CARMAN’S NUT BARS ALMOND, HAZELNUT & VANILLA
15 min reading time
ReAL FOOD RATING
Price
$7.50 for 5 bars
Where to Buy
Major supermarkets
MANDY'S TAKE
“This is one of my favourite Carman’s bars! By prioritising nuts over sugar, they’ve created something actually nutritious. The 6g of protein per bar and good fats make this a proper snack, not just empty calories. Yes, I’d prefer dates to glucose, and the 4.9g of sugar per bar could be lower but in the commercial bar world, this is an okay option (and the HSR is actually right on this one). Proof that established brands like Carman’s CAN reformulate and offer more real food options.”
RATING BREAKDOWN
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
- 70% nuts and seeds - real food foundation!
- Good protein (6g per serve)
- Source of fibre (2.8g per serve)
- Very low sodium (14mg/100g)
- Healthy fats from whole nuts
- NB: Sits on the cusp of OKAY/GOOD due to inclusion of Glucose
- Glucose as second ingredient (ultra-processed)
- Moderate sugar (14.1g/100g) - lower than others in this range
- Multiple sugar sources (glucose, honey, brown rice syrup)
- Calorie dense (2230kj/100g)
NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
Processed sugars: brown rice syrup and sugar
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 (watch for choking contains whole nuts)
- Teens (post-sport, high energy)
- Adults (watch portions, calorie dense)
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
- High protein
- Contains almond, hazelnut and peanuts
BETTER OPTIONS
- DIY trail mix (no added sugars or oils)
- Raw mixed nuts
- Homemade energy balls
- Whole almonds and apple (natural energy, no processing)
- Higher protein real food bars (made with dates, no glucose)
MAKE IT YOURSELF
Want a healthier alternative? Try a homemade version!
“These use healthy and nutritious ingredients” – Mandy
Check out the Recipe
On-the-go Breakfast Bars
My delicious On-the-go Muesli Breakfast Bars provide a chewy and nutritious start to your day! Unlike store-bought muesli bars that are loaded with additives and sugar, these whole
Watch the Reel
THE VERDICT
This bar sits on the borderline between OKAY and GOOD, thanks to its wholefood foundation, high protein, and lower-than-expected sugar. While we’d always prefer dates to glucose, Carman’s has clearly shifted priorities here by putting real food ingredients first. This is proof that with a few smart tweaks, even mass-market bars can move toward genuinely nutritious territory. It’s not an everyday option for young kid, but for adults and active teens, it’s a solid upgrade. It gets a 3.75/4 Real Food Rating.
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