Is Kind Breakfast Cereal Bar Chocolate with Almonds Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and straight at the ingredient deck. When analyzing the Oats in this bar, the red flag goes up immediately. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they are almost exclusively processed on the same equipment as wheat. Unless the packaging explicitly states "Certified Gluten-Free," the oats are considered high-risk for cross-contamination with gluten.

Looking at the rest of the list, the brown rice and almonds are perfectly safe. The sweetness comes from a blend of honey, cane sugar, and glucose syrup. While these are gluten-free, they contribute to the high sugar content. The chocolate elements—unsweetened chocolate and cocoa butter—are safe, though the inclusion of palm kernel oil is a common filler in processed bars to create a smooth mouthfeel without using dairy fats. Finally, soy lecithin is used as an emulsifier to keep the oils and solids mixed together; it is gluten-free but is a common allergen.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this bar sits in a gray area. It provides a decent amount of fiber thanks to the chicory root fiber, which is excellent for digestion. However, you must be mindful of the sugar content. Between the honey, cane sugar, and glucose syrup, the sugar load is significant for a small breakfast item. It provides quick energy, but likely leads to a crash later in the morning. The fat content is moderate, largely derived from the almonds and canola oil. It fits into a balanced diet as an occasional treat or a hiking snack, but I wouldn't recommend it as a daily breakfast staple for weight management due to the caloric density and added sugars.