Buying guide for Buying guide for best KIND bars
If there was an award for the perfect snack, KIND bars would be a strong contender. Not only are these snacks portable, tasty, and filling, but you’d be hard-pressed to find another bar with so many unique flavors, textures, and whole-food ingredients compatible with a wide range of dietary needs including keto, paleo, gluten-free, and low glycemic-index diets.
KIND bars are available in a host of options that vary by taste, ingredients, nutritional value, shelf life, ratio of superfoods, and whether or not the bar has added sugar or contains gluten. You may find that you prefer one type of KIND bar for meal replacement and another type for snacking or dessert.
If you’re looking for a new treat or an easy on-the-go breakfast with ingredients you can pronounce, our buying guide can help you compare the features that set different KIND bars apart. Keep reading to meet your new favorite bar!
Key considerations
Taste and texture
While all KIND bars are known for high-quality, whole food ingredients, the taste and accompanying texture varies from bar to bar. For example, the Almond and Coconut KIND Bar, which is heavily coconut-based, is too chewy and sweet for some people. Others find the KIND Breakfast Peanut Butter Bar to be a little bland. The most balanced and complex bar flavors and textures are the ones with several different contrasting ingredients (e.g., chocolate, almonds, and whole grains).
Dietary needs and preferences
Some KIND bars might check all your boxes for taste but fall short in terms of dietary needs. Luckily, each variety is so unique that customers can usually find a bar that meets their preferences and needs.
Ratio of fat, carbs, and protein: While all KIND bars contain some fat, carbs, and protein, they vary considerably in ratio. All types have a higher fat content (10 to 15 grams) since nuts are a primary ingredient, which isn’t a problem for many popular diets like paleo or keto. Protein content varies between 3 and 8 grams, while carbohydrate content varies quite drastically, ranging from 8 net carbs (carbs minus fiber) to 22 net carbs.
Caloric value: At the lower end of the spectrum, you’ll find KIND bars with 170 calories, while the more calorie-dense bars weigh in at 220 calories.
Glycemic index: Some types of KIND bar weigh in rather heavily on the glycemic index with added sugars like honey and glycerine. If you’re pre-diabetic or watching your sugar intake, steer clear of yogurt-drizzled KIND bars, which have the most sugar (some as high as 16 grams). If maintaining a lower glycemic index or consuming minimal sugar matters to you, choose a KIND bar with lower sugar and lots of fiber and protein.
Vegetarian or vegan: KIND bars aren’t ideal for vegans because all varieties contain honey. However, since many vegetarians eat honey, KIND bars are a great vegetarian option. The yogurt bars do contain dairy in the form of milk, but the options that contain added protein do so in the form of soy isolate.
Gluten-free: All KIND bars are labeled as gluten-free and manufactured in an allergen-free factory. However, some individuals with celiac disease still notice a reaction to KIND bars. If you have celiac disease, approach KIND bars carefully.
Did You Know?
Double the shelf life of your KIND bars by vacuum sealing them in bags to remove the oxygen.
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Features
Shelf life
Because KIND bars don’t contain a lot of preservatives, they can go stale faster than other bars. Some varieties (especially those with whole grains) seem to be extra prone to losing freshness quickly. In other words, don’t plan on keeping an enormous stockpile. To keep bars fresh longer, stash unopened bars in a food storage container with a lid in your cupboard.
Superfoods
All KIND bars contain superfoods (nutritionally rich foods that are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants your body needs) like dark chocolate, almonds, and pistachios, but some varieties pack a more powerful punch than others. If you want the most superfoods for your buck, opt for fruit-, seed-, and nut-rich bars.
Natural and organic ingredients
KIND bars proudly advertise just five ingredients per bar and are chock full of whole-foods and natural ingredients that are minimally processed with minimal preservatives. While many people are satisfied with KIND’s commitment to quality ingredients, some customers are disappointed to learn that KIND hasn’t pursued organic certification at this time.
Non-GMO
KIND uses non-GMO ingredients in all of its bars. This means that none of the ingredients in a KIND bar are artificially manipulated, which is appealing to customers who are concerned about the safety and environmental impact of genetically modified foods.
Kosher
KIND bars are certified kosher. Look for the OU (Orthodox Union) symbol on your KIND bar to verify. Bars that contain dairy (or were exposed to dairy) will show the OU-D symbol (kosher, but not suitable for Passover).
If you’re planning to include KIND bars in your emergency pack or survival kit, opt for fruit-heavy and nut-heavy bars or chocolate and nut varieties. These tend to stay fresh the longest.
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Accessories
Juicer: Hamilton Beach Big Mouth
If you enjoy the whole-food ingredients found in KIND bars and want another option for eating healthy, give juicing a try. The Big Mouth juicer from Hamilton Beach is an affordable appliance with a wide chute for easy juicing. It’s easy to clean, and the hearty and wholesome recipes included with your purchase complement KIND bars nicely.
KIND bar prices
Single bars
The suggested retail value of a single KIND Bar is approximately $2. However, some retailers price individual bars as high as $3.50. It’s possible to find coupons or sales that bring the price of single bars down to as little as $1.
Bulk packages
You’ll save some money buying KIND bars in bulk. Original varieties (with fruit and nuts or chocolate and nuts) are typically the most expensive per bar, while Healthy Grains varieties are usually the best value in bulk.
Bulk packages of 12 original KIND bars can be found for around $14. A pack of 30 Healthy Grains bars can be purchased for around $12. A pack of four KIND Breakfast bars sells for around $3. As with single bars, it’s sometimes possible to find coupons and sales that bring the price per box lower.
Did You Know?
If your crunchy KIND bars start to turn soft or chewy after being in the cupboard for too long, pop an unwrapped bar in the oven for a few minutes to add crispness.
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Tips
- If you live in a warmer climate, try freezing KIND bars containing chocolate before you take them on an outing. This can help you avoid a melted mess.
- Keep a few KIND Bars in your desk at work. Enjoy them on those days when you need to skip lunch or need a quick, filling boost.
- Crumbly and crunchy varieties of KIND bar are usually messier to eat. These bars may not be an ideal choice for work, school, or eating on the go.
- KIND bars are a great go-to for camping and backpacking. They don’t take up much space in your pack and are lightweight and filling.
FAQ
Q. Are KIND bars helpful for weight loss?
A. While KIND bars aren’t marketed as weight-loss products, some customers find that they make filling and satisfying meal replacements or healthier desserts — especially the varieties with plenty of fiber and protein. If weight loss is your goal, you may find that KIND bars are a useful part of your diet.
Q. What is the shelf life for KIND bars?
A. KIND bars generally stay fresh for one year if the bars are unopened. However, some customers find that certain types go stale a little faster than others (particularly those with lots of whole grains and puffed rice). To prolong the shelf life, store your bars in an airtight container or in the refrigerator or freezer.
Q. Do KIND bars contain high-fructose corn syrup?
A. No. KIND bars do not contain high-fructose corn syrup. Instead, KIND uses honey, fruit juices, natural fructose, and glycerine to sweeten its products.
