USANA: Sugars in the Nutritional Bars

Here’s a reply we received from Usana Science Information Services concerning the sugars used in our bars and shakes, should others receive inquiries. Deanna Waters, Diamond Director, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

We appreciate your inquiry. I'm sure they thought they were being helpful with all the sugar information, but it was definitely not necessary. We also understand very well the benefits and issues with fructose as a sweetener. It is the primary sweetener in the drink mixes. Bars are a little different than dry mixes, however, so what works in one doesn't always work in the other.

The syrups - maltitol syrup, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, etc., work much better in a bar that you want to maintain as moist as possible. Either way, they could have saved a lot of work in researching this had they simply looked at the Glycemic Index numbers on the side of the product boxes, labels, etc.

The following statement is true: "When sugar is coupled with high fiber, it enters the blood stream slower. The bar only has 2g of fiber. Consuming carbohydrates along with other foods (especially those high in fiber) could change the rate of absorption of the sugar." However, this statement was intended to imply that our bar would be high glycemic (due to a low fiber level). It is not high, of course, but very low at 26 which is lower than that of kidney beans or lentils. Although fiber influences the GI, protein and fat also have a very strong influence on the rate of digestion. It is the entire combination of macronutrients and how they are combined that keep the GI of the Peanut Butter Crunch bar (and other macro-optimizers) so low.

I have used an apple to explain the sugar content of the Nutrimeals. A small 3 oz apple has approximately 23 grams of carbohydrates, with more than half as simple sugars. The Oatmeal Raisin bar would provide similar total carbs, sugar and fiber as a typical apple. Unlike the apple, however, it has 10 times more protein and a little healthy fat. The Peanut Butter Crunch and Lemon Bar have less carbs and sugar than a typical apple.

I hope this is helpful.

Best Regards,

Russ Barton, MS, CNS, CISSN
USANA Science Information Services