Neat Natural Energy Bars (vegan and no palm oil)
Neat natural energy bars are a bit different, in that not only are they vegan (no honey or whey powder) but they never use palm oil, in order to protect the habitats of orangutans and other endangered creatures (it’s also daft to import a saturated fat oil from thousands of miles away in Indonesia, to sell in shops in England).
Created by two healthy peeps, these are packed with goodness – dried fruits plus nuts and seeds for protein and calcium, and sold at cafes, delis, health food shops, food halls and sports centres nationwide.
Most of the bars have chia seeds, which are high in fibre and a good source of omega 3 fatty acids. They were prized so highly in Aztec cultures that they were use as a form of currency.
Recycle packaging at supermarket bag bins, if your council does not recycle. Keep these cereals away from young children and pets due to nuts, dried fruits, chocolate etc. Read more on food safety for people and pets.
Like all seeds, it’s best to avoid these for young children and people with swallowing difficulty, due to choking hazards. If using them in desserts, always follow recipes to mix with liquid first (never eat them dry).
Ideal for a healthy snack or even a better-than-no-breakfast option if you’re in a rush, choose from 5 flavours:
- Blueberries and Chia Seeds
- Bananas and Chia Seeds
- Red berries and quinoa
- Apricot, chia seeds and pumpkin seeds
- Cacao, coconut & chia seeds
No palm oil (to help the orangutans)
There is no such thing as ‘sustainable palm oil’, because the world does not have enough land, to cope with demand for this cheap fatty oil that is used in junk food and bar soaps. The ‘Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil’ is just a self-policed term by industry, yet our orange-furry cousins are in real danger of extinction.
Many mothers have been shot dead protecting their babies (which is why you have the orangutan orphanage programs on TV). Greenpeace says the term ‘sustainable palm oil’ is as useful as a chocolate teapot.
You don’t need it (and vegan charities should stop certifying foods containing it). It’s used only because it’s cheap, and import is causing unnecessary carbon emissions. Companies can use natural alternatives instead, like this brand. Because it cares more about endangered species than cheap shortcuts to profit.
