to their counterparts but keep in mind you do get what you pay for with Cascadian Farm. Cascadian Farm can be found at virtually every healthfood store and many supermarket chains.

Bottom line:

These granola bars are not a snack I would give my daughter every day due to the sugar content and lack of nutritional punch. However, keeping a box in the car sure comes in handy when we are running errands and she wants a snack. Overall, I would recommend them