Consumer Perception of Innovative Fruit and Cereal Bars-Current and Future Perspectives.

The aim of the study was to ascertain consumers' interest in innovative fruit and cereal bars and their expectations of changes that could be applied by manufacturers to improve their health-promoting properties. An additional aim was to assess how these interests and expectations, as well as the information provided on the product label, determine the willingness to purchase a fruit and cereal bar with health-promoting properties. Data were collected through a quantitative CAWI survey conducted in 2020. It involved 1034 respondents. A logistic regression model was developed in which the dependent variable was the respondents' interest in an innovative fruit and cereal bar on whose packaging the manufacturer declared its health-promoting properties. It was found that producers' efforts to change the packaging to an organic one (OR = 1.24) along with enriching the product with chia seeds/flaxseed (OR = 1.22), vitamins and minerals (OR = 1.19), as well as fruit (OR = 1.14) and protein (OR = 1.12), or removing ingredients that cause allergies, would significantly increase the chance of respondents purchasing such a bar. A celebrity image and a claim that the product "helps maintain a healthy body weight" on the label would also encourage purchases. On the other hand, reducing the sugar content or enriching a fruit and cereal bar with powdered insects would significantly reduce the propensity to buy it.

Solid-state fermentation using wheat bran to produce glucose syrup and functional cereal bars.

Wheat bran is one of the most abundant by-products from grain milling, which can be used as substrate for solid-state fermentation (SSF) to obtain enzymes able to convert this agro-industrial waste into glucose syrup, which in turn can be applied for the production of different food products. The present study aimed to determine centesimal composition of wheat bran, obtain enzymatic extract that converts wheat bran into wheat glucose syrup (WGS), produce rice flakes cereal bars (RFCB), and evaluate their nutritional composition and the presence of functional compounds, as well as their antioxidant potential. Determination of centesimal composition of wheat bran demonstrated its nutritional potential. Enzymatic extract was obtained and it converted wheat bran into WGS, which were applied to rice flakes producing RFCB. These cereal bars proved to be a source of dietary fiber (1.8 g) and soluble protein (7.2 g) while RCFB produced with corn glucose syrup did not present these nutritional components. In addition, RFCB produced with WGS showed polyphenolic compounds, among them flavonoids, which exhibited antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging (47.46% and 711.89 µM Trolox Equivalent/g, respectively), and iron ion reduction (71.70 µM Trolox equivalent/g). Final product showed a decrease in caloric value and sodium content. Therefore, the present study showed that the bioprocess of SSF yields a nutritional, ecological, and functional food product, which might be of great interest for food industry, adding nutritional and functional value to a well-stablished product.

Development and Rapid Sensory Descriptive Characterization of Cereal Bars Made with Brazilian Licuri Nut (Syagrus coronata).

Licuri (Syagrus coronata) is an oilseed fruit common in the Brazilian caatinga and cerrado biomes. This fruit has high socioeconomic importance in the regions where it grows, being incorporated into exported animal feed and also into gastronomic preparations. Cereal bars are ready-to-eat highly consumed products with increased demand, commonly made with cereals and oilseeds such as licuri. In this sense, the incorporation of licuri in cereal bars may increase its socioeconomic value and expand its potential use. Thus, the objective of the study was to analyze acceptance and describe the sensory characteristics of cereal bars incorporated with licuri nuts. This study was conducted in four stages: (1) development of samples; (2) chemical composition analysis; (3) sensory analysis; and (4) statistical analysis. Cereal bars with licuri presented proportionally lower carbohydrate and protein content as the incorporation of licuri nut increased. However, the dietary fiber content increased. Further, 122 untrained panelists participated in the analysis. The results showed that samples with all proportions of incorporation of licuri nuts were acceptable. Furthermore, the sensory descriptors related to the presence of licuri were positively associated with product acceptance. In this way, this study demonstrates yet another possibility for use of the fruit, increasing its socioeconomic potential.

Measuring trace element fingerprinting for cereal bar authentication based on type and principal ingredient.

