KELLOGG’S NUTRI GRAIN BARS ORIGINAL
15 min reading time
ReAL FOOD RATING
Price
$7.50 for 12 bars | 63¢ per bar
Where to Buy
Major supermarkets
MANDY'S TAKE
At first glance, Nutri-Grain Bars might appear to be a convenient, protein-rich snack, especially with a name like “Nutri.” But a closer look reveals that over a third of this bar is made up of sugar, with six different added sugars contributing to a total of 37.6g per 100g. That puts it closer to a chocolate bar than the “sports fuel” the marketing suggests.
The cereal base includes mostly refined flours, and the fibre content sits at just 1.5g per 100g, even lower than standard white bread. Each bar provides only 1.6g of protein, despite its previous branding as an “Iron Man” snack. The chocolate layer? Not real chocolate, it’s a compound coating made from vegetable fat and ultra-processed additives like emulsifiers, humectants, and artificial stabilisers.
This is a highly ultra-processed product, and a clear example of health-washing: sounding nutritious while delivering very little real nourishment. It’s not a bar I’d recommend for children — or for anyone trying to fuel their day with balanced, sustaining whole foods.
RATING BREAKDOWN
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
- Natural colours (not artificial)
- Convenient packaging
- Very high sugar (37.6g/100g)
- Over SIX different sugar sources
- Virtually no fibre (0.3g per bar) and very little protein (1.6g per bar)
- Refined flours and carbohydrates
- Vegetable oil and vegetable fat
- Moderate sodium (275mg/100g)
- 19% Ultra-processed 'choc compound'
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
- Adults
- Contains gluten
- Contains dairy
- Contains soy
- High sugar warning
BETTER OPTIONS
- Actual whole grain toast with nut butter
- Fresh fruit with Greek yoghurt
- Homemade muesli bars
- A banana with almond butter
MAKE IT YOURSELF
Want a healthier alternative? Try a homemade version!
“These use healthy and nutritious ingredients” – Mandy
Check out the Recipe
Iron-Rich Muesli Bars
If you are looking for a quick and convenient kid-friendly muesli bar without the nasties, this is the bar for you! Prepare them beforehand, and you will have a fast, grab-and-go b
Watch the Reel
THE VERDICT
The Nutri-Grain branding suggests health, strength, and performance — even resembling a protein bar. But in reality, it’s nearly 40% sugar, low in fibre, and made with six added sweeteners and ultra-processed ingredients. This is one I would recommend avoiding as a nutritious sports bar, and instead treating it in the same way you would a confectionery bar.
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