Cakes
Kodiak Cakes Protein Balls
2.38 lb/1.08 kg
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
- Seed-oil free
- Contains whole grains
Why it scores 23
Kodiak Cakes Protein Balls scores 23 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Dextrose: 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 pancake and waffle mix
-
Protein Almond Flour Pancake Mix Original Simple Mills · 5 Not ultra-processed · No sugar Score 65 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Buttermilk Protein Pancake Mix Trader Joe's · 1 lb No added sugars · No sugar Score 72 out of 100 , 49 points higher -
Gluten-Free Protein Pancake Mix King Arthur Baking Company · 340 g No added sugars · No sugar Score 64 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Protein Pancake & Waffle Mix BUTTERMILK Flourish · 16 oz No added sugars · No sugar Score 68 out of 100 , 45 points higher -
Vanilla Protein Pancake & Waffle Mix Flourish · 16 oz No added sugars · No sugar Score 68 out of 100 , 45 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Protein Balls
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Dextrose minus 20 points
- Chocolate (sweetened, ingredient) minus 7.5 points
- Sunflower lecithin minus 1.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 1 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 10 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Saturated fat 3.3 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 0.4 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Energy 400 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 6.7 g / 100 g plus 4 points
- Protein 23.3 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 77.5 = 22.5 → 23
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 400 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 10 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.3 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 56.7 g |
| Sugars | 10 g |
| Added sugars | 10 g |
| Fiber | 6.7 g |
| Protein | 23.3 g |
| Salt | 0.4 g |
Serving: 2 balls (35 g)
Ingredients
- 100% WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS
- SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS (SUGAR, UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE, COCOA BUTTER, DEXTROSE, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN) (moderate concern)
- WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE WITH SUNFLOWER LECITHIN
- MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
- PEA PROTEIN CONCENTRATE WITH TAPIOCA STARCH
- SEA SALT
- NATURAL FLAVOR
Label text, as published
100% WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS, SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS (SUGAR, UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE, COCOA BUTTER, DEXTROSE, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN), WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE WITH SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, PEA PROTEIN CONCENTRATE WITH TAPIOCA STARCH, SEA SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Tree nuts, Soy, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More cakes on GoodSwap
-
Power Cakes Flapjack & Waffle Mix Kodiak · 567 g High in saltContains added sugarsContains whole grains Score 68 out of 100 Good -
Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling Hostess Twinkies · 385 g Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in sugar Score 1 out of 100 Bad -
Power Cakes Flapjack & Waffle Mix Chocolate Chip Kodiak · 18 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsSeed-oil free Score 9 out of 100 Bad -
Keto ultimate fudge Birch Benders · 10.8 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains sugar alcohols Score 62 out of 100 Good -
Lemon Cake Quest · 8.5 oz/240 g Contains non-nutritive sweetenersContains sugar alcoholsContains palm oilSeed-oil free Score 47 out of 100 Okay -
Golden Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling 1.89 Hostess Twinkies · 2.7 oz Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in sugar Score 0 out of 100 Bad
More from Kodiak Cakes
-
Chewy Granola Bar Chocolate Chip Kodiak Cakes · 6.17 oz (175 g) - 5 bars 1.23 oz (35 g) Score 9 out of 100 Bad -
Protein-Packed Power Waffles Blueberry Kodiak Cakes · 304 g Score 42 out of 100 Okay -
Graham Bear Bites Chocolate Kodiak Cakes · 9 oz/255 g Score 14 out of 100 Bad -
Flapjack and Waffle Mix Birthday Cake Kodiak Cakes · 18 oz 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
-
“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