Messy Monkeys Chocolate Flavoured Rice Puff Bars
15 min reading time
ReAL FOOD RATING
Price
$6.00 for 6 bars
Where to Buy
Major Supermarkets
MANDY'S TAKE
“This bar kicks off with 30% rice crisps, which might sound innocent until you realise they’re puffed rice coated in sugar and golden syrup. Then comes the so-called milk compound chocolate, which is made with vegetable fat instead of cocoa butter, plus the concerning emulsifier PGPR (476). At first glance, the fibre content looks impressive — 14.6g per 100g — but it’s artificially inflated with polydextrose, a synthetic fibre, which can cause bloating or gut discomfort in some children. Sugar is hidden across multiple ingredients: in the rice crisps, the compound coating, and as glucose syrup, the third ingredient. It’s a textbook case of sugar stacking, adding up to 18.2g per 100g, edging into confectionery territory. This bar is far closer to a chocolate cookie in disguise than real nourishing food, especially for kids.”
RATING BREAKDOWN
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
- Source of fibre (2.9g per bar) - on the downside it is from mostly synthetic sources
- No artificial colours or preservatives
- Multiple ultra-processed sugars (glucose syrup, golden syrup, sugar, maltodextrin)
- 18.2g of sugar per 100g. And close to 1 tsp of sugar per 20g bar (that's equivalent to eating 1 tsp of sugar per tablespoon)
- Multiple emulsifiers such as soy lecithin (322), mono-and diglycerides (471) of fatty acids and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (476) -may disrupt gut bacteria balance and cause gut inflammation.
- Contains polydextrose - linked to digestive issues like bloating, diarrhoea, and discomfort
- Dark compound chocolate = made with vegetable fat, not cocoa butter, and emulsifiers
- Approx 22 ingredients in total - of which, around 95% of ingredients are either processed or ultra-processed.
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 (limit wherever possible)
- Teens ((limit wherever possible))
- Adults (limit wherever possible)
- Contains Milk
- Contains Soy
BETTER OPTIONS
- Oat & Nut Butter Protein Bars made from oats, nut butter, seeds, and banana or dates for natural sweetness.
- Choc-Chia Protein Balls made from combining dates, chia seeds, oats, and cacao for a naturally sweet, protein-rich snack.
- Hemp Seed & Coconut Balls made with hemp seeds, coconut, and oats for a satisfying wholefood treat.
MAKE IT YOURSELF
Want a healthier alternative? Try a homemade version!
“These use healthy and nutritious ingredients” – Mandy
Check out the Recipe
Raspberry Shortbread Bars
Introducing my delicious Raspberry Shortbread Bars! Bursting with the irresistible flavours of tangy raspberries and rich dark chocolate, this wholesome treat strikes the perfect b
Watch the Reel
THE VERDICT
This bar appears child-friendly and relatively healthy. However, with 18.2g of sugar per 100g, four emulsifiers (including PGPR, which is linked to gut disruption), and just 2% real cocoa, this bar is not a nutritious addition to the lunchbox. That’s why it receives a 2/5 Real Food Rating (RFR) score, and our advice is clear: limit wherever possible — or better yet, skip altogether.
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