Kellogg's - Fiber Plus Chewy Bars Review

Kellogg's new FiberPlus Antioxidants Chewy Bars hit the mark with lots of nutritious ingredients.  What I like best is that this bar actually tastes quite real.  First of all, I can discern genuine oats, a little crisp and a little dry, but definitely OATS.  These are the second ingredients after Chicory Root Fiber.  So... regularity might seem only steps away.  35% is the count for fiber.  Three bars and you're all set to go.  (Just kidding...)

The second thing I like is the calorie count -- 130 total for my favorite flavor, Dark Chocolate Almond.  This is not a candy bar, so the chocolate is demurely dribbled over the top with chocolate chips sprinkled in.  Thankfully, the flavor comes through and the impression is of richness.  FiberPlus has 7g Sugar and 50mg Salt.

The third plus is a combination of "beneficial antioxidants, vitamin E and zinc, to boost... daily nutrition."  I'm happy to take on a little extra help wherever I find it.

Now... we have some negatives to look at.

Of FiberPlus' Five grams Total Fat, half are Saturated (none are Trans).  In a list of ingredients that make this bar seem a little less real than its taste, confectioners sugar comprised of shellac (!) and hydrogenated coconut oil shakes my sensibilities.  Vegetable oils for Kellogg's means tropical oils including Hydrogenated Palm Kernel and Coconut and Palm oils (apparently not hydrogenated this time and a big BOO to all of them).

"Crisp rice" is the third ingredient in this recipe with Roasted Almonds coming in fifth.  Canola oil, chocolate, cocoa, non-fat dry milk, and whole wheat flour fall in the lower half of the Ingredients List accompanied by their faithful assortment of preservatives, fillers, thickeners, etc.

Are FiberPlus Antioxidants Chewy Bars real food?  Not if you compare them to trail mix from Trader Joes or health bars made in your own kitchen (and I don't mean Rice Krispies treats).  Are they healthy?  If you go for the big letters on the box, yes.  But the small print tells us that Kellogg's doesn't care if we soak up tropical oils, for example, a corporate behavior that, frankly, irks me.

I bought three packs of five-and-a-half ounce Chewy Bars on sale at Walgreen's for $10.  I would definitely not pay nearly five dollars a box to purchase these bars at regular price.  Whether I'd buy them on sale again is up for grabs.

Based on their taste and crunch, I'll stick with Four Stars, but just barely.