Some snack foods should think more highly of themselves. I like these new MilkBite Milk & Granola Bars based solely on the brilliance of their TV ads, which feature Mel, the little existentialist MilkBite who is so meek and self-deprecating that you just have to love him. Mel’s main issue is that he struggles with his identity: Is he milk? Is he granola? Well, he’s both…. And he’s delicious.
Seriously, Mel shouldn’t have such low self-esteem because he’s got a lot going for him. He’s soft, cool to the touch, packed with calcium, and bursting with flavor. I can’t say the same for that unctuous, smirking Quaker Oats granola bar and that pompous cereal bar with the red “K” that thinks it’s so special. They’re losers. So chin up, Mel! Tons of people will eat you!
I never really considered before the potential self-esteem issues that healthy convenience foods might have, so kudos to Kraft for raising awareness surrounding this very serious issue. Maybe we’ll all think twice before giving a back-handed compliment to that piece of string cheese. (“Your tough, rubbery texture makes it so easy to peel you!”) Dairy has feelings too.
And speaking of dairy… since Kraft MilkBites contain real milk, they must be refrigerated, which is something I haven’t ever seen before. Try refrigerating any other type of granola bar, and you’ll probably end up cracking a tooth. MilkBites contain 30 percent of your daily value of calcium, five grams of protein, as well as some fiber, which is handy because I was getting tired of lugging around all those buckets of milk, eggs and steel cut oats everywhere like some kind of 18th century settler on the frontier. Innovation rules!
MilkBites come in five flavors: Strawberry, Chocolate, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter and Mixed Berry. I received samples of the Strawberry and Chocolate bars and found the texture of both to be similar -faintly creamy and chewy like very firm oatmeal. It’s not gooey or anything, but don’t expect much crunchiness from these bars. That’s not a diss, though Mel! You are soft, chewy, and toothsome.
The Strawberry MilkBite was sweet and aromatic and loaded with tasty strawberry bits. Chocolate was rich and yummy with real chocolate chips embedded in the granola. Both Milk Bites were drizzled with icing, which is an ingredient with which you can never go wrong. Plus, since they had been stone cold chillin’ in the fridge, they were cool and delicious.
If you’re in the market for a snack bar that doubles as a daily injection of vitamins and minerals with an emphasis on calcium, but also taste really good, then check out Kraft MilkBite Milk & Granola bars. Just be careful what you say around them.
(Editor’s Note/Disclosure: MilkBite samples were provided by Kraft to be reviewed. They came via overnight delivery in a chilled package. I like penguins. Wait…what? I don’t have to disclose to the FTC the fact I like penguins. Well, now they know. Full disclosure.)
(Nutrition Facts – 1 bar (35g) – Strawberry – 140 calories, 50 fat calories, 5 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 15 milligrams of cholesterol, 65 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 10 grams of sugar, 5 grams of protein, 30% Calcium, 6% Iron, 10% Vitamin D, 6% Vitamin C, 2% Vitamin A. Chocolate – 140 calories, 50 fat calories, 6 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 75 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 10 grams of sugar, 5 grams of protein, 30% Calcium, 6% Iron, 10% Vitamin D, 0% Vitamin C, 2% Vitamin A.)
Item: Kraft MilkBite Milk & Granola Bars (Strawberry and Chocolate)
Price: FREE (retails for $3.49)
Size: 5 bars (1.23 ounces)
Purchased at: Received from wonderful PR folks
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Strawberry)
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Chocolate)
Pros: Charmingly self-deprecating snack bars. Contains 30% of your daily value of calcium. Sweet, rich flavor. Drizzled with icing.
Cons: Back-handed compliments. Cracked teeth. Overly sensitive string cheese. Hauling oats around like I’m on The Ponderosa.
Are these different (regarding the “milk” part I guess) from those cereal+milk bars that were targeted at kids some years back?
I doubt it. I think the whole “has to be refrigerated” thing is a gimmick. Do other, non-refrigerated, products that contain milk really contain FAKE milk?