Healthy Habit: What's in Your Fiber Bar?

Consider this: nearly one-quarter of residents consume protein and fiber bars to boost energy on the go. But these products could be mislabeled or harmful. 

According to Jack Oswald, CEO of microFood producer ISOThrive [http://isot.us/PH20] and co-author of a recent study on the potential mislabeling of soluble fiber products [http://isot.us/fiber], many of these bars aren't walking their talk.

Important findings include: 

>> THE "FIBER" YOU'RE PROMISED ISN'T ALL FIBER
Many "high-fiber" protein bars contain an industrially produced ingredient that contains less than 20% of the listed fiber—meaning you're not getting the amount of fiber you're promised.

>> YOU MAY UNWITTINGLY BE EATING SUGAR
The biggest hidden ingredient in industrially-produced "fiber"? Digestible sugar. In addition to a protein or energy bump, this secret saccharide could be giving you an unexpected sugar boost.

>> THESE BARS CAN ACTUALLY BE DANGEROUS
If you're diabetic or epileptic and on a special diet, consuming so much unlabeled sugar presents a serious health risk. 

It's difficult to locate a "high-fiber" product that doesn't include these ingredients, because they're often hidden on the label as prebiotic "corn fiber" or "tapioca fiber." Without stronger regulations on labeling, consumers often don't know what they're getting. To date, the study authors have only identified one prominent bar manufacturer that recognized the potential harm of these ingredients and made a switch.