This paper introduces a method for determining the authenticity of commercial cereal bars based on trace element fingerprints. In this regard, 120 cereal bars were prepared using microwave-assisted acid digestion and the concentrations of Al, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sn, Sr, V, and Zn were later measured by ICP-MS. Results confirmed the suitability of the analyzed samples for human consumption. Multielemental data underwent autoscaling preprocessing for then applying PCA, CART, and LDA to input data set. LDA model accomplished the highest classification modeling performance with a success rate of 92%, making it the suitable model for reliable cereal bar prediction. The proposed method demonstrates the potential of trace element fingerprints in distinguishing cereal bar samples according to their type (conventional and gluten-free) and principal ingredient (fruit, yogurt, chocolate), thereby contributing to global efforts for food authentication.

Consumer Motives for Choosing Fruit and Cereal Bars-Differences Due to Consumer Lifestyles, Attitudes toward the Product, and Expectations.

Fruit and cereal bars are the response to the changing needs of consumers seeking health-promoting and convenient products. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method, with 1034 respondents consuming products of this kind. The aims of the study were (1) to identify consumer segments based on the importance they attached to the selected attributes of fruit and cereal bars and (2) to characterize the identified segments in terms of frequency and reasons for the consumption of fruit and cereal bars, views on their impact on health, and consumer behavior related to the selected lifestyle elements. Five distinct consumer clusters were identified. Involved and Health-oriented were more likely to consume bars, perceiving them as nutritious products, with a positive impact on health. Frugal and Visual consumed fruit and cereal bars the least frequently. They paid little attention to choosing healthier products in daily diet and physical activity. The Information seekers consumed bars to reduce stress and to improve their mood.

Current and emerging trends in cereal snack bars: implications for new product development.

The change in consumers' lifestyle promoted "snackification" favouring the commercialisation of on-the-go products such as cereal bars (CBs). Manufacturers are encountering challenges to develop healthy, natural, tasty, and affordable CBs. This article focuses on production methods, the current and emerging market trends, and practical implications for developing new CBs. The future of the CBs industry is associated with finding the right balance between nutritional value, sensory attributes, naturalness, and sustainability. Manufactures have a toolbox with a large portfolio of ingredients and processing techniques to develop CBs that can be a meal substitute, a supplement, or a snack.

Claims on Ready-to-Eat Cereals: Are Those With Claims Healthier?

Background: The use of advertising content strategies that suggest consuming a product will confer nutrient- and health-related benefits influences household food purchasing decisions, which increases consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor products. We examined the presence of marketing claims regarding nutrient content, health and nature in ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal packages in relation to the products' nutritional quality. Methods: A cross-sectional content analysis was conducted on 178 RTE cereal packages available in the six largest supermarket chains in four Colombian cities from August to November 2018. The nutritional quality of products was assessed through the nutrient profile model established by the Chilean Law of Food Labeling and Advertising law. Results: All products sampled exceeded the regulation threshold for at least one nutrient of concern (e.g., high-in calories and/or sugar). The majority (66.3%) of packages had claims related to nature, 57.3% had nutrient-content claims, and 15.7% had health benefit or risk avoidance claims. Most products with nature, nutrient-content, and health claims were high in energy (99.2, 98.0, and 92.9%, respectively) and sugar (88.1, 87.3, and 92.9%, respectively). Conclusion: RTE cereal products offered in major Colombian supermarket chains are heavily marketed using nutrition- and nature-related claims. Nearly all products with claims are high in energy and sugar, despite the messages conveyed by the claims to consumers. Results support the implementation of mandatory regulations restricting claims on food and beverage products high in nutrients of concern.

Evaluation of the nutritional quality of cereal bars made with pulse flours using desirability functions.

The development of nutritious, low-cost snacks has become increasingly important due to consumer demand for healthier diets. In this study, sensory and physical-chemical parameters and mineral compositions (P, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Al, Cu, Mn, Ni and Ba) of cereal bars were evaluated. The bars were made with flours of Lablab purpureus L. Sweet (mangalo), Vigna unguiculata L. Walp (cowpea) or Cajanus cajan L. Huth (pigeon pea) and the desirability function was used to attain the best formulation for maximising the content of protein, fibre, ashes and essential elements. Sensory analysis revealed satisfactory acceptability. Acidity did not change significantly (p > 0.05), and water activity values ​​did not exceed 0.557 over 90 days, indicating stability. Principal component analysis revealed no significant differences when comparing the mineral content between the bars. The desirability function indicated that the cowpea-based bar had a higher nutritional quality, with a protein content of 4.91 ± 0.25 g 100 g-1, P content of 187.7 ± 3.6 mg 100 g-1, Mg content of 87.37 ± 1.19 mg 100 g-1 and Mn content of 2020 ± 130 µg 100 g-1, than the other bars. The overall sensory evaluation also yielded a high score for the cowpea-based bar (overall quality equal to 6.23 ± 1.10). Therefore, pulse flours could be potential nutritional ingredients for making snacks, and in particular, cereal bars containing them could be a viable product alternative for small rural cooperatives.

