There are dozens of bars and granolas on store shelves today it's overwhelming just to keep up! As a parent, we know that you want to provide the best for your child every single day and that includes feeding them healthy snacks. There's always that brand that you or your child reach for when it comes time to grocery shopping, but do you know what every ingredient actually is?

Pectin? Thiamine Hyrdochloride? Natural flavors? Niacinamide?

Any of these ingredients cause you to go "What the heck is that?!" or make you feel uneasy.

Have no fear! Well, at least not so much as did when you first read them. I recently researched more about some of the nation's best-selling snacks for kids and am here to advise you on what these questionable ingredients actually are and what purpose they serve.

I looked at the three following bars and here's what I found:

MADEGOOD Chocolate Banana Granola Bar

Organic, made with veggies + nut-free

Sugar content: 7g/0.85oz

Brown Rice Syrup

It's derived from brown rice and contains a high arsenic content. When processed, brown rice syrup is almost completely composed of glucose--meaning lots of sugar! Technically speaking, there's just about no difference in arsenic levels between organic and conventional varieties, so be aware! It's high glycemic index score of 98 out of 100 is a good enough reason to stay away from brown rice syrup by all means.

Cane Sugar

Also known as evaporated sugar or whole cane sugar, cane sugar is composed of molasses and minerals and is a lot more coarse than granulated sugar due to its processing. Although it's unrefined and better than most other sugars on the market, it works the same way as other sweeteners causing insulin levels to rise with excessive intake.

Earth's Best Organic Sunny Days Snack Bars

Source of iron, calcium + zinc

Sugar content: 6g/0.67oz

Cyanocobalamin

This ingredient is a synthetic form of Vitamin B12. Like some other ingredients, our bodies cannot break it down naturally or quickly. The prefix "cyan" refers to the cyanide production as a result of our digestion process. Thankfully, this form of B12 is not harmful to our bodies and actually provides us with a necessary dose of B12, especially in those who are vitamin B12 deficient.

Folic Acid

Commonly known as a synthetic form of folate, folic acid helps our bowels to continue absorbing nutrients and minerals from the foods we eat. Folic acid aids our bodies in producing red blood cells and forming DNA as well. Along with the many skin and hair benefits that folic acid provides, it's presence in foods is not dangerous.

KIND Healthy Grains Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt

Gluten-free + GMO-free

Sugar content: 5g/1.2oz

Gum acacia

Also referred to as "acacia gum" or "gum arabic", gum acacia is a natural gum made of hardened sap derived from the acacia tree. This ingredient is a dietary fiber that's soluble in water and easily digestible in our bodies. Studies have shown that gum acacia can have effects on lowering body mass index, potentially serving as a source for weight loss.

Natural Flavors

Legally speaking, the FDA defines natural flavors in complex terms. To simplify things, natural flavors are synthetic flavorings derived from fruits, veggies, plant materials, animal products and dairy-based ingredients whose sole function is flavoring. Simplified even more, there is a big threshold in regards to what can be considered a "natural flavor", so be skeptical every time you see it listed!

Next time your instincts tell you to reach for your favorite brands, stop and think again. It pays to read nutrition facts and ingredient labels in order to live a healthy and clean life. You owe it to you and your family. Double check those labels before you take out your wallet!

in love,

Kiki