Is Larabar Healthy? The Heavy Metal Problem in 'Simple' Food

The Short Answer

Use with caution. If you judge food solely by the ingredient list, Larabars are nearly perfect—just dates, nuts, and spices. But if you look at what's actually in the food (toxins and heavy metals), the picture gets ugly.

Recent independent testing in July 2024 flagged the Lemon flavor for unsafe lead levels, and date-based bars are notoriously prone to heavy metal contamination because dates sequester lead and cadmium from the soil. Additionally, while the sugar is "natural," a single bar delivers 17–20g of sugar, which is metabolically identical to eating a few tablespoons of table sugar. They are better than a Snickers, but they are not a health food to eat every day.

Why This Matters

"Simple" doesn't mean "Clean." Larabar built an empire on the premise that fewer ingredients = healthier food. And for processed additives, that's true. You won't find gums, lecithins, or preservatives here.

However, the source of those ingredients matters. Larabars are not organic. This means the almonds and dates—which make up nearly 100% of the bar—are grown in conventional soil often treated with pesticides. Furthermore, the deep root systems of date palms and cacao plants are excellent at absorbing heavy metals like lead and cadmium from the soil. When you concentrate those fruits into a dense bar, you concentrate the metals too.

What's Actually In Larabar

The ingredient lists are refreshingly short. Most bars contain just 2–6 ingredients.

• Dates — The glue that holds the bar together. They provide fiber and potassium but are the primary source of the massive 17–20g sugar load. Is Fruit Sugar Bad
• Nuts (Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts, Peanuts) — Provide healthy fats and some protein. Since they are not organic, they may contain pesticide residues.
• "Natural Flavor" — Found in fruit flavors like Lemon, Lime, and Blueberry. This is the one "processed" cheat in their otherwise whole-food lineup.
• Chocolate Chips — Found in indulgent flavors. These contain added cane sugar, unlike the fruit-only bars. Is Dark Chocolate Healthy

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• Short Ingredient List: You can identify everything.
• No Preservatives: No BHT, no tocopherols, no sodium benzoate.
• Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: Safe for most allergy sufferers (except nut allergies).

Red Flags:

• High Heavy Metal Risk: Specifically Lead and Cadmium in date/chocolate varieties.
• Natural Flavors: Used in citrus/berry bars to boost taste.
• Non-Organic: High risk of glyphosate and pesticide exposure.
• Sugar Bomb: 18g of sugar is a lot for a snack, even if it comes from fruit.

The Best (and Worst) Options

If you eat Larabars, stick to the simplest nut-based ones and avoid the flavors flagged for toxins.

The Bottom Line

1. Treat it like a treat. With ~20g of sugar, this is a dessert or high-intensity fuel, not a desk snack.

2. Avoid the Lemon flavor. Recent testing suggests it has higher lead contamination than others.

3. Rotate your bars. Don't eat these every day. The heavy metal accumulation from daily consumption of dates and almonds can add up.

4. Consider organic alternatives. If you want a date-nut bar, making your own with organic ingredients is the only way to significantly lower the pesticide risk.

FAQ

Are Larabars processed?

Technically, yes, but minimally. They are cold-pressed, meaning the ingredients are ground and pressed together without baking. This preserves the nutrients better than baked bars, but they are still a concentrated source of calories and sugar.

Do Larabars have added sugar?

Most do not. Flavors like Cashew Cookie and Apple Pie have 0g added sugar; all the sweetness comes from dates. However, any flavor with chocolate chips (like Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip) contains cane sugar.

Why do Larabars have a lead warning?

Date palms and cacao trees absorb heavy metals from the soil. Because Larabars are made almost entirely of these two ingredients, they are susceptible to lead and cadmium contamination. This is a common issue for many "natural" bar brands, not just Larabar, but recent tests specifically flagged Larabar's Lemon flavor.

Are Larabars good for weight loss?

Generally, no. They are calorie-dense (200+ calories) and sugar-heavy, which can spike insulin and lead to hunger crashes later. They are better suited for hikers or athletes who need quick, easily digestible energy. Granola Bar Vs Protein Bar

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