We compared 7 popular granola bars based on dietitians' health advice - here's how they stack up

Granola bars are by no means the ideal food - most nutritionists agree that it's best to snack on less processed food like a piece of fruit or handful of nuts instead.

But for those times when you really want to grab a bar on the go, we asked two registered dietitians for some advice about how to pick a relatively healthy option.

Torey Armul, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Sharon Palmer, the author of Plant-Powered for Life, suggested a few simple rules to follow.

Here's what they recommend, and how seven popular bars stack up.