Home/Snacks/Meal bars
Atkins, Atkins Nutritional Inc.
Atkins, Atkins Nutritional Inc.

Meal bars

Meal bars nutrition label, ingredients and packaging

Not Vegan

Contains 'milk'

Health ScorePoor
45/100
Calories
400
Sugar
3g
Advertisement

Family & Pet Safety

🚫

Not Dog Safe 🐶❌

❌ TOXIC: Theobromine causes heart failure.
Ref: ASPCA
❌ TOXIC: High Theobromine content.
Ref: ASPCA
⚠️ LAXATIVE: Severe diarrhea/gas.
Ref: PetMD
⚠️ SODIUM ION POISONING: Vomiting, seizures (in high doses).
Ref: Merck Vet
🤰

Pregnancy Safe? 🤰✅

Safe for consumption.

👶

Limit for Kids 👶⚠️

⚠️ SWEETENER: Contains methylene chloride. (CSPI)

Ingredient Decoder

High Risk Additives

Peanut

One of the Top 9 Major Allergens. Peanut allergies are among the most severe and life-threatening, often requiring those affected to carry an EpiPen at all times.

Mono- and Diglycerides

Emulsifiers that can contain small amounts of trans fats, but loophole laws allow foods containing them to be labeled '0g Trans Fat'.

Moderate Caution

Palm Oil

A vegetable fat high in saturated fatty acids. Its massive production is a primary driver of deforestation, endangering species like orangutans. Refined palm oil may also contain harmful contaminants.

Artificial Flavor

A mixture of chemicals synthesized in a lab to mimic natural tastes. Manufacturers are not required to disclose the specific ingredients used in these proprietary blends.

Maltodextrin

A highly processed white powder from corn or wheat. It has a higher Glycemic Index than table sugar (spiking insulin rapidly) and can suppress good gut bacteria.

Dextrose

A simple sugar chemically identical to glucose. It absorbs instantly into the bloodstream, causing rapid energy spikes and crashes. Often used as a filler.

Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K)

A calorie-free sweetener usually blended with Sucralose. Contains Methylene Chloride (a carcinogen) residues from manufacturing, though FDA deems levels safe.

Polydextrose

A synthetic polymer of glucose used to add bulk to low-calorie foods. Can cause significant gas, bloating, and laxative effects.

Soy Protein Isolate

A highly processed protein. The extraction process often uses hexane (a neurotoxin). It also contains high levels of phytoestrogens.

Maltitol

A sugar alcohol with a high glycemic index (spikes blood sugar) compared to others, and causes significant laxative effects.

Full Ingredients List:

Chocolate flavored coating [polydextrose, palm kernel and palm oil, whey protein isolate, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), soy lecithin, artificial flavor, sucralose, acesulfame potassium], peanut butter flavored layer [maltitol, palm kernel and palm oil, peanut butter, partially defatted peanut flour, nonfat dry milk, whey powder, peanuts, salt, soy lecithin, anhydrous milk fat, cocoa powder (processed with alkali)], glycerin, protein blend (soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate, sodium caseinate), peanuts, hydrolyzed gelatin, water, polydextrose, peanut butter (ground, roasted peanuts), cellulose, natural and artificial flavors, palm kernel oil, olive oil, clarified butter, soy lecithin, guar gum, vitamin mineral mix [dicalcium phosphate, magnesium oxide, ascorbic acid (vitamin c), sodium ascorbate, vitamin e acetate, niacinamide, zinc oxide, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin b6), thiamin mononitrate (vitamin b1), riboflavin (vitamin b2), vitamin a palmitate, folic acid, biotin, chromium amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, phylloquinone (vitamin k1), cyanocobalamin (vitamin b12)], salt, maltodextrin, citric acid, sucralose, mono and diglycerides, dipotassium phosphate.

Diet Compatibility

🌱

Vegan

Avoid

🌾

Gluten-Free

OK

🥩

Keto

Avoid

What you need to know

Fat in high quantity (25g)

A high consumption of fat can raise cholesterol and increase heart disease risk. Limit consumption.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS) - Fat: the facts

Saturated Fat in high quantity (13.3g)

High consumption of saturated fats increases the risk of heart diseases. Choose products with lower content.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS)

Sugars in low quantity (3.33g)

Low sugar content. Good for weight control and dental health.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS) - Sugar: the facts

Salt in moderate quantity (1.08g)

Salt in moderate quantity.

Source: WHO - Fact sheet - Salt reduction

Health Benefits

  • Low Sugar

Cons & Warnings

  • Contains Peanut

Processing Level

Based on ingredient analysis (NOVA System)

NOVA 4: Ultra Processed

Analysis Report

Dr. Mark Chen, PhD

Dr. Mark Chen, PhD

Food Scientist

"Mark analyzes food processing levels and additive safety."

Health Integrity Analysis

Is Meal bars truly good for you, or is it just clever marketing? We analyzed the nutritional density, ingredient safety, and processing levels using the CakeID Algorithm. With a calculated health score of 45/100, here is the deep dive into what you are actually eating.

⚠️ Additive Watch: Critical Flags

The ingredient list reveals the presence of Peanut. One of the Top 9 Major Allergens. Peanut allergies are among the most severe and life-threatening, often requiring those affected to carry an EpiPen at all times. For health-conscious consumers, this is a significant red flag that lowered the product's overall score.

Nutritional Balance

With only 3g of sugar, this product maintains a balanced profile. It avoids the excessive sweetness of typical processed foods while providing 27g of protein.

Final Verdict

Taking into account the macro-nutrient balance, additive risks, and caloric density, Meal bars achieves a CakeID Score of 45/100.

Treat Only: Due to the low score, we recommend enjoying this only as an occasional treat rather than a dietary staple.

Health Recommendations

Muscle Fuel

Great protein source.

Gut Health

Good fiber content.

More from Atkins, Atkins Nutritional Inc.

View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Meal bars healthy?
It depends on your goals. With a score of 45/100, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Is Meal bars Vegan?
No. Contains 'milk'.
Does it contain harmful additives?
Yes, it contains Peanut, which is flagged in our database.
Disclaimer: The information provided by CakeID is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult a professional for dietary concerns.

Scan to Verify

Official GTIN Code

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 package

Amount per serving
Calories
400
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25g32%
Saturated Fat 13g65%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 0mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 38g14%
Dietary Fiber 20g71%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 27g
Vitamin D 0mcg0%
Calcium 0mg0%
Iron 0mg0%
Potassium 0mg0%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Burn It Off

To burn off the 400 kcal in 100g, you'd need to:

40
Run
50
Cycle
100
Walk

Sugar Visualization

1 cube ≈ 4g sugar (Contains ~1 cubes)

Macros

FDA Check

Passed. No active recalls.