Review of belVita Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits -- Golden Oat

belVita Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits -- Golden Oat (vegan)
Overall rating: 2.5/5
Summary: oaty indeed. Very sweet. But...plain boring to me. It is crunchy and very fresh like the other Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits, but without the uniqueness of the Blueberry, Chocolate, and Cinnamon Brown Sugar (reviews below). They should have added raisins or nuts to spice it up. The nutritional profile is okay, though the calories are a bit high for something that doesn't taste *that* great, sugars are high, and there's enriched flour. Try the Blueberry flavour or Cinnamon Brown Sugar...way better!

Where to buy: Walmart, Target



Ingredients: Whole Grain Wheat Flour, enriched Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid], Sugar, High Oleic Canola Oil, Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Whole Grain Rye Flour, Dried Apples, Baking Soda, Disodium Pyrophosphate, Salt, Soy Lecithin, DATEM, Caramel Color, Cinnamon, Natural Flavor, Ferric Orthophosphate (Iron), Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1).

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 pack
Calories: 230
     Calories from fat: 80
Total fat: 8g
     Sat Fat: .5g
     Trans Fat: 0g
     Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.5g
     Monounsaturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 220mg
Potassium: 85mg
Total Carbohydrates: 35g
     Dietary fiber: 3g
     Sugars: 11g
Protein: 4g
Iron: 10%

The ingredients are pretty good...would prefer all whole grains and non-GMO canola oil. The calories are a bit high for the fiber and protein count, but it does have healthy fats and is quite filling.

Other belVita crunchy flavours (all vegan):

• Blueberry (reviewed here)
• Chocolate (reviewed here)
• Cinnamon Brown Sugar (reviewed here)
• Apple Cinnamon (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Nationwide voluntary recall by Mondelez Global LLC, East Hanover, NJ of belVita Breakfast Biscuit products, apple cinnamon and chocolate varieties. The recall was issued due to the possible presence of fragments of flexible metal mesh caused by a faulty screen at the company's facility (read here)

Review of belVita Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits -- Blueberry

belVita Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits -- Blueberry (vegan)
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Summary: blueberry flavour is super present and there are lots of chewy bits of blueberries that just make this the perfect mouthful. Every biscuit is fresh and crunchy and super sweet. This is by far my favourite belVita product to date out of the Soft-Baked Breakfast Bar (Mixed Berry), Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits -- Cinnamon Brown Sugar, Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits -- Chocolate. Actually, the Cinnamon Brown Sugar is rated the same, but I am a true blueberry fan, so I'd opt for blueberry. Highly recommended. The nutritional profile isn't too bad and I consider this a nice treat once in a while (sugars are a bit high and calories, given the protein  count).

Where to buy: Walmart, Target



Ingredients: whole grain blend (rolled oats, rye flakes), enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin, folic acid), high oleic canola oil, sugar, whole grain wheat flour, evaporated cane sugar, dried blueberries, malt syrup (from corn and barley), invert sugar, baking soda, salt, soy lecithin, disodium pyrophosphate, natural flavour, datem, blueberry juice concentrate, ferric orthophosphate, niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamin mononitrate.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 pack
Calories: 230
     Calories from fat: 70
Total fat: 8g
     Sat Fat: .5g
     Trans Fat: 0g
     Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
     Monounsaturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 220mg
Potassium: 85mg
Total Carbohydrates: 36g
     Dietary fiber: 3g
     Sugars: 13g
Protein: 4g
Iron: 10%

The ingredients are pretty good...would prefer all whole grains and non-GMO canola oil. The calories are a bit high for the fiber and protein count, but it does have healthy fats and is quite filling.