Effect of pear apple and date fibres incorporation on the physico-chemical, sensory, nutritional characteristics and the acceptability of cereal bars.

Cereal bars are nutritious food composed of several ingredients including dry raw and agglutinative ingredients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pear apple and date fibres, from cooked fruit co-product, addition on the physico-chemical textural and sensory properties of cereal bars. First, five formulations containing an amount of 10% of co-products and commercial fibre, used as a reference, were elaborated and their physico-chemical composition was determined. Second, to determine the acceptability of consumer, apple fibre co-products were added (6, 10 and 14%). Products were evaluated for their texture using a texturometer and sensory characteristics using an acceptance test. Results showed that physico-chemical composition of cereal bars elaborated with co-products was slightly different compared to those elaborated with commercial fibre. All bars have low water activity levels (∼0.470) and interesting energy (300 kcal/100 g bar). External appearance revealed a darker colour (L*:∼42/a*:∼8/b*:∼20). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in texture values (hardness: 40.8 N; cohesiveness: 0.34; springiness: 0.60; chewiness: 8.30 N) between cereal bars prepared with pear co-product and wheat bran. Acceptance test confirms the formulation used for cereals bars and showed that incorporation of 10% of co-product produced cereal bars with the highest acceptability. Sensory characteristics revealed that appearance is the limiting factor for consumer acceptability, essentially for cereal bars containing pear co-product. Apple, pear and date co-products could be used successfully as a food ingredient to develop new formulations of cereal bars.

Assessment of nutritional and lipid quality of salted cereal bars prepared with different binding agents / Evaluación de la calidad nutricional y lipídica de barras de cereales saladas preparadas con diferentes aglutinantes

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper was to assess the nutritional and lipid quality of salty cereal bars preparedusing different binding agents. The experiment consisted of preparing four cereal formulations with four different binding agents (collagen, guar gum, xanthan gum and psyllium). The physicochemical characteristics and main minerals of the bars were assessed to determine the nutritional value, atherogenic index and thrombogenic index. The ratios between hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids were determined to assess the lipid quality of the product. The results show that the bars have considerable lipid content, carbohydrates, protein, fiber and energetic value. The atherogenicindexindex, thrombogenic index, and ratios between hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids for all the formulations had good lipid quality, which indicates that the bars are a healthy food alternative.

RESUMEN Este estudio tuvo por objetivo elaborar barras de cereales saladas, utilizando diferentes agentes de unión y evaluar su calidad nutricional y lipídica. Para ello se elaboraron cuatro formulaciones de barras de cereales alterando solamente los agentes de unión (colágeno, gomaguar, goma xantana y psyllium). En las barras de cereales desarrolladas se evaluó las características físico-químicas y principales minerales para determinar el valor nutricional y los índices de aterogenicidad (IA), trombogenicidad (IT) así como las razones entre ácidos grasos hipocolesterolémicos e hipercolesterolémicos (HH) para verificar la calidad lipídica del producto. Las barras desarrolladas presentaron considerables contenidos de lípidos, carbohidratos, proteína, fibras y valor energético. El perfil de ácidos grasos así como los índices de aterogenicidad (IA), trombogenicidad (IT) y razones entre los ácidos hipocolesterolémicos e hipercolesterolémicos (HH) mostraron para todas las formulaciones una buena calidad lipídica indicando una alternativa de alimento sano y diferenciado.

Formulation and characterization of functional foods based on fruit and vegetable residue flour.

