Mix of grains and raisins
Nature Valley Protein Smoothie Berry Blend Chewy Bars
40 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
- Contains palm oil
Why it scores 6
Nature Valley Protein Smoothie Berry Blend Chewy Bars scores 6 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Corn syrup: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better granola and snack bars
-
Protein chewy bars Millville · 201 No added sugars · No sugar Score 47 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Soft and chewy oat bar Over Easy · 52 g Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 62 out of 100 , 56 points higher -
No Added Sugar Cherry Cashew Chewy Bars Flavored With Other Natural Flavors Cascadian Farm · 6 oz Less saturated fat · No added sugars Score 55 out of 100 , 49 points higher -
Protein Treats Chocolate Peanut Butter Magic Spoon · 1.4 oz No added sugars · No seed oils Score 57 out of 100 , 51 points higher -
Chocolate chip granola protein-rich meal bar Atkins · 8.47 oz/240 g No added sugars · No sugar Score 45 out of 100 , 39 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Protein Smoothie Berry Blend Chewy Bars
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Fructose minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 7.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 20 g / 100 g minus 11 points
- Saturated fat 6.3 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Salt 0.9 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 475 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 12.5 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 94.5 = 5.5 → 6
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in fat and saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 475 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 25 g |
| Saturated fat | 6.3 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Sugars | 20 g |
| Added sugars | 15 g |
| Fiber | 12.5 g |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Salt | 0.9 g |
Serving: 40g
Ingredients
- Roasted Peanuts
- Almonds
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Sugar (high concern)
- Chicory Root Extract
- Corn Syrup (high concern)
- Palm Kernel Oil
- Blueberries
- Fructose (high concern)
- Whey Protein Isolate
- Rice Starch
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Cranberries
- Corn Starch
- Yogurt Powder
- Soy Lecithin
- Canola Oil
- Nonfat Milk
- Salt
- Blueberry Powder
- Natural Flavor
- Strawberry Powder
- Cranberry Powder
- Sunflower Oil
- Raspberry Powder
Label text, as published
Roasted Peanuts, Almonds, Soy Protein Isolate, Sugar, Chicory Root Extract, Corn Syrup, Palm Kernel Oil, Blueberries, Fructose, Whey Protein Isolate, Rice Starch, Vegetable Glycerin, Cranberries, Corn Starch, Yogurt Powder, Soy Lecithin, Canola Oil, Nonfat Milk, Salt, Blueberry Powder, Natural Flavor, Strawberry Powder, Cranberry Powder, Sunflower Oil, Raspberry Powder.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Soy
- Not vegan
- Not palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More mix of grains and raisins on GoodSwap
More from Nature Valley
-
Oats 'N Honey Granola Bars Nature Valley · 1.49 oz (42 g) Score 14 out of 100 Bad -
Sweet & Salty Nut Peanut Chewy Granola Bar Nature Valley · 35 g Score 5 out of 100 Bad -
Nature Valley Chewy fruit and nuts Nature Valley · 8 g Score 16 out of 100 Bad - Pumpkin Spice Granola Bar Nature Valley Score 11 out of 100 Bad
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
“Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”
eur-lex.europa.eu