Why is Nature Valley Protein Peanut And Chocolate classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and which additives does it contain?

The bar is classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) because it contains multiple industrial ingredients such as added sugars (glucose syrup, maltodextrin, fructose), isolated soy protein, vegetable oils (including palm oil), and a range of food additives: emulsifier lecithin (E322), calcium carbonate (E170 or E170i), glycerol as a humectant (E422), and natural flavourings that include milk, and these components go beyond simple whole-food ingredients, placing the product in the highest NOVA category.

How does the sugar and salt content of this bar affect people with diabetes or high blood pressure?

With 17 g of sugar and 0.96 g of salt per 100 g, the bar can cause rapid blood-glucose spikes in people with diabetes and contribute to increased sodium intake for those managing hypertension; the sugar level is considered high and the salt, while lower than the category average, still counts toward daily limits, so consumption should be limited.

Is this bar suitable for gluten-free, vegan, or keto diets?

The product carries a no-gluten label, so it is safe for gluten-intolerant consumers, but it is not vegan because it contains lactose (milk) and natural flavourings derived from milk, and it is not keto-friendly due to its 17 g of sugar and overall high carbohydrate content.

Nature Valley • 8 x 40 g

Nature Valley Protein Peanut And Chocolate

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Nature Valley Protein Peanut And Chocolate is a snack bar that falls within the Sugary Snacks (biscuits and cakes) group. It carries a Nutri-Score of D and is classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4), reflecting its high levels of added sugars, saturated fat and several food additives, while also providing a notable 10.8 g of fiber per 100 g and a high protein share from peanuts and soy. Although the bar is labeled gluten-free, it contains milk, soy and peanuts, making it unsuitable for those with those allergies and less favorable for low-sugar or low-fat dietary patterns.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Added Sugars17.3 g

Fruits & Vegetables41.5 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average sugary snack, this bar delivers roughly half the sugar (17 g vs 29 g per 100 g) and less than half the salt (0.96 g vs 2 g), but its total fat is markedly higher, pushing the energy content to about 480 kcal per 100 g and resulting in a Nutri-Score of D.

Ingredients

Roasted peanuts (38.7%), isolated soy protein, oligofructose, glucose syrup, vegetable oils and fats (sunflower, palm, shea, rapeseed), sugar, chocolate pieces (4%) [sugar, cocoa mass, cocoa butter, emulsifier (lecithins (soy))], maltodextrin, peanut butter (1.9%), fat reduced cocoa powder, fructose, lactose (milk), (lecithins tapioca starch, humectant (glycerol), emulsifiers natural flavourings (milk), stabiliser (calcium carbonate).

84%

35%

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