COLES MUESLI BARS STRAWBERRY YOGHURT TOP
15 min reading time
ReAL FOOD RATING
Price
$3.00 (8 pack/248g) | $1.21 per 100g
Where to Buy
Coles Supermarkets
MANDY'S TAKE
“Coles’ budget-friendly bar follows a predictable pattern: decent wholegrain content (46%) overshadowed by ultra-processing. The 17% ‘yoghurt compound’ coating reveals the real story; it’s mostly sugar and palm oil dressed up as dairy. With glucose listed as the second ingredient, followed by sugar in the coating, invert syrup, and more added sugars, this is classic sugar-stacking, adding up to a hefty 24g per 100g. The ‘strawberry’ is nothing more than elderberry concentrate and artificial strawberry flavour — not real fruit. It’s cheap for a reason: confectionery disguised as a wholesome snack. Interestingly, it earns a 2.5 Health Star Rating, while other sugar-laden bars receive a 4-star halo. Once again, this highlights how easily the Health Star Rating system can be manipulated — though credit to Coles for not inflating its rating to mislead consumers.”
RATING BREAKDOWN
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
- 46% wholegrains (oats and wheat)
- Moderate fibre (7.42g/100g)
- Low sodium (74.2mg/100g)
- Budget-friendly price
- Very high sugar (24g/100g)
- Four different sugars (sugar stacking)
- 'Yoghurt' coating is palm oil and sugar
- Natural flavouring, no real fruit
- Contains additives (emulsifier, humectant and natural flavour)
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
Natural colours (not artificial)
Limited whole food ingredients beyond oats
Contains glycerine additive
Fibre partly from extracted chicory root
Colours: Natural
No Artificial Colours: Win!
WHO'S IT FOR?
- Babies & Toddlers
- Kids
- Teens (limit)
- Adults (emergency snack only)
- Contains gluten
- Contains dairy
- Contains soy
- Not suitable for vegans
BETTER OPTIONS
- Homemade muesli slice with real yoghurt
- Plain oats with fresh strawberries
- Wholegrain crackers with ricotta and berries
- Trail mix with dried strawberries
- Fresh fruit with plain yoghurt
MAKE IT YOURSELF
Want a healthier alternative? Try a homemade version!
“These use healthy and nutritious ingredients” – Mandy
Check out the Recipe
Strawberry Muesli Bars
Introducing my delightful and nutritious Strawberry Muesli Bars! Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, and sweetened naturally with honey, these
Watch the Reel
THE VERDICT
This earns the same 2.5 stars as Uncle Tobys bars – and for similar reasons. Despite wholegrains, the ultra-processed coating, multiple sugars, and lack of real fruit keep it firmly in “limit” territory. The only real difference is that Coles is being real with their marketing and not awarding it a high health star halo.
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