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"12:30 p.m. Time for Wasa crackers, slightly sweaty cheese, salami, cucumber, and mustard. I don’t want to eat it, but I’m too hungry not to. I don’t feel full and I keep slicing, taking a generous amount of cheese and salami from tomorrow’s rations, knowing that we’ll be heading out of the woods by midafternoon. I finish lunch with my peanut butter dark chocolate Kate’s bar."

We like the brands Kate’s Real Food and Made Good.. They've been able to create appealing products without loading them up with undesirable ingredients. Instead, the companies use organic wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts and honey. Kate's Real Food launched a new organic plant-based protein bar line that's rich in fiber, healthy fats and antioxidants and uses honey rather than processed sweeteners, while Made Good adds organic ground veggies.

Michelle McAndrews, vice president of marketing and ecommerce at Kate’s Real Food, said her company has navigated the ups and downs of the market by adapting the business as needed while sticking to the company’s core values.

“Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about the future of the bar market and our role within it,” she said. “As consumer demand for nutritious, convenient snacks continues to grow, we’re confident that our organic snack brand will continue to thrive by staying true to our values, listening to our customers and embracing change as an opportunity for growth.”

Beckerman recommends Kate's Real Food Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Bars instead. They are made from whole foods and contain fiber from dried fruit, oats, rice crisps, and flaxseed, which is important for digestion and gut health.

Whether enjoyed as part of breakfast or a quick snack, granola bars have become a popular food item. Similar to cereals, many options are available, some of which leave much to be desired nutritionally. Granola bars are highly processed foods, many of which contain added sugar, artificial flavors and colors, and preservatives like BHT. One study noted an increased risk of metabolic syndrome related to the intake of processed, sugary foods, including granola and cereal bars.

“We craft each recipe with organic, wholesome ingredients, carefully selected for their nutritional value and quality,” said Michelle McAndrews, vice president of marketing and ecommerce at Kate’s Real Food. “From nutrient-rich nuts and seeds to True Source Certified honey, every ingredient is thoughtfully selected to provide essential nutrients and energy to fuel our customers’ adventures, big and small.”

Organic snack-bar brand Kate’s Real Food is pushing into the travel channel with a deal to sell its product in Amtrak cars in the coming months, as it delivers on demand for high protein with a new product line.