FRUIT-FREE PREMIUM MUESLI BARS – ALDI
ReAL FOOD RATING
Price
$3.99/ 6 bars
Where to Buy
ALDI Grocery Stores
MANDY'S TAKE
“With 50% oats, some added nuts and seeds, and a 4.5 Health Star Rating, this bar may seem like a smart, budget-friendly choice — and in many ways, it is a step up from the highly artificial bars on supermarket shelves. It doesn’t contain the usual list of synthetic additives and preservatives,which is a welcome change.
However, the second and third ingredients are glucose syrup and refined vegetable oil, with invert sugar syrup not far behind. These ultra-processed sweeteners, even in small amounts, can shape taste preferences, interfere with metabolic health, and contribute to chronic disease risk when consumed regularly — particularly in children.While this bar is more natural than many, it still leans on industrial ingredients to keep costs low and shelf life high. It’s an okay occasional option, but for those aiming for a truly real food snack, there are better choices out there. How it can be awarded a 4.5 Health Star rating is truly astonishing. “
RATING BREAKDOWN
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
- 50% wholegrain oats
- No additives or preservatives
- Source of fibre (3.7g)
- Glucose syrup, an ultra-processed sweetener, is listed 2nd on the ingredient list
- Golden syrup (invert sugar syrup is listed 4th - another ultra-processed sugar
- Refined sunflower oil is listed third
- 11.3g of sugar per 100g ( for this category on the better side)
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
Processed sugars: brown rice syrup and sugar
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 (budget-friendly / occasionally)
- Teens (budget-friendly / occasionally)
- Adults (budget-friendly / occasionally)
- Contains Gluten
- Contains Nuts
BETTER OPTIONS
- Wholefood bars sweetened only with dates, honey, or dried fruit
- Homemade nut and seed bars using tahini and mashed banana
MAKE IT YOURSELF
Want a healthier alternative? Try a homemade version!
“These use healthy and nutritious ingredients” – Mandy
Check out the Recipe
Seeded Chocolate Clusters (Florentines)
Indulging in some homemade goodness today with my Seeded Chocolate Clusters aka a healthy version of Florentines! Made with a delightful mix of nutrient-packed seeds, sweetened wit
Watch the Reel
THE VERDICT
This is a decent bar with some wholefood ingredients, but the inclusion of glucose syrup, invert syrup, and refined sunflower oil pushes it firmly into the processed category. It’s a better option than many, but still falls short of being truly real food. Does it deserve a 4-star Health Star Rating? In my view, no — especially when ultra-processed sweeteners are linked to a range of poor health outcomes.
APP COMING SOON...
Want detailed ingredients, pros and cons, rating breakdown, nutrition panels, and instant supermarket swaps?
Download the Real Food Rating app! (Coming soon)