Other belVita crunchy flavours (all vegan):

• Chocolate (reviewed here)
• Cinnamon Brown Sugar (reviewed here)
• Golden Oat (reviewed here)
• Apple Cinnamon (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Nationwide voluntary recall by Mondelez Global LLC, East Hanover, NJ of belVita Breakfast Biscuit products, apple cinnamon and chocolate varieties. The recall was issued due to the possible presence of fragments of flexible metal mesh caused by a faulty screen at the company's facility (read here)

Review of 'Planters' Chipotle Peanuts

Planters -- Chipotle Peanuts (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: hmm, nice at first taste...then it seems like something is missing...or like the flavours are only thinly coated and aren't so powerful. I did love the spicyness, which somewhat made up for it. I was glad to find the nuts were very fresh and crunchy. I would not recommend this product, largely for the use of artificial flavour enhancers akin to MSG and which may have negative effects on health.

Where to buy: US only (product locator)



Ingredients: PEANUTS, PEANUT AND/OR COTTONSEED OIL, SALT, SUGAR, SPICES, DRIED ONIONS, CHIPOTLE CHILI PEPPER POWDER, DRIED TOMATOES, DRIED GARLIC, YEAST EXTRACT, CORNSTARCH, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR (CONTAINS CELERY), DISODIUM INOSINATE AND DISODIUM GUANYLATE (FLAVOR ENHANCERS), MALIC ACID, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 39 pieces
Calories: 160
     Fat cal: 120
Total fat: 14g
     Sat fat: 2g
     Trans fat: 0g
     Polyunsat fat: 4.5g
     Monounsat fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 140mg
Potassium: 210mg
Total carb: 5g
     Fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 3g
Protein: 7g
Calcium: 4%
Iron: 8%

If not for the flavour enhancers, the ingredients would have been very good. These are both related to MSG (read about adverse impacts on health here). Fortunately, at least the nutritional profile is good, with only 160 calories, healthy fats, and a solid dose of protein. I'd still prefer a nutty snack bar, as I find these more filling.

Other 'Planters' Flavoured Peanuts:

• Cocoa Peanuts
• Salted Caramel Peanuts
• Smoked Peanuts (vegan)
• Classic Peanuts (vegan)

Brand:

• Since 1906
• Sustainability initiatives
• Member of Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform
• ISO 14001 certification and zero waste to landfill status at facilities
• New plastic package is 100 percent recyclable, BPA-Free and has 84 percent less packaging material than the former glass jar by weight
• A founding member of the African Cashew Alliance

Review of 'Sunshine Healthy Snacks' Raisin Oat Bran Flakes Cereal

Sunshine Healthy Snacks -- Raisin Oat Bran Flakes Cereal
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: woah! Lots and lots of raisins. No skimping there. I expected the flakes to be crunchuer. Luckily, I really enjoy this as a warm cereal, so I add a bit of vanilla-flavoured soymilk with warm water; a-mazing. It doesn't hurt that it's got a solid dose of fiber and protein. I personally wouldn't buy this again, but only because I'm searching for a raisin bran cereal from a more progressive brand (e.g. organic ingredients, social/environmental standards, etc.).

Where to buy: Caribbean, Taiwan, Ireland, United States, Central America



Ingredients: Oat bran, wheat bran with other parts of wheat raisins, corn syrup, sugar, malt syrup, salt.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 190
     Calories from fat: 10
Total fat: 1g
     Saturated fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 140mg
Potassium: 220mg
Total carbohydrates: 41g
     Dietary fiber: 4g
     Sugars: 22g
     Total carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 5g
Vitamin A: 30%
Vitamin C: 50%
Iron: 60%

I love the simple and wholesome ingredients, except for the corn syrup (no info on GMO status). The nutritional profile is very good, with a healthy dose of fiber and protein and lots of vitamins and minerals. I think this is a good cereal, though I'll still be looking out for a brand that is more organic-minded and more committed to health, social, and environmental standards.