Fruits and vegetables are extensively processed and the residues are often discarded. However, due to their rich composition, they could be used to minimize food waste. This study aimed to develop food products based on the solid residue generated from the manufacture of an isotonic beverage. This beverage was produced based on integral exploitation of several fruits and vegetables: orange, passion fruit, watermelon, lettuce, courgette, carrot, spinach, mint, taro, cucumber and rocket. The remaining residue was processed into flour and its functional properties were evaluated. The fruit and vegetable residue (FVR) flour was incorporated with different levels (20 to 35 %) into biscuits and cereal bars. The proximate composition, microbiological stability until 90 days and consumer acceptance were analyzed. The FVR flour presented a higher water holding capacity than oil holding capacity, respectively 7.43 and 1.91 g g(-1) of flour, probably associated with its high levels of carbohydrates (53 %) and fibres (21.5 %). Biscuits enriched with 35 % of FVR flour presented significantly higher fibre, ranging from 57 % to 118 % and mineral contents, from 25 % to 37 % than when only 20 % was added. Cereal bars presented about 75 % of fibres and variable mineral contents between 14 % and 37 %. The incorporation of FVR did not change the fat content. The microbiological examinations are within acceptable limits according to international regulation. The incorporation of FVR flour did not impair consumer acceptance, the sensory attributes averaged around 6. The chemical, microbiological and sensorial results of the designed products attested for an alternative towards applying and reducing agro-industrial wastes.

Effect of flaxseed flour incorporation on the physical properties and consumer acceptability of cereal bars.

Extensive research has revealed numerous nutritional and health benefits of flaxseed due primarily to its nutrients content. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of flaxseed flour addition on the physical and sensory characteristics of cereal bars. Four formulations of the flaxseed cereal bars were prepared by partially replacing oats with flaxseed flour added at levels of 0 (control), 6%, 12% and 18%. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in water activity, moisture and firmness values between the flaxseed bars and control. Flaxseed addition significantly (p < 0.05) decreased lightness and increased redness of the bars. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the 12% flax cereal bars and the control with respect to sensory attributes and overall acceptability. The overall acceptability for both 12% flax bars and the control was in between 'like moderately' and 'like slightly' on the 9-point hedonic scale. The overall acceptability was most highly correlated with flavor acceptability for both control (r = 0.80) and 12% flax (r = 0.82) cereal bars. Flaxseed bars provided 12% dietary fiber of the daily recommended value. These results indicated that flaxseed flour incorporation up to 12% substantially enhanced the nutritional qualities of the cereal bars without affecting their sensory and quality properties.

Desarrollo de barras de cereales nutritivas y efecto del procesado en la calidad proteica / Development of nutritive cereal bars and effect of processing on the protein quality

Commercial cereal bars (CB) have low and poor nutritional quality of protein and fats and are included in school snacks. A nutritional CB was developed with increased protein and fat content and quality, with a balanced energy distribution. The infIuence of processing on protein quality was studied. The process was divided into two stages: controlled formulation dry premix (DP) and further agglutination before consumption. In DP textured grains were used (rice, whole corn and semolina, wheat germ, oats), egg albumin and milk powder. Honey, egg white, soybean oil and sucrose were used as binding syrup. The processing was carried out in a pilot plant with drying at 105°C, per 30 minutes. Percentage and protein quality (NPU) were determined at each stage: DP, CB before and after drying (HCB and DCB). In DCB fatty acids (FA) were determined by gas chromatography and shelf-life through sensorial evaluation by a trained panel. The DP protein content reached was 21.6 % with NPU 70 % and 91 % of D. For HCB and DCB the results were: protein 14.7 % and 15.7%, NPU 73 % and 51 %, D 86 % and 81 % respectively. In DCB fat was 12.6 %% (16% saturated FA, 34 %% monounsaturated, 48 % polyunsaturated). The energy distribution was balanced. Sensory evaluation showed stable products for 7 days. It would be possible to develop CB in bakeries with short life where a unit of 25 g would cover 7 % of the protein requirement of a 30 kg child.

