Sometimes conventional meals just aren’t enough, but snack time doesn’t need to mean a salt and sugar overload, as these products prove.
MF BEST BUY:
Primal Pantry Protein Bars
£27 (pack of 15), primalpantry.com
They say: ‘Soft, delicious, super nutritious. Pack some primal protein into your day.’
We say: Some of the cleanest protein bars on the market: gluten and dairy-free, and vegan and paleo-friendly, with 15g protein per bar and a punchy taste to match. Double Espresso is worth a try.
Taste: 5/5
Health: 4/5
Satisfaction: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
MF RECOMMENDED:
Boundless Activated Nuts & Seeds
£12 (pack of 12), weareboundless.co.uk
They say: ‘When it comes to flavour we don’t hold back. Our gutsy bags of nuts and seeds pack a punch and cause a stir.’
We say: ‘Activated’ means the seeds have been allowed to germinate, releasing natural enzymes and nutrients that are otherwise locked away. Available in a range of flavours, each pack provides a punchy 8.4g of protein at a snackable 180 calories.
Taste: 4.5/5
Health: 4.5/5
Satisfaction: 4/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Rude Health Crunch Bars
£3.67 (pack of 3), rudehealth.com
They say: ‘We crammed a load of roasted nuts and seeds together with some honey to make a bar you can get your teeth into.’
We say: Slightly salty, not too sweet and, at 145 calories a bar, the perfect size for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Made from six natural ingredients, with no hidden nasties.
Taste: 4/5
Health: 4/5
Satisfaction: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Fairfields Farm Lentil Bites
£13 (pack of 18), fairfieldsfarmcrisps.co.uk
They say: ‘Lentil Bites are less than 99 calories per 20g bag, so they will appeal
to the more health-conscious snacker.’
We say: Just like regular crisps, with half the calorie count and a bit more goodness. The Jalapeño & Lime flavour went down a storm in the MF office.
Taste: 4.5/5
Health: 3.5/5
Satisfaction: 4.5/5
Overall: 4/5
KIND Bars
£1.30 (per bar), tesco.com
They say: ‘Just the best ingredients. Full of wholesome nutrients.’
We say: Flying the flag for the little guy here, with a lesser known brand only available in every shop you’ve ever been to. They taste good, though – really good – and come to the fore when fruit or nuts just won’t hack it.
Taste: 5/5
Health: 3.5/5
Satisfaction: 4.5/5
Overall: 4/5
My Protein Almonds
£10.99 (400g pack), myprotein.com
They say: ‘A great source of protein, with no meal prep required.’
We say: You know what almonds taste like so we won’t go into that, but these from My Protein are competitively priced, and naturally loaded with protein and healthy fats. One handful does the trick.
Taste: 4/5
Health: 5/5
Satisfaction: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5
Nine Bars
£12 (pack of 20), 9ninebrand.com
They say: ‘Our mission: to feed the nation with a bar containing the best natural ingredients and the most exciting flavours.’
We say: ‘Good seeds, great tastes’ is the motto and we can’t argue with that. Nine Bars strike the perfect balance between taste and nutrition.
Taste: 5/5
Health: 3.5/5
Satisfaction: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
RXBars
£27 (pack of 12), rxbar.co.uk
They say: ‘RXBARs are protein bars made with real ingredients. Just real food that tastes good and is good for you.’
We say: Slightly on the chewy side, but no complaints on the flavour front, and you won’t find a more natural snack bar – packed with a recovery-ramping 12g of protein.
Taste: 3/5
Health: 5/5
Satisfaction: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Prodigy Chocolate Bar
£5 (pack of 3), prodigysnacks.com
They say: ‘Chocolate without compromise. Made with incredible natural ingredients.’
We say: The bitterness takes some getting used to, but there’s no denying the goodness: full of antioxidants, prebiotics and organic, vegan ingredients. A healthier snack bar you will not find.
Taste: 3/5
Health: 5/5
Satisfaction: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5
