Review: Nakd bars! How healthy are they really?

1. As loyal readers of this blog know, at Drosspieren.nl we are often not fond of â € healthy barsâ € ™. Often â € ˜ sugar-freeâ € ™ is the code for â € bump of disguised sugars that are just as unhealthyâ € ™. And also with the nutrients it contains, it is often annoying.

1. But, we were asked by several readers, what about Nakd bars? After all, they promise to be really healthy, unprocessed and natural, with only clear ingredients. An interesting promise, but how much will it actually turn out? We check it out in this product review!

What are Nakd bars?

1. For those who have not yet seen the Nakd bars in the supermarket: these are bars made mainly of fruit and nuts. They are gluten free, vegan, unbaked and contain no added sugars. So at first sight the dream of every possible health trend.

2. For those who have not yet seen the Nakd bars in the supermarket: these are bars that are mainly made of fruit and nuts. They are gluten free, vegan, unbaked and contain no added sugars. So at first sight the dream of every possible health trend.

1. Nakd bars are made in the most diverse flavors. From fruit varieties such as Berry Delight and Apple Danish to nut flavors such as Cashew Cookie and Pecan Pie. There are also a few less-traceable flavors, such as Bakewell Tart and Carrot Cake. Finally, there is also the Crunch series, which is made extra crispy with puffed soy proteins.

Nuts and kernels

1. It is difficult to discuss all flavors here, because there are quite a few. That is why we look in this review about what the ingredient lists of all bars are made up of, and how healthy they are. Starting with an important ingredient in many Nakd bars: the nuts and seeds.

2. We can hardly discuss all flavors here, because there are quite a few. That is why in this review we look at what the ingredient lists of all bars are roughly composed of, and how healthy they are. Starting with an important ingredient in many Nakd bars: the nuts and seeds.

1. Cashew nuts in particular play an important role in many bars. Sometimes as a â € fillerâ € ™ for firmness (31% cashew in the Berry Delight, for example) and sometimes as a seasoning (no less than 51% cashew in the Cashew Cookie). Some bars also contain other nuts, such as walnuts and almonds.

1. We are quite satisfied with this part of the ingredients list. You can consider a Nakd bar as a contribution to that daily handful of nuts. Keep an eye on the calories a little bit (more on that later), and you'll be fine.

2. We are quite satisfied with this part of the ingredients list. You can consider a Nakd bar as a contribution to that daily handful of nuts. Keep an eye on the calories (more on that later), and you'll be fine.

Dried fruit as a sweetener

1. The next important ingredient is in almost all Nakd bars of dried fruit. Usually this concerns dates. These sometimes make up more than half of the ingredients (52% in the Pecan Pie, for example). Sometimes a few percent of raisins are added.

2. The next important ingredient in almost all Nakd bars is dried fruit. Usually this concerns dates. These sometimes make up more than half of the ingredients (52% in the Pecan Pie, for example). Sometimes a few percent of raisins are added.

1. Now dried fruit is indeed healthier than refined sugar, because it provides more fiber and vitamins. But beware: the sugars in it are still just sugars! So they still cause a rise in your blood sugar and all related consequences. And because the sugar in dried fruit is relatively concentrated, that effect is stronger than with fresh fruit.

1. That doesn't make dates suddenly unhealthy. You can enjoy it to a limited extent. But when half of your bar is made up, with such a snack you suddenly also consume a large mountain of sugars. It is important to be aware of that anyway.

2. That doesn't make dates suddenly unhealthy. You can enjoy it to a limited extent. But when half of your bar is made up, with such a snack you suddenly also consume a large mountain of sugars. It's important to be aware of that anyway.

Natural Flavors

1. Finally, one last ingredient that you see on many of the labels: natural flavors. This is the point we are least pleased with. After all, â € œNatural flavoringsâ € is a very broad category. And there is no further indication whatsoever which flavorings are involved.

2. Finally, one last ingredient that you see on many of the labels: natural flavors. This is the point we are least pleased with. “Natural flavorings” is a very broad category. And there is no further indication whatsoever which flavorings are involved.

1. Often they also play a considerable role. In the Cocoa Orange, for example, there is no hint of orange! So the citrus flavor has to come from the â € œnatural flavoringsâ € â € “but we have no idea how natural or healthy they are. Something similar applies to several other flavors.

2. Often they also play a considerable role. In the Cocoa Orange, for example, there is no hint of orange! So the citrus flavor must come from the â € œnatural flavoringsâ € â € “but we have no idea how natural or healthy they are. Something similar applies to several other flavors.

Nutritional value Nakd bars

1. So far the ingredients. Finally, what about the nutritional value of the Nakd bars? The energy value differs per taste, but is on average between 350 and 450 kcal per 100 grams. This is about 120 to 150 kcal per bar of 35 grams. That's a great amount for a snack.

2. So far the ingredients. Finally, what about the nutritional value of the Nakd bars? The energy value differs per taste, but is on average between 350 and 450 kcal per 100 grams. That is about 120 to 150 kcal per bar of 35 grams. That's a great amount for a snack.

1. It is important to take into account: as mentioned, a large part of those calories come from fast sugars. That is about 13 grams per bar, sometimes even a little more. If you are sensitive to that, you can feel that dose in your energy levels quite quickly! The amount of fiber is not really high enough to completely counteract that effect.

1. Finally, the Nakd bars contain quite a lot of fats, which should not be a surprise considering the nuts. For extra protein these bars are not a very efficient choice: you will not get more than 2-3 grams per bar.

Are Nakd Bars Healthy?

1. So, all in all, are the Nakd bars a healthy snack choice? In any case, they are a lot better than the average energy bar. Since they are slightly smaller, there is little risk of overeating. And it doesn't contain mountains of highly processed “natural sugars” that are just as unhealthy as refined sugars.

1. The main drawback is that the Nakd bars still contain a lot of sugars and thus still cause spikes in the blood sugar level. It is also unfortunate that the list of ingredients is a little less transparent than it wants to appear. The unnamed â € œnatural flavoringsâ € still raise questions.

1. All in all, not a bar to eat four of them a day, but a great option for every now and then. Keep an eye on the ingredient lists and preferably choose a flavor that contains less sugar and more nuts. This limits the disadvantages as much as possible and you use the Nakd bars mainly as a sweetened handful of nuts!