For a light snack
Choose a small, individually wrapped bar that fits easily into a coat pocket or rucksack.
Which bar is right for you?
For a more substantial snack
Compare a 50–60 g bar with smaller biscuit or cereal bars, without assuming that size alone determines which one is right for you.
For label-conscious walkers
If ingredients, nutritional information or allergens are your main priorities, check the back of the pack too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the portion size you want to take with you, then compare the nutritional information and ingredients for each bar. Muesli bars, oat bars and protein bars aren’t necessarily the same kind of snack.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and portion size | Check whether the bars are individually wrapped and how many grams each bar weighs. | If I just want a light snack, I want to take one compact bar without opening the rest of the pack. This convenience is a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Size and nutritional information | Compare the weight and nutritional value per portion, including fibre, protein and sugars. | If a small bar won’t satisfy me, I want to know what a larger portion actually contains. This is the first thing an estimated 25% of consumers consider. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about traces. If you’re considering a Zero variant, check the sweeteners too. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the label determines whether I can choose that bar. This check is the most important one for around 25% of consumers. |
| Number of bars and availability | Check how many bars are in the pack and whether the variant you want is available where you shop. | If I’m going on several walks, I want to know how many individual portions I can take and whether I’ll be able to find the same variant again. This is the main consideration for an estimated 19% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Judging a bar by the front of the pack
A claim highlighting fibre or protein doesn’t show you the full nutritional profile. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the ingredients and nutritional information too.
Compare the values per portion and check which ingredients the bar contains.
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Overlooking allergen information
The bars discussed here include ingredients such as cereals containing gluten, milk, soya, peanuts and nuts. A warning that a product may contain traces can also be relevant to your choice.
Check the current packaging every time you buy, even if you already know the product name.
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Assuming that Zero means sugar-free
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Hero B'tween Zero contains naturally occurring sugars from milk chocolate, as well as sweeteners. The product information also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
For this variant, check the ingredients, sugars per portion and any usage warning.
Brands compared
Lotus Biscoff / Trek
Trek Biscoff is an oat bar with a Biscoff flavour, for anyone comparing a 50 g bar with smaller snacks.
- Jumbo lists 9,8 g of protein per 50 g Trek Biscoff bar.
- According to Jumbo, this variant contains cereals containing gluten and soya, and may contain milk, nuts and peanuts.
Albert Heijn
The AH hazelnut muesli bar is individually wrapped and weighs 25 g.
- Albert Heijn lists 24 g of fibre per 100 g; compare that figure with the 25 g portion.
- According to Albert Heijn, the bar contains ingredients including hazelnuts, oats, wheat and barley. If you have allergies, check the warning about possible traces too.
Hero B'tween
The individually wrapped muesli bars include a 25 g milk chocolate variant and a smaller Zero variant.
- The differences between the variants make portion size and ingredients useful points of comparison.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the Zero variant contains sweeteners and naturally occurring sugars. Excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Lidl / Sondey / Healthy Fit
Lidl’s Sondey range includes biscuits, cookies and bars, while the Healthy Fit cookies & cream is a protein bar in its own right.
- Lidl lists the Healthy Fit bar as weighing 60 g, with 20 g of protein per bar.
- For the variant you choose, check the ingredients, allergens and full nutritional information on the packaging.
ALDI / Golden Bridge
According to ALDI, the Golden Bridge range includes muesli bars, fruit bars, and fruit and nut bars in multi-packs.
- The range offers different types of bars to compare by portion size and ingredients.
- Check the packaging of the specific variant for its ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Bars for on the go at Joybuy
This selection includes small muesli bars for on the go and a larger protein bar. For the latter, also check whether the packaging suits your preference for taking a single bar with you.
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Hero B'tween milk chocolate muesli bar, 150 g
A small muesli bar to take along on a walk. Albert Heijn describes this milk chocolate variant as six individually wrapped 25 g bars. If you have allergies, check the current packaging.
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Hero Coconut muesli bar, 6 bars
A coconut variant to compare if you’re looking for a small bar to take with you. Check the weight of each bar and, if you have a peanut or nut allergy, read the allergen information on the current packaging.
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Hero B'tween Zero milk chocolate muesli bar, 6 bars
A variant to compare with a regular muesli bar if you’re interested in the Zero claim and ingredients. Check the packaging for the weight per bar, sugars, sweeteners and allergens.
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Barebells Hazelnut & Nougat protein bar, 55 g, 12 bars
At 55 g per bar, this is a larger option than the small muesli bars above. If you want to take one bar on its own, check whether they’re individually wrapped. Also read the ingredients and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Is one bar enough for a walk?
A bar is a snack, not a one-size-fits-all solution for everything you might need on a walk. What you take with you depends on factors such as how long you’ll be walking, what you’ve eaten beforehand and your own circumstances. Remember to take a drink too.
Which allergens should I check in a bar for a walk?
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific bar on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that 14 allergens must be declared on the label. For the variants discussed here, these include cereals containing gluten, milk, soya, peanuts and nuts.
Is Hero B'tween Zero milk chocolate sugar-free?
No. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variant contains naturally occurring sugars and sweeteners. Also read the warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Where can I find the best-before date and storage advice?
Check the bar’s packaging for the best-before date and any storage instructions. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains what label information is required for prepacked foods. Follow the storage instructions for the specific bar.