Truelabel

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Oatmeal Raisin

by Pepsico

Heavily processed granola bar masquerading as healthy with 4 different sugar sources, inflammatory soybean oil, and concerning preservatives. Despite whole grain oats, this is essentially candy with a health halo.

  • Whole Grain Rolled Oats – beneficial · Excellent source of beta-glucan fiber which helps lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar.
  • Brown Sugar – controversial · Refined sugar with minimal molasses content, contributes to blood sugar spikes and metabolic stress.
  • Rice Flour – safe · Processed rice flour used for texture, neutral ingredient with minimal nutritional value.
  • Sugar – dangerous · Refined white sugar appears multiple times in ingredient list, major contributor to metabolic dysfunction.
  • Salt – safe · Sodium chloride for taste enhancement, acceptable levels in this context.
  • Malted Barley Extract – safe · Natural enzyme source that adds mild sweetness and helps with browning.
  • Whole Grain Rolled Wheat – safe · Provides fiber and some B vitamins, though processed into flakes.
  • Soybean Oil – dangerous · Highly processed omega-6 rich oil that promotes inflammation and oxidizes easily during processing.
  • Whole Wheat Flour – safe · Contains more nutrients than refined flour but still processed and glycemic.
  • Sodium Bicarbonate – safe · Baking soda used as leavening agent, chemically neutral.
  • Soy Lecithin – controversial · Emulsifier derived from soybeans, often from GMO sources but generally considered safe.
  • Caramel Color – controversial · Artificial coloring that may contain 4-MEI, a potential carcinogen formed during ammonia processing.
  • Nonfat Dry Milk – safe · Provides protein and calcium but from conventional dairy sources.
  • Corn Syrup – dangerous · High-fructose processed sweetener that bypasses normal satiety mechanisms and promotes fat storage.
  • Whole Grain Brown Rice – safe · Less processed rice form with more nutrients, though still contributes to glycemic load.
  • Malted Barley Flour – safe · Enzyme-active flour that provides mild sweetness and improves texture.
  • Raisins – beneficial · Dried grapes providing antioxidants, potassium, and natural sweetness along with fiber.
  • Enriched Flour – controversial · Processed white flour with synthetic vitamins added back, lacks original nutrients and fiber.
  • Niacin – safe · B vitamin added during flour enrichment, essential nutrient.
  • Reduced Iron – safe · Iron fortification in enriched flour, necessary mineral.
  • Thiamin Mononitrate – safe · Synthetic form of vitamin B1 used in fortification.
  • Riboflavin – safe · Vitamin B2 added during enrichment process.
  • Folic Acid – safe · Synthetic folate used in flour fortification.
  • Palm Oil – controversial · Saturated fat that's stable but often sourced unsustainably and may be pro-inflammatory.
  • Cinnamon – beneficial · Spice with antioxidant properties and potential blood sugar benefits.
  • Corn Syrup Solids – dangerous · Concentrated corn syrup in powder form, highly processed sweetener.
  • Glycerin – safe · Humectant that maintains moisture, generally recognized as safe.
  • Invert Sugar – controversial · Processed sugar syrup that's sweeter than regular sugar and rapidly absorbed.
  • Sorbitol – safe · Sugar alcohol that may cause digestive upset in sensitive individuals.
  • Calcium Carbonate – safe · Mineral supplement providing calcium, though synthetic form.
  • Fructose – controversial · Simple sugar that bypasses insulin regulation and directly promotes liver fat storage.
  • Molasses – safe · Less processed sugar byproduct with some minerals, though still high glycemic.
  • Natural and Artificial Flavor – controversial · Undefined flavor compounds that may include hundreds of chemicals.
  • Creamed Coconut – beneficial · Natural coconut product providing medium-chain fatty acids.
  • BHT – controversial · Synthetic antioxidant preservative linked to potential hormone disruption and carcinogenic concerns.
  • Water – safe · Water used in processing.
  • Citric Acid – safe · Natural acid used as preservative and flavor enhancer.

Contains whole grain oats

Some fiber content

Includes antioxidant-rich raisins

Provides some B vitamins

6 different sugar sources

Inflammatory soybean oil

Ultra-processed

BHT preservative

Caramel coloring

High glycemic impact

Misleading health marketing