Quick Answer
Some Nature Valley granola bars contain dairy ingredients like milk or whey, while others are dairy-free. You need to read the ingredient list for each specific variety to know if it contains dairy.
In-Depth Answer
Nature Valley offers a wide variety of granola bars with different ingredients. Some popular varieties like Nature Valley Oats ‘n Honey Granola Bars contain milk chocolate and therefore are not dairy-free. However, Nature Valley does offer some granola bar options that are labeled dairy-free and do not contain milk, milk derivatives like whey, or any other dairy ingredients.
Granola Bars with Dairy
Here are some examples of Nature Valley granola bars that contain dairy ingredients:
- Nature Valley Oats ‘n Honey Granola Bars – Contain milk chocolate
- Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars – Contain milk chocolate
- Nature Valley Maple Brown Sugar Granola Bars – Contain whey
- Nature Valley Fruit & Nut Chewy Trail Mix Granola Bars – Contain whey
- Nature Valley Soft-Baked Oatmeal Squares – Contain whey and milk
As you can see, the main dairy ingredients used in Nature Valley’s granola bars are milk chocolate, whey, and milk. Whey is a milk derivative obtained during the cheese making process.
Dairy-Free Granola Bars
Nature Valley does offer some granola bar varieties that are labeled dairy-free and do not contain milk, whey, or any other dairy ingredients. Here are some examples:
- Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars – Oats & Honey
- Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Protein Chewy Bars
- Nature Valley Roasted Nut Crunch Bars
- Nature Valley Quinoa Crunchy Granola Bars
- Nature Valley Dark Chocolate Nature Valley Nut Granola Bars
- Nature Valley Peanut Butter Creamy & Crunchy Granola Bars
Always check the ingredient label on the specific Nature Valley granola bar variety to confirm it is dairy-free. The main things to look for are: milk, milk chocolate, whey, lactose, casein and other milk derivatives. If none of those ingredients are listed, the granola bar should be dairy-free.
Are Nature Valley Granola Bars Vegan?
While some Nature Valley granola bars are dairy-free, not all varieties are vegan. Vegan diets exclude all animal products, not just dairy. Some Nature Valley bars contain ingredients like honey or egg whites, which would make them non-vegan. You need to check the ingredients list of each specific granola bar variety to determine if it is vegan or not. The dairy-free options listed above provide a good starting point, but you need to confirm no other animal-derived ingredients are included.
Nature Valley Granola Bars Nutrition Facts
Here is a table comparing the nutrition facts for 1 package (2 bars, around 35g) of some popular Nature Valley granola bar varieties:
| Granola Bar Variety | Calories | Total Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oats ‘n Honey | 180 | 7g | 25g | 3g |
| Sweet & Salty Nut | 190 | 10g | 21g | 3g |
| Roasted Nut Crunch | 170 | 8g | 24g | 3g |
| Quinoa Crunchy | 190 | 5g | 29g | 4g |
As you can see, most Nature Valley granola bars provide around 170-190 calories per serving with 3-4g of protein and 24-29g of carbs depending on the variety. They get most of their calories from the oats, nuts, honey, and dried fruit in the recipes. The sweetened varieties also contain added sugars like brown sugar or chocolate, increasing the calorie content.
Benefits of Nature Valley Granola Bars
Some benefits of eating Nature Valley granola bars in moderation include:
- Convenient, portable snack
- Provide energy from complex carbs and fiber
- Contain nuts and whole grains for protein and nutrients
- Low sodium and low cholesterol
- Varieties with chocolate can provide antioxidants
However, moderation is key, as they can be high in added sugar when flavored with chocolate, honey, or brown sugar. Stick to 1-2 bars per day and focus on the options with fewer processed ingredients.
Alternatives to Nature Valley Granola Bars
If you are looking for granola bars without dairy or refined sugars, here are some healthy alternatives to consider:
- LARABAR Uber Bars
- RXBAR Whole Food Protein Bars
- Pure Organic Layered Granola Bars
- Simple Mills Soft-Baked Granola Bars
- Quest Nutrition Protein Bars
- NuGo Slim Protein Bars
These options tend to have fewer processed ingredients and added sugars. Always check the label to confirm they don’t contain milk, whey or other dairy derivatives if you need a dairy-free option.
The Bottom Line
Some Nature Valley granola bars contain milk, whey, or milk chocolate so are not dairy-free. But they offer several varieties that are labeled dairy-free and do not contain milk, whey, or other dairy ingredients. Just be sure to check the ingredient list, as dairy is included in some of Nature Valley’s most popular flavors. Nature Valley granola bars can provide a convenient snack in moderation, but there are also healthier granola bar alternatives without artificial colors or sweeteners.