Las barras de cereales (BC) comerciales presentan bajo contenido y pobre calidad nutricional de proteínas y grasas, siendo actualmente incluidas en colaciones escolares. Se desarrollaron BC nutritivas con aumento del contenido y calidad de proteínas y grasas, distribución energética equilibrada y se estudió la influencia del procesado en la calidad proteica. El proceso se dividió en dos etapas: una premezcla seca (PS) de formulación controlada y posterior aglutinación previo al consumo. En PS se utilizaron cereales texturizados (arroz, maíz entero y sémola, germen de trigo, avena), ovoalbúmina y leche ambas deshidratadas. Para la aglutinación se utilizó miel, clara de huevo, aceite de soja y sacarosa. La elaboración se realizó en planta piloto con secado a 105°C, por 30 minutos. Se determinó el porcentaje y la calidad proteica (UPN) en cada etapa: PS, barra de cereal húmeda (BCH) y seca (BCS). En la BCS se determinaron los ácidos grasos (AG) por cromatografía gaseosa y la estabilidad mediante análisis sensorial por panel entrenado. En PS se alcanzó 21,6% de proteínas con UPN 70% y D 91%. Para BCH y BCS los resultados fueron: proteínas 14,7% y 15,7%, UPN 73% y 51%, D 86% y 81%, respectivamente. En BCS el contenido graso fue 12,6% (16% AG saturados, 34% monoinsaturados, 48% poliinsaturados). La distribución energética de macronutrientes fue equilibrada y la evaluación sensorial arrojó productos estables durante 7 días. Sería posible elaborar en panaderías BC de corta vida útil, donde una unidad de 25 g cubriría 7% del requerimiento proteico de un niño de 30 kg.

Elaboração de barra de cereais com casca de abacaxi

As barras de cereais são produtos multicomponentes constituído de cereais, frutas secas e xarope ligante, podendo-se adicionar as partes consumíveis de frutas e vegetais que usualmente não são aproveitadas e que possuem um alto valor nutritivo, diminuindo assim o desperdício de alimentos. Foi elaborada uma geléia a base de cascas de abacaxi, que foi utilizada em 13,5% na formulação de uma barra de cereal. A barra desenvolvida foi avaliada sensorialmente e teve sua composição centesimal e mineral determinada. O novo produto obteve média de impressão global de 8,3 em uma escala hedônica de nove pontos, 91% de índice de aceitabilidade e 67% de intenção de compra. Neste primeiro uso da geléia de casca de abacaxi como ingrediente alimentar, pode-se concluir que a sua incorporação na formulação de barra de cereais é viável, gerando produto aceito, com fibras, proteínas e minerais, podendo ser uma alternativa às barras de cereais tradicionais.

Development of cereal bar with pineapple skin.

The cereal bars are multi-component products consisting of cereals, dried fruit and syrup binder and may be added to the consumable parts of fruits and vegetables which usually are not exploited and have high nutritional value, thereby reducing food waste. It was developed a jam with pineapple skin, which it was utilized in 13.5% in the cereal bar formulation. The cereal bar was sensorial evaluated and had its centesimal and mineral composition determined. The new product achieved average of 8.3 for global impression using 9 points hedonic scale, 91% of acceptance rate and 67% of purchase intent. In this first use of pineapple skin jam as food ingredient it can be concluded that its aggregation in the cereal bar formula is feasible, making an accepted product with fibers, proteins and minerals, as an alternative to traditional cereal bars.

Elaboração de barras de cereais com ingredientes alternativos e regionais do oeste do Paraná / Elaboration of cereal bars with alternative and regional ingredients from the western of Paraná

A tendência de consumir mais alimentos nutritivos, no lugar de doces e guloseimas tem levado ao aparecimento de novos tipos de produtos, tais como barras de cereais diversificadas. Dentro dos produtos a base de cereais, as barras podem fornecer importante suplementação de calorias e elementos nutritivos como lipídeos, fibras, proteínas, minerais e vitaminas. Uma alternativa que vem ganhando corpo desde o início da década de 1970 consiste no aproveitamento de resíduos (principalmente cascas e sementes), ou seja, o processo de fabricação de farinhas, a partir de certas frutas como matéria-prima para a produção de alguns alimentos perfeitamente passíveis de serem incluídos na alimentação humana. Desse modo, este trabalho teve por objetivo utilizar ingredientes alternativos na elaboração das barras de cereais, tornando estas mais nutritivas, com propriedades funcionais diversificadas e verificar a aceitabilidade desse produto. Foram desenvolvidas quatro diferentes tipos de barras de cereais com ingredientes alternativos e disponíveis na região, tais como: sementes de abóbora, melão e melancia, e farinha da casca de maracujá. Realizou-se análise sensorial das barras desenvolvidas por uma equipe orientada, para avaliação da aceitabilidade de cada uma das barras de cereais. Assim, determinou-se a composição centesimal de uma das barras por meio das análises físico-químicas de: lipídeos, carboidratos, fibras, minerais, umidade, proteínas e valor calórico. A barra de cereal formulada a partir de produtos alternativos, como sementes e casca de frutas, apresentou baixo valor calórico, apreciáveis quantidades de fibras e proteínas e baixo teor de lipídeos. Além disso, também apresentaram grande aceitabilidade; e devido à introdução de alimentos alternativos como sementes e casca de frutas, tornaram-se um produto mais nutritivo, e com propriedades funcionais diversificadas para serem consumidas diariamente, como lanches.

