CARMAN’S NUT BARS ALMOND, HAZELNUT & VANILLA
May 29, 2025
ReAL FOOD RATING
OKAY
Price
$11.50 for 10 bars
Where to Buy
Major supermarkets
MANDY'S TAKE
“This is one of my favourite Carman’s bars! By prioritising nuts over sugar, they’ve created something actually nutritious. The 6g of protein per bar and good fats make this a proper snack, not just empty calories. Yes, I’d prefer dates to glucose, and the 4.9g of sugar per bar could be lower but in the commercial bar world, this is an okay option (and the HSR is actually right on this one). Proof that established brands like Carman’s CAN reformulate and offer more real food options.”
RATING BREAKDOWN
Real Food Processing Score: 1/5
- Still primarily sugar
- Ultra-processed base
Additive Score: 3/5
- Natural colours (big win!)
- Still has artificial flavours
Nutrition Score: 1/5
- 70%+ sugar content
- Zero nutritional benefit
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
Positives
- 70% nuts and seeds - real food foundation!
- Excellent protein (17.1g/100g)
- Good fibre (8g/100g)
- Moderate sugar (14.1g/100g) - better than others
- Very low sodium (14mg/100g)
- Healthy fats from whole nuts
- NB: Sits on the cusp of OKAY/GOOD due to inclusion of Glucose
Negatives
- Glucose as second ingredient (ultra-processed)
- Multiple sugar sources (glucose, honey, brown rice syrup)
- Calorie dense (2230kj/100g)
- Higher price point for a supermarket bar
- Natural flavour
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
Negatives
Processed sugars: brown rice syrup and sugar
Limited whole food ingredients beyond oats
Contains glycerine additive
Fibre partly from extracted chicory root
Positives
Colours: Natural
No Artificial Colours: Win!
WHO'S IT FOR?
Age Suitability
- Babies & Toddlers
- Kids (watch for choking contains whole nuts)
- Teens (post-sport, high energy)
- Adults (watch portions, calorie dense)
Special Diets
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
- High protein
- Contains nuts
- Not recommended for low-sugar diets
BETTER OPTIONS
- DIY trail mix (no added sugars or oils)
- Raw mixed nuts
- Homemade energy balls
- Whole almonds and apple (natural energy, no processing)
- Higher protein real food bars (made with dates, no glucose)
MAKE IT YOURSELF
Want a healthier alternative? Try a homemade version!
“These use healthy and nutritious ingredients” – Mandy
Check out the Recipe
On-the-go Breakfast Bars
My delicious On-the-go Muesli Breakfast Bars provide a chewy and nutritious start to your day! Unlike store-bought muesli bars that are loaded with additives and sugar, these whole
THE VERDICT
This bar sits on the borderline between OKAY and GOOD, thanks to its wholefood foundation, high protein, and lower-than-expected sugar. While we’d always prefer dates to glucose, Carman’s has clearly shifted priorities here by putting real food ingredients first. This is proof that with a few smart tweaks, even mass-market bars can move toward genuinely nutritious territory. It’s not an everyday option for toddlers, but for adults and active teens, it’s a solid upgrade.
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