Other 'Sunshine' Cereals:

• Corn Flakes (vegan)
• Frosted Flakes (vegan)
• Nutty Flakes
• Choco Flakes
• Raisin Bran (vegan)
• Oat Bran Flakes (vegan)
• Bran Stix (vegan)
• 100% Oat Bran (vegan)
• Froot Ooo's (vegan)
• Super Shapes
• Space Froids

Brand:

• Manufactured by Associated Brands Industries Limited (ABIL) (1974)
• Manufacturing facilities are all located in Trinidad

Review of 'Thornhill Farms' Rice Cracker Chips (Sea Salt and Vinegar)

Thornhill Farms -- Rice Cracker Chips (Sea Salt and Vinegar)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: nice and crunchy and fresh. Really great salt and vinegar flavour. Unfortunately, there's no fiber and only 1g of protein, so you better find something with fiber/protein to have with these. Otherwise, it's just empty calories. I wouldn't buy it again for the simple reason that I wanna be able to enjoy it alone without feeling the need to pair it with something for nutrition...it's especially hard to find something to have with sea salt and vinegar! If you're a big salt and vinegar fan, go for it!

Where to buy: online

Ingredients: White Rice Flour, Rice Bran Oil, Corn Maltodextrin, Sea Salt, Vinegar Powder, Soy Sauce Powder [Fermented Soy Sauce (Defatted Soybean Meal), Maltodextrin, Salt, Caramel Color] and Soybean Tocopherols (to Preserve Freshness).

Gluten free. Contains soy. May contain milk.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 26 crackers
Calories: 140
     Calories from fat: 25
Total fat: 3g
     Saturated fat: 0g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 135mg
Total carbohydrate: 26g
     Dietary fiber: 0g
     Sugars: 0g
Protein: 1g

Nope, not a big fan of the soy ingredients (non-organic) and caramel color (artificial, assumed). The nutritional profile is scant, with no fiber and very little protein and no minerals and vitamins. Not cool, especially for people who work out (like me!), where calories really need to be paired with a certain amount of nutrition.

Other flavours (vegan):

• Applewood Smokey BBQ Flavour(vegan)
• Black Pepper
• Sea Salt

Brand:

• Since 2009, Canadian

Review of Fry's Chocolate Cream Dark Chocolate Bar

Fry's - Chocolate Cream
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: crisp chocolate outer and very dense and sweet fondant on the inside. I love the texture...crisp outer plus smooth inner. The cocoa flavour is sharp, which I liked. If you don't have a super sweet tooth, stay away! Ingredients aren't so great and the nutritional profile is pretty empty so this is an indulgence for sure!

Where to buy: Bulk Barn



Ingredients: sugar, glucose syrup, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, humectant (glycerol), vegetable fats (palm, shea), emulsifiers (soya lecithin, E476) flavourings.

Nutritional profile
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 205
     Calories from fat: 59
Fat: 6.5g
     Saturated: 3.9g
Sodium: 0mg
Total carbs: 35
Dietary fiber: .6g
Sugars: 32.2g
Protein: 1.4g

Okay, so the ingredients are basically fat and sugar. Do yourself a favour and keep walking.

Other Fry's varieties:

• Peppermint Cream (reviewed here)
• Orange Cream (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Not very impressive on the health front...at all.
• No commitment to going GMO free

Review of 'Clif Builder's Bar' Vanilla Almond

Clif Builder's Bar -- Vanilla Almond (vegan)
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Summary: vanilla flavour is subtle and the bar is super sweet. I would have liked more chunks of (toasted!) almonds, rather than the smaller bits here and there. The texture is great; thick wafery inner and outer icing layer. I did really enjoy this bar, flavour-wise, nutrition-wise, and texture-wise, but I didn't rate ithigher because the soy ingredients are not organic. In 2015, when so many big companies are producing and using organic soybean, it's time for Clif to catch up! I do still recommend it though, as I have confidence that Clif will eventually integrate organic soy into the already lengthy organic ingredients list.

