Looking for guilt-free convenience in the shape of a small processed bar? Then you have likely tried the vast array of dry nutrition or energy bars from the chocolate bar counter of your local store. But rarely do they taste nearly as good as their cocoa counterpart, or, are they always a healthy alternative. The promise of a low-carb meal replacement or a sugar-free energy booster may just be another marketing grab.

One nutrition bar definitely differs greatly from the next so be aware of what the ingredients are and the health composition of each bar. Check the label. Some contain more carbohydrates, sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fats than you would think. Nutrition bars do contain more protein than snack bars (granola) and chocolate bars; they are also much larger than the latter.

But some company nutrition claims on product labels were somewhat inaccurate, a recent US consumer study showed. So you may want to do your own research if you often depend on nutrition bars for a quick meal fix.

Although many of these bars are actually good for you, few offer great taste. You may want to stick to a healthy daily dose of fruit instead. And keep in mind the higher-fiber bars can be harder to swallow. Having a liquid “chaser” at hand is mandatory, not optional.