Ever wondered what goes into a Nature Valley snack bar? From wholegrain oats and roasted nuts to the ingredients that help bring everything together, each one has a job to do.
With different flavours and ranges to choose from, our recipes aren’t all the same. So, whether you’re reaching for a Crunchy bar or looking for a Protein or Protein + Fibre option, here’s a closer look at some of the ingredients you may find in your Nature Valley bar and what they bring to the recipe.
What is in a Nature Valley Crunchy Bar?
The familiar crunch of a Nature Valley Crunchy bar starts with wholegrain rolled oats. They’re the heart of the recipe, helping to give our bars their distinctive oat flavour and crumbly, crunchy texture.
Alongside the oats, you’ll find ingredients that add sweetness and help create the texture that makes Crunchy bars so easy to enjoy on the go. Depending on the flavour, these can include sugar, sunflower oil, honey and molasses.
Nature Valley Crunchy Bars are made with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
What is in a Nature Valley Protein Bar?
If you’re reaching for a Nature Valley Protein bar, nuts and isolated soy protein (plant-based protein drawn from soybeans) are two of the key ingredients. The combination of nuts and isolated soy protein helps provide between 7g and 10g of protein in each bar.
The recipe depends on the flavour. Protein Peanut & Chocolate Nut includes roasted peanuts, peanut butter, and chocolate pieces, while Protein Chocolate & Coffee combines chocolate pieces with instant coffee. The Protein + Fibre range also contains roasted almonds, sunflower seeds, wholegrain oats, chickpea fibre and corn fibre, and provides 7g of protein and is high in fibre.
A Closer look at common Nature Valley ingredients
While every recipe is a little different, you’ll find some familiar ingredients across the Nature Valley range. Here’s a closer look at some of them – and the part they play in our bars.
- Wholegrain oats: are at the heart of Nature Valley Crunchy Bars and also feature in some Protein + Fibre recipes. As a wholegrain, oats provide fibre and other naturally occurring nutrients, as well as the familiar oat flavour and texture we love. Discover the benefits of wholegrains.
- Peanuts, Almonds and other nuts: are featured across several Nature Valley recipes, particularly in our Protein and Protein + Fibre ranges. They add flavour and texture, while also providing protein, fibre and unsaturated fats, as well as a range of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.
- Isolated Soy protein: is used in Nature Valley Protein range to help contribute to the protein content. Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass and of normal bones, while soy provides a plant-based source of protein.
- Fibre: Some Nature Valley bars also contain plant-based fibre ingredients, including oligofructose, chickpea fibre and corn fibre. Fibre is an important part of a balanced diet and helps support normal digestion. Learn more here
- Sunflower seeds: like nuts, seeds provide protein, fibre and unsaturated fats, alongside naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.
- Chocolate and cocoa: depending on the recipe, cocoa powder and chocolate pieces can be used to bring that familiar chocolate flavour and texture to the bar.
- Sweetening ingredients: different Nature Valley recipes use ingredients such as sugar, honey, glucose syrup, fructose and maple syrup to add sweetness. They can also help create the texture and consistency of the finished bar.
- Oils and fats: sunflower and rapeseed oils, alongside other vegetable fats, are used in some Nature Valley recipes to help create the right texture and consistency. Sunflower and rapeseed oils also contain unsaturated fats, which can be included in a healthy and balanced diet when consumed in small amounts.
The key thing to remember is that ingredients don’t work in isolation. Every Nature Valley bar is made from a combination of ingredients, each with its own role to play. The nutrition panel gives you the bigger picture, while the ingredient list shows you exactly what’s inside your chosen bar.
Why are there ingredients I don’t recognise?
Some Nature Valley ingredient lists include names you might not immediately recognise. Usually, these ingredients have a specific job in the recipe. For example, lecithins act as emulsifier that help ingredients combine (stopping it from falling apart in your pocket), while raising agents help create the texture of the finished bar (our iconic Crunch!). You may also see other ingredients used to help with things like moisture and consistency.
So, if you spot an unfamiliar name, don’t worry – it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a major ingredient. Looking at the full ingredient list gives you a better picture of what’s in your bar.
What does “No Artificial Colours, Flavours or Preservatives” mean?
When a food is described as having no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, it means those specific types of artificial additives haven’t been used to change the food’s colour, flavour or shelf life.
For Nature Valley Crunchy Bars, this means no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives are used in the recipe. Instead, ingredients such as wholegrain oats, honey, cocoa, chocolate, maple syrup or cinnamon, depending on the variety, contribute to the flavour, appearance and texture of the bars.
FAQs
What are the main ingredients in Nature Valley bars?
The ingredients vary depending on the Nature Valley bar. Crunchy Bars are made with wholegrain rolled oats as the main ingredient, while Protein Bars contain roasted peanuts and isolated soy protein. Protein + Fibre Bars also contain ingredients such as almonds, sunflower seeds, wholegrain oats and plant-based fibre ingredients.
What is the main ingredient in Nature Valley Crunchy Bars?
Wholegrain rolled oats are the main ingredient in Nature Valley Crunchy Bars, making up around 54–65% of the recipes covered in this guide.
What is in a Nature Valley Protein Bar?
Nature Valley Protein Bars contain roasted peanuts and isolated soy protein, alongside ingredients such as oligofructose, vegetable oils, glucose syrup and sugar. The exact ingredients vary by flavour.
Where does the protein in Nature Valley Protein Bars come from?
The protein in Nature Valley Protein Bars comes from a combination of isolated soy protein, roasted peanuts, almonds that help contribute to the total protein.
Do Nature Valley bars contain nuts?
Some Nature Valley bars contain peanuts and, almonds, depending on the recipe. Always check the allergen information on the packaging of the specific product you’re choosing.
How can I check the ingredients in a Nature Valley bar?
You can find the full ingredient list on the packaging of each Nature Valley product. Ingredients are listed by weight, from greatest to smallest amount, and allergens are clearly highlighted.