# Nature Valley Granola Bars, Sweet & Salty Cashew > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Nature Valley - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Cereal & Breakfast - **Size:** 7.20 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/nature-valley-granola-bars-sweet-salty-cashew-720-oz - **Slug:** `nature-valley-granola-bars-sweet-salty-cashew-720-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains multiple industrial ingredients and additives (corn syrup, maltodextrin, glycerin, palm kernel oil, natural flavors) and is a recombined, shelf-stable product typical of ultra-processed foods. ## Review Nature Valley Granola Bars, Sweet & Salty Cashew (7.20 oz) sits on supermarket shelves in the snack and breakfast aisle, usually stacked near other granola and chewy bar lines, cereal bars, trail mixes and single-serve nut packets. Shoppers pick it up as an on-the-go breakfast substitute, a lunchbox addition, or a quick roadside snack between errands. The brand leans into outdoorsy, active-lifestyle imagery—camping, hiking and family mornings—targeting parents and busy adults who want something that feels wholesome without fuss. Packaging is a small cardboard box with individually wrapped bars, bright Nature Valley green and product photos that emphasize whole grain oats and cashews; label language leans on “whole grain” and natural-sounding ingredients while not bearing organic certification. Visually it trades on a health halo (oats, nuts) even as the ingredient list includes syrups, glycerin, palm kernel oil and maltodextrin. In plain terms this is a highly processed, shelf-stable snack made from reworked ingredients and industrial binders. Sensory notes: each bar offers a crunchy-cluster texture bound with sticky syrups, crunchy roasted cashew pieces and a sweet-salty contrast; a nutty, slightly toasted aroma and a chew that breaks into oat crumbs. Rituals around it are familiar—tossed into backpacks, eaten quickly with coffee at a bus stop, shared on road trips, or slipped into gym bags for a fast bite. The overall story: an accessible, convenience-forward product that balances the cues of “natural” with industrial processing to deliver predictable, portable snacks for everyday American grocery culture. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1.0 - **Servings per container:** 6 - **Calories:** 160 - **Total fat:** 6g (8% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 2.5g (13% DV) - **Sodium:** 140mg (6% DV) - **Total carbs:** 23g (8% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 1g (4% DV) - **Total sugars:** 9g - **Added sugars:** 8g (16% DV) - **Protein:** 2g ## Ingredients Whole Grain Oats, Corn Syrup, Cashews Roasted in Safflower Oil, Sugar, Rice Flour, Palm Kernel Oil, Fructose, Tapioca Syrup, Vegetable Glycerin, Cashew Butter (Cashew Nuts, Safflower Oil), Canola and/or Sunflower Oil, Whey, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Corn Starch, Barley Malt Extract, Honey Roasted Almond Butter (Almonds, Honey, Maltodextrin, Palm Oil, Mixed Tocopherols), Peanut Flour, Baking Soda, Natural Flavor, Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols) Added to Retain Freshness. ## Flagged ingredients - **safflower oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **canola oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **sunflower oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **palm kernel oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **palm oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **soy lecithin** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, road-trip, post-workout - **Vibes:** convenient, nostalgic, comforting, practical ## FAQ ### Is the Sweet & Salty Cashew bar healthy? The Sweet & Salty Cashew bar can be a convenient snack option, but calling it 'healthy' really depends on your personal dietary goals. With 160 calories and added sugars, it's great for a quick energy boost, but it’s not a nutrient powerhouse compared to whole foods like fruits or veggies. Think of it as a tasty treat rather than a health food. ### Is it vegan? Nope, the Sweet & Salty Cashew bar isn’t vegan. It contains whey, which is a dairy product derived from milk. If you’re looking for a vegan snack, you might want to explore other brands that focus specifically on plant-based ingredients. ### Is it gluten-free? Unfortunately, this granola bar isn't gluten-free. The ingredient list includes whole grain oats, which may contain trace amounts of gluten depending on how they're processed. If you’re avoiding gluten, you’ll want to steer clear and look for certified gluten-free snacks. ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, the Sweet & Salty Cashew bar contains safflower oil, which is a type of seed oil. Seed oils can be a bit of a hot topic in the nutrition world, but they’re commonly used for their high smoke points and mild flavors. In moderation, they’re generally considered safe, but if you’re concerned about the type of fats in your diet, you might want to keep an eye on your overall intake. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, this bar doesn’t have any artificial sweeteners. It gets its sweetness from sugar and syrups, which means it’s more of a traditional sweet treat. If you prefer snacks without any sweeteners, you might want to check out options that use whole fruits or natural sweeteners instead. ### Is it high in sugar? The Sweet & Salty Cashew bar has 9 grams of sugar per serving, which isn’t excessively high but definitely means it’s not a low-sugar option either. If you’re watching your sugar intake, it’s good to keep this in mind, especially since it includes added sugars. Moderation is key! ### What are healthier alternatives? If you’re looking for healthier alternatives, consider snacks like homemade granola bars made with oats, nuts, and dried fruit, or even fresh fruit and nut butter. There are also brands that focus on whole, organic ingredients with less sugar and no added oils. It really depends on what you’re craving and your dietary needs! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! The Sweet & Salty Cashew bar is kid-friendly and can be a fun snack for their lunchboxes or after school. Just keep in mind the sugar content and consider it an occasional treat rather than a daily staple. ### Is it good for weight loss? While the Sweet & Salty Cashew bar can fit into a balanced diet, it’s not specifically designed for weight loss. It’s important to consider portion sizes and overall calorie intake when snacking. It can be a satisfying treat, but pairing it with protein or fiber-rich foods can help keep you fuller longer. ### Is it ultra-processed? Yes, the Sweet & Salty Cashew bar falls into the ultra-processed category, given its long ingredient list and added sugars. However, that doesn’t mean it’s 'bad'—it’s just a reflection of how it’s made. If you're comfortable with a little processing in your snacks, it can be a convenient option on the go! ## Related products - [The Silver Palate Oatmeal, Thick & Rough](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/the-silver-palate-oatmeal-thick-rough-14-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/the-silver-palate-oatmeal-thick-rough-14-oz - [Post HBO Honey Roasted Family Size](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/post-hbo-honey-roasted-family-size-23-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/post-hbo-honey-roasted-family-size-23-oz - [Nature Valley Biscuits Almond Butter](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/nature-valley-biscuits-almond-butter-1350-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/nature-valley-biscuits-almond-butter-1350-oz - [McCann's Irish Oatmeal Irish Oatmeal Apple and Cinnamon](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccanns-irish-oatmeal-irish-oatmeal-apple-and-cinnamon-1230-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccanns-irish-oatmeal-irish-oatmeal-apple-and-cinnamon-1230-oz - [Nature Valley Granola Bars, Crunchy Dark Chocolate](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/nature-valley-granola-bars-crunchy-dark-chocolate-894-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/nature-valley-granola-bars-crunchy-dark-chocolate-894-oz - [Madegood Org Granola Mini Strwbry](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/madegood-org-granola-mini-strwbry-425-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/madegood-org-granola-mini-strwbry-425-oz - [Kellogg's Nutri?Grain Cereal Bars, Raspberry](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/nutri-grain-kelloggs-nutrigrain-cereal-bars-raspberry-1040-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/nutri-grain-kelloggs-nutrigrain-cereal-bars-raspberry-1040-oz - [Quaker Old Fashioned Grits 24 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/quaker-old-fashioned-grits-24-oz-24-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/quaker-old-fashioned-grits-24-oz-24-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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