SIMSON’S PANTRY WHOLEMEAL HIGH PROTEIN LOW CARB WRAPS
15 min reading time
ReAL FOOD RATING
Price
$5.50/ 8 wraps
Where to Buy
Major Supermarkets, IGA, Harris Farms
MANDY'S TAKE
“This wrap intends to impress with high protein and fibre statistics whilst hiding an ultra-processed minefield of concerning ingredients. With its perfect 5/5 Health Star Rating, this is what the government wants us to believe is the ideal wrap. It contains a potential gut-disrupting emulsifier, two preservatives that may affect behaviour and cause skin issues, a highly refined isolated protein and other additives that have no place in basic bread. Despite containing only 22% wholemeal flour, it markets itself as a healthy choice whilst representing everything wrong with modern food science – creating laboratory formulations that appear nutritionally superior but are fundamentally disconnected from real food. It’s no surprise that it receives a 1.5/5 Real Food Rating (RFR).“
RATING BREAKDOWN
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
- Very high protein content (14.6g/100g)
- Extremely high fibre content (18.7g/100g)
- Low sugar content (2.4g/100g)
- Reasonable sodium levels (329mg/100g)
- Low fat content (6.5g/100g)
- Modified Wheat Starch (1413) - ULTRA-PROCESSED: Chemically modified starch used to artificially boost fibre and manipulate texture - completely unnecessary in real bread
- Soy Protein Isolate - Heavily processed protein isolate can be GMO
- 471 (Mono and diglycerides) concerns: Gut microbiota disruption, cardiovascular disease risk, widespread cumulative exposure problem
- Only 22% wholemeal flour despite prominent positioning - majority is processed starches and synthetic ingredients
- Synthetic fibre manipulation: High fibre from industrial processing rather than natural whole food sources
- 200 (Sorbic acid): Preservative concerns including digestive discomfort and cellular toxicity
- 281 (Sodium propionate): Preservative linked to behavioural changes, headaches, and irritability in sensitive children
- Vegetable shortening: Highly processed fat, llinked to inflammation
- 297 (Fumaric acid): Additional processing aid indicating industrial approach
- Engineered nutrition profile designed to appear healthy whilst using concerning ingredients
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 - AVOID
- Kids - AVOID
- Teens - AVOID
- Adults - AVOID
- Contains gluten
- Contains soy
- Contains wheat
BETTER OPTIONS
- Choose wraps with 5 ingredients or fewer. Look for options made from wholemeal or sprouted flour, water, olive oil, and salt. The shorter the list, the better for your gut.
- Skip the shelf-stable supermarket wraps and try fresh sourdough flatbreads or traditional Lebanese bread from your local bakery, often made without preservatives or emulsifiers.
- Use nourishing wholefood alternatives like large lettuce leaves, nori sheets, or steamed collard greens as natural wrap options. Perfect for lunchboxes or quick dinners.
MAKE IT YOURSELF
Want a healthier alternative? Try a homemade version!
“These use healthy and nutritious ingredients” – Mandy
Check out the Recipe
High-Protein Chocolate Brownies
Indulge in the rich, decadent flavour of these brownies, each hiding a secret twist: chickpeas and tofu. Surprisingly delicious, these treats boast a nutritious boost, packed with
Watch the Reel
THE VERDICT
Despite its “no added sugar” claim, this bar relies on synthetic sweeteners like maltitol and isomalt, which can cause digestive discomfort and are not suitable for young children. It also contains sulphur dioxide, multiple gums and emulsifiers, and a long list of ultra-processed fibres and starches — making it a prime example of an ultra-processed bar. While it may tick fibre and sugar boxes on a label, and receives a 3.5 star rating it fails the real food test. Highly engineered and not lunchbox-friendly — this is a bar best avoided by kids and anyone with sensitive guts. It gets a 2/5 Real Food Rating (RFR) alerting consumers about what’s really hiding inside.
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