Skip to content

Are Feastables Actually Healthy? A Comprehensive Nutritional Breakdown

3 min read

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Feastables milk chocolate bar is approximately 43% sugar by weight. For health-conscious consumers, this statistic immediately raises the question: are Feastables actually healthy, or is their "simple ingredients" marketing just a clever tactic?

Quick Summary

We analyze the nutrition, ingredient list, and ethical sourcing claims of Feastables chocolate bars. Understand the facts behind the viral snack's health profile and whether it is a genuinely healthier alternative to traditional candy.

Key Points

  • High Sugar Content: Feastables bars, particularly milk chocolate versions, contain a significant amount of sugar, with some varieties being over 40% sugar by weight.

  • Minimalist Ingredients: The bars are marketed with simple ingredients, but this doesn't negate their high sugar and fat content.

  • Fairtrade Certified: A major strength is Feastables' commitment to ethical sourcing, ensuring cocoa is 100% Fairtrade certified and supporting fairer wages for farmers.

  • Moderation is Key: Like all candy, Feastables are an occasional treat and not a health food, and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

  • Not 'Healthy' by Definition: Despite their brand positioning, Feastables remain an energy-dense snack, categorized by some as ultra-processed.

  • No Artificial Additives: The absence of artificial sweeteners, flavors, and other industrial ingredients is a positive aspect of the formulation.

  • Still a Candy Bar: Ultimately, Feastables are a candy bar, and even with better ingredients, they are not a health food replacement for whole foods.

In This Article

The Core of Feastables: Simple vs. Healthy

Feastables, the snack brand founded by YouTuber MrBeast, entered the market with the promise of simple, high-quality ingredients. The brand's marketing often highlights its minimalist approach, suggesting a healthier alternative to conventional candy. However, the reality is more nuanced. While using fewer, more recognizable ingredients is a positive step, it doesn't automatically transform a candy bar into a health food. At its core, chocolate, particularly milk chocolate, remains an energy-dense, sugar-laden treat.

A Deep Dive into Feastables' Nutrition Facts

To determine if Feastables are healthy, we must look beyond the marketing and into the nutritional details. The company's own website and other nutrition databases provide a clear picture.

  • Sugar Content: Feastables milk chocolate contains 15g of sugar per serving (1/2 bar, 30g), with 13g of that being added sugar. While this may be less than some competitors, it's still a significant amount that contributes to the product being classified as high in sugar by weight.
  • Saturated Fat: The milk chocolate bar has 6g of saturated fat per serving. High saturated fat intake can increase the risk of heart disease, and health organizations recommend limiting it.
  • Calorie Density: The bars are calorie-dense. The milk chocolate bar clocks in at 160 calories per half-bar serving, fitting the World Health Organization's definition of energy-dense foods that can promote weight gain.
  • Ultra-Processed Classification: The EWG has classified some Feastables products, like the Crunch bars, as ultra-processed, a category linked to a higher risk of health issues like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Feastables vs. Traditional Chocolate: A Nutritional Face-Off

To provide context, here is a comparison between a standard Feastables Milk Chocolate bar and a traditional Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar, based on publicly available nutrition data.

Feature Feastables Milk Chocolate (approximate per 30g serving) Hershey's Milk Chocolate (approximate per 43g serving)
Calories 160 220
Total Fat 10g 13g
Saturated Fat 6g 8g
Total Sugars 15g 24g
Added Sugars 13g 21g
Ingredients Few, simple ingredients like sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, and natural vanilla extract More ingredients and potential additives, depending on the specific bar

This table highlights that while Feastables may have slightly lower calories and sugar per comparable serving size, they are not drastically different. As one Reddit user pointed out, "if you're getting a chocolate bar, I don't think health really matters". The real benefit lies in the sourcing and potentially cleaner ingredient list, not a fundamental change in nutritional profile.

The Ethical Component: A Brighter Side

Feastables’ most compelling advantage is its ethical sourcing strategy. The company is committed to using 100% Fairtrade certified cocoa, which aims to ensure fair wages and better working conditions for farmers. By paying farmers the Living Income Reference Price and implementing Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation Systems (CLMRS), Feastables actively works to combat child labor and poverty in cocoa-growing regions. This commitment is a significant departure from many large-scale chocolate manufacturers often criticized for unethical practices. Their partnership with organizations like Tony's Open Chain further solidifies this promise.

For more information on their ethical sourcing, you can visit the company's dedicated page: Feastables' Commitment To Ethical Sourcing.

The Verdict: Indulgence, Not Health Food

Ultimately, the question of whether Feastables are healthy is best answered with a balanced perspective. They are not a health food and contain high levels of sugar and saturated fat, meaning they should be enjoyed in moderation. Their appeal lies in transparency, fewer ingredients, and a strong ethical sourcing commitment, which is more than can be said for many competitors. For consumers concerned about the ethics behind their purchases, Feastables offers a more responsible choice for an occasional treat.

Conclusion: Informed Indulgence

While Feastables chocolate bars are marketed with a focus on simple ingredients and a fun brand image, the nutritional reality is that they are still a candy bar. Their high sugar and saturated fat content means they are best reserved for an occasional indulgence rather than a regular snack. The main ethical and ingredient-quality benefits are their Fairtrade certification and commitment to reducing child labor, which sets them apart from less scrupulous brands. By consuming Feastables responsibly and as part of a balanced diet, consumers can enjoy a treat that aligns with more ethical standards, without mistaking it for a health food.

Frequently Asked Questions

While Feastables have a relatively simple ingredient list, their sugar content is still significant. A 30g serving of Feastables milk chocolate has 15g of sugar, which may be slightly lower than some competitors but still qualifies it as a high-sugar product.

The brand emphasizes a minimalist ingredient list, typically containing only a few core components like organic cocoa, sugar, milk powder, and vanilla extract. This means they avoid many of the artificial flavors, fillers, and additives found in some mass-market candies.

No. Different products have different nutritional profiles. For instance, the Crunch bar has been classified by the EWG as an unhealthy ultra-processed food, while other simple chocolate bars have lower processing concerns.

Some varieties, like the Almond Chocolate Bar, are plant-based and suitable for vegans. However, their FAQ states that while the bars do not contain gluten ingredients, they are made in facilities that handle them, which is a key consideration for those with severe allergies or celiac disease.

Feastables sources 100% Fairtrade certified cocoa and pays farmers the Living Income Reference Price or higher. They also work with farms implementing Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation Systems (CLMRS) to combat child labor and poverty in the cocoa supply chain.

Like any candy, Feastables should be a limited treat for children due to the high sugar and fat content. While they may have a cleaner ingredient list and better ethical sourcing than some alternatives, they should not be confused with a healthy snack.

Feastables offers dark chocolate options with a higher cocoa content, which typically have more antioxidants and less sugar than their milk chocolate counterparts. However, even dark chocolate should be consumed in moderation due to its calorie and fat content.

Yes. The brand faced allegations related to child labor, which MrBeast addressed by emphasizing their 100% Fairtrade certified cocoa and commitment to fair labor practices. Some tests have also found heavy metals in the chocolate, a widespread issue in the cocoa industry.

References

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.