We’ve all been there. Sitting in the library, at the airport, on the subway trying, in vain, to minimize the crumbly yet tasty mess that is crunching into a Nature Valley granola bar. It seems no matter how deftly we unwrap that famous green packaging and how painstakingly slowly we bite into that familiar bar, standing up inevitably dumps an embarrassing mound of crumbs to the floor.

According to General Mills, if you can't "EMBRACE THE CRUMBS," a cleaner way to enjoy your Nature Valley granola bar is to pop it in the microwave (out of the wrapper). Okay, thanks Nature Valley, but as your own name implies, who's gonna whip out a microwave in the middle of the woods? No one. But don't worry, snacking enthusiasts, because I have come up with a crumb-proof way to enjoy a Nature Valley granola bar. 

Step 1: Fold up the flap covering the bar's ingredients 

Ella DeBode

Step 2: Pinch and pull on the flap in opposite directions 

Ella DeBode

Step 3: Continue to open the wrapper until you've created a nice crumb-catching bowl 

Ella DeBode

Step 4: Enjoy!

Ella DeBode

It's not time for crumbs. It's time for change. Using this simple hack, you can start making a difference for janitors everywhere, and save yourself from future crumb-shaming stares. Next time you see a fellow granola bar enthusiast, save them from themselves: teach them how to eat their granola bar the right way!