KELLOGG’S NUTRI GRAIN BARS ORIGINAL
15 min reading time
ReAL FOOD RATING
Price
$7.50 for 12 bars | 63¢ per bar
Where to Buy
Major supermarkets
MANDY'S TAKE
At first glance, Nutri-Grain Bars might appear to be a convenient, protein-rich snack — especially with a name like “Nutri.” But a closer look reveals that over a third of this bar is made up of sugar, with six different added sugars contributing to a total of 37.6g per 100g. That puts it closer to a chocolate bar than the “sports fuel” the marketing suggests.
The cereal base includes mostly refined flours, and the fibre content sits at just 1.5g per 100g, even lower than standard white bread. Each bar provides only 1.6g of protein, despite its branding as an “Iron Man” snack. The chocolate layer? Not real chocolate, it’s a compound coating made from vegetable fat and ultra-processed additives like emulsifiers, humectants, and artificial stabilisers.
This is a highly ultra-processed product, and a clear example of health-washing: sounding nutritious while delivering very little real nourishment. It’s not a bar I’d recommend for children — or for anyone trying to fuel their day with balanced, sustaining whole foods.
RATING BREAKDOWN
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
- Natural colours (not artificial)
- Moderate protein for this category (7.1g/100g)
- Convenient packaging
- Very high sugar (37.6g/100g)
- Over SIX different sugar sources
- Virtually no fibre (1.5g/100g)
- Refined flours and carbohydrates
- Vegetable oil and vegetable fat
- Moderate sodium (275mg/100g)
- 19% Ultra-processed 'choc compound' not real chocolate
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
Natural colours (not artificial)
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
- Teens (Avoid)
- Adults (Avoid)
- Contains gluten
- Contains dairy
- Contains soy
- High sugar warning
BETTER OPTIONS
- Actual whole grain toast with nut butter
- Fresh fruit with Greek yoghurt
- Homemade muesli bars
- A banana with almond butter
MAKE IT YOURSELF
Want a healthier alternative? Try a homemade version!
“These use healthy and nutritious ingredients” – Mandy
Check out the Recipe
Iron-Rich Muesli Bars
If you are looking for a quick and convenient kid-friendly muesli bar without the nasties, this is the bar for you! Prepare them beforehand, and you will have a fast, grab-and-go b
Watch the Reel
THE VERDICT
The ‘Nutri’ name can be viewed as misleading given the product’s nutritional profile. – there’s nothing nutritious here. With nearly 40% sugar, six different sweeteners, and virtually no fibre, this is only marginally better than rock-bottom products. The slightly higher protein content (compared to other Kellogg’s bars) saves it from our lowest rating, but let’s be clear: this is more like a confectionary bar dressed up as a health bar. The fact that Kellogg’s markets this as a nutritious snack option for kids is deeply concerning in my opinion.
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