Protein bars
RXBAR Nut Butter & Oat
19 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
- No additives
- Contains whole grains
Why it scores 23
RXBAR Nut Butter & Oat scores 23 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Honey: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Coconut sugar: 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 protein bars
-
Peanut Butter Chocolate RXBAR · 1 bar (52 g) No added sugars · No seed oils Score 63 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Protein Bar, Peanut Butter Chocolate RXBAR No added sugars · No seed oils Score 68 out of 100 , 45 points higher -
Multi-Pack - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Lemon Coconut, Peanut Butter Chocolate Simply Protein Less sugar · No added sugars Score 63 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Peanut Butter Chip IQ Bar Less sugar · No added sugars Score 67 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
ONE Reese's Peanut Butter Lovers Protein Bar ONE · 60 g Less sugar · No seed oils Score 62 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
Nut Butter & Oat
Ingredients
- Honey minus 20 points
- Coconut sugar minus 20 points
- Sunflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 25.5 g / 100 g minus 11 points
- Saturated fat 2.7 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 0.7 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 418 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 7.3 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 77 = 23
Can’t score above 79. Contains honey, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 418 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 16.4 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.7 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52.7 g |
| Sugars | 25.5 g |
| Added sugars | 21.8 g |
| Fiber | 7.3 g |
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Salt | 0.7 g |
Serving: 1 bar (52 g)
Ingredients
- OATS
- HONEY (high concern)
- EGG WHITES
- CASHEW BUTTER (CASHEWS)
- ALMONDS
- BLUEBERRIES
- PUMPKIN SEEDS
- BROWN RICE
- HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL
- COCONUT SUGAR (high concern)
- OAT FIBER
- SEA SALT
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- LEMON
Label text, as published
OATS, HONEY, EGG WHITES, CASHEW BUTTER (CASHEWS), ALMONDS, BLUEBERRIES, PUMPKIN SEEDS, BROWN RICE, HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL, COCONUT SUGAR, OAT FIBER, SEA SALT, NATURAL FLAVORS, LEMON.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Tree nuts, Gluten, Egg
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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
-
“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
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
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