Protein bars
Nature Valley Protein Salted Caramel Nut Chewy Bar
1.42 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
- Contains palm oil
Why it scores 8
Nature Valley Protein Salted Caramel Nut Chewy Bar scores 8 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
-
Chocolate Nut Chewy Bar Ratio · 4 × 1.41 oz No added sugars · No sugar Score 48 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Almond Cashew Nut & Seed Bar 180 Snacks · 31 g Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 51 out of 100 , 43 points higher -
Pure & Simple Apple Pie Fruit & Nut Bars Elevation · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 , 71 points higher -
Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Kind Zero · 175 g No added sugars · No seed oils Score 65 out of 100 , 57 points higher -
Pistachio nut bar South forty pistachio · 1.4 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 , 71 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Salted Caramel Nut Chewy Bar
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 15 g / 100 g minus 8 points
- Saturated fat 7.5 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Salt 1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 500 kcal / 100 g minus 3 points
- Fiber 12.5 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 92.5 = 7.5 → 8
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 | 500 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 30 g |
| Saturated fat | 7.5 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37.5 g |
| Sugars | 15 g |
| Added sugars | 12.5 g |
| Fiber | 12.5 g |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Salt | 1 g |
Serving: 1 bar (40 g)
Ingredients
- Roasted Peanuts
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Almonds
- Chicory Root Extract
- Sugar (high concern)
- Vegetable Oils (palm, palm kernel, canola)
- Corn Syrup (high concern)
- Fructose (high concern)
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Rice Starch
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Nonfat Milk
- Corn Starch
- Soy Lecithin
- Salt
- Peanut Flour
- Baking Soda
- Natural Flavor
Label text, as published
Roasted Peanuts, Soy Protein Isolate, Almonds, Chicory Root Extract, Sugar, Vegetable Oils (palm, palm kernel, canola), Corn Syrup, Fructose, Vegetable Glycerin, Rice Starch, Whey Protein Concentrate, Nonfat Milk, Corn Starch, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Peanut Flour, Baking Soda, Natural Flavor.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Soy
- Not vegan
- Not palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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More from Nature Valley Protein
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