Where to buy: Fortinos



Ingredients: Soy Protein Isolate, Beet Juice Concentrate, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Peanuts, Natural Flavors, Organic Soy Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Inulin (Chicory Extract), Organic Peanut Flour, Rice Starch, Organic Oat Fiber, Sea Salt, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Soy Lecithin, Soy Lecithin, Organic Vanilla Extract, Salt, Natural Vitamin E (Antioxidant).

ALLERGEN STATEMENT: CONTAINS SOY AND PEANUTS. MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF MILK, WHEAT, AND TREE NUTS.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 270
Fat: 9g
     Saturated fat: 5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 1.5g
     Linoleic acid: 1g
     n-3 linolenic acid: .2g
     Monounsaturated: 2.5g
Cholesterol: 0g
Sodium: 210mg
Potassium: 480mg
Total carb: 29g
     Dietary fiber: 3g
     Sugars: 22g
Protein: 20g

Full nutritional profile available here.

Pretty good ingredients list, except for the non-organic soy. The nutritional profile is quite good; there's a ton of protein for 270 calories, but would have been better with at least 4g of fiber for the calorie count.

Other Clif Builder's Bars (all vegan):

• Chocolate (reviewed here)
• Chocolate Chip
• Chocolate Mint 
• Cookies 'n Cream
• Crunchy Peanut Butter (reviewed here)
• S'mores

Brand:

• No high-fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated oils
• No artificial preservatives or trans fats
• No artificial colours, sweeteners or flavours
• Non-GMO
• Clif Bar Family Foundation
• Commitment to Zero Waste
• Climate Action Approach
• Partnerships with American Forests and Trees for the Future
• Organic farming strategy
• Certified Sustainable
• Community involvement (e.g. collaboration with other businesses, volunteering, sharing products, philanthropy)
• Kosher Dairy

Review of 'Taste of Nature' Organic Snack Bar (Brazilian Nut Fiesta)

Taste of Nature - Brazilian Nut Fiesta (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: mild sweetness, super crunchy and fresh nuts, and soft juicy raisins; they definitely were a tad stingy with the Brazil nuts though. I didn't really get the walnut flavour, even though there are walnuts. The rice crisps added a very nice texture. I would buy this again.

Where to buy: Shopper's Drug Mart, Fortinos, Bulk Barn, Costco, Highland Farms, Metro, Wal-Mart, Wanigan




Ingredients: Raisins*, peanuts*, agave nectar*, sunflower seeds*, almonds*, Brazil nuts*, brown rice syrup*, walnuts*, whole grain brown rice crisps*, pumpkin seeds*, sunflower oil blend* (sunflower oil*, mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract*), agar.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 190
     Calories from fat: 110
Total fat: 12g
     Saturated fat: 2g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 5mg
Carbohydrates: 17g
     Fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 5g
Protein: 4g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 8%

Yay; organic ingredients! The ingredients make for a good nutritional profile and I find that this is a filling bar that I'd definitely buy again. I would have liked more fiber, usually looking for a minimum of 3g.

Other 'Organic Bars' Varieties (all vegan):

• Argentina Peanut Plains
• California Almond Valley (reviewed here)
• Niagara Apple Country (reviewed here)
• Polynesian Coconut Breeze (reviewed here)
• Quebec Cranberry Carnival (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Certified Gluten Free
• Certified Vegan
• Eco Cert
• Non-GMO Certified
• Nothing artificial, no fillers and no chemicals 
• Organic ingredients are supplied through a network of family farms and businesses
• Bars are made in facility in Markham, Ontario, Canada
• Green business practices in manufacturing, packaging and shipping
• Sources Bullfrog green power for processing products
• Recycle food waste to farms for use as animal feed
• Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence
• Alive Awards of Excellence
• LIVERight Award
• No additives/artificial flavours/artificial sweeteners/animal products/dairy/preservatives/simple sugars/Sulphur Dioxide/cholesterol/wheat/gluten; low sodium