The tendency of consuming more nutritious food instead of sweets and candies led to the emergence of new sorts of products such as diverse cereal bars. Among the products made from cereals, bars can provide important supplemental calories and nutrients such as lipids, fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins. One alternative that has become popular since the beginning of the 1970s is the use of waste material (mainly peels and seeds), that is, the process of making flour from certain fruits as raw material for the production of some foods is perfectly likely to be included in food. This study aimed to use alternative ingredients in the preparation of cereal bars, making them more nutritious, with diverse functional properties and acceptability of the same. It was developed four different sorts of cereal bars with alternative ingredients and also available in the region, such as, pumpkin seeds, melon and watermelon, and passion?s peel flour. It was accomplished a sensory analysis of the developed bars by a team-oriented to evaluate the acceptability of each of the cereal bars. It was determined the chemical composition of one of the bars through the physical and chemical analysis of: lipids, carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, humidity, protein and calorific content. The cereal bar made from alternative products such as seeds and fruit?s peel, showed lower calorific value, greater amount of fiber and carbohydrates and less fat. The cereal bar presented great acceptability and because of the introduction of alternative food such as seeds and fruit?s peel, became a more nutritious product with functional diverse properties to be consumed daily as snacks.

Barras de amaranto enriquecidas com frutanos: aceitabilidade e valor nutricional / Amaranth bars enriched with fructans: acceptability and nutritional value

Existe uma demanda por alimentos de conveniência com benefícios potenciais à saúde do consumidor. Matérias primas de elevado valor nutritivo e com propriedades funcionais devem ser utilizadas no desenvolvimento desses produtos. O amaranto é um grão de elevado valor nutritivo e isento de glúten. Inulina e oligofrutose são ingredientes prebióticos; que possuem outros efeitos, como o aumento da absorção de cálcio. Barras de amaranto enriquecidas com inulina e oligofrutose foram desenvolvidas nos sabores banana, castanha do Pará e uva passa, coco, damasco, morango e nozes. A composição centesimal foi avaliada e comparada às das barras comerciais, disponíveis nas categorias tradicional (n=59), light (n=60), diet (n=8), à base de soja (n=10) e quinoa (n=1). As barras de amaranto apresentaram média de aceitação global variando de 6,3 a 7,6, numa escala hedônica estruturada de nove pontos, e vantagens nutricionais em relação às barras de cereais comerciais (redução calórica e alto teor de fibras). Apesar de o amaranto ser desconhecido no Brasil, este apresenta bom potencial para o desenvolvimento de alimentos prontos para o consumo. Por serem isentas de glúten estas barras são inclusive uma alternativa para os celíacos, podendo contribuir para o aumento da absorção de cálcio, problema freqüentemente observado nessa população.

There is an increasing appeal for convenience foods with potential health benefits to the consumer. Raw materials with high nutritional value and functional properties must be used on the development of these food products. Amaranth is a gluten-free grain with high nutrition value. Inulin and oligofructose are prebiotic ingredients presenting effects as the enhancement of calcium absorption. Amaranth bars enriched with inulin and oligofructose were developed in the flavors: banana, Brazilian nuts and dried grape, coconut, peach, strawberry and wall nut. The proximate composition were determined and compared to commercial cereal bars, available in traditional (n=59), light (n=60), diet (n=8), with soy (n=10) and quinoa (n=1) categories. Amaranth bars present mean global acceptance values from 6.3 to 7.6 on a 9-point hedonic scale, nutritional advantages as compared to commercial cereal bars (caloric reduction and higher levels of dietary fiber). Although amaranth is an unknown raw material in Brazil, it shows good potential to be used in the manufacturing of ready-to-eat products. As they are gluten free, these amaranth bars are also an alternative product for celiacs, also contributing to the enhancement of calcium absorption, a problem frequently observed in these patients.