January 2020 Degustabox review : Breakfast and On-the-Go

The weeks are rolling by - January is almost over already and I don't know where the time's going ! When an email landed in my inbox to tell me that the new Degustabox was on the way, I did a double-take and checked the date. Yep, it really is almost the end of the month, it's just me that's having a hard time keeping up !

This month's box has a theme that sounds great and full of potential: Breakfast and On-the-Go. We excitedly unpacked everything to see what tasty delights we'd discover inside. As usual, this box is a great mix of new or unheard of products and brands, as well as some new varieties from brands we already know and love. Without further ado, here's a closer look at what was inside the January 2020 Degustabox.

First, we discovered a Bounce Peanut Protein Energy Ball (RRP £1.79), in a vibrant yellow package. This is described as the alpha-male of the Bounce Ball range ! Weighing in at an impressive 13g of high quality protein, with lots of heart-healthy fats and antioxidants, it's deliciously satisfying. I love just how peanutty this one is, with numerous chunks of nut giving it a really intense flavour. Perfect as a health-conscious snack when you've been training and working on your New Year's resolutions (or - ahem - even if you gave those up weeks ago !)

Another healthy snack from Eat Natural : the Simply Vegan Fruit & Nut Bar (RRP £1). This hearty and wholesome bar combines chunky peanuts, toasted coconut shreds and creamy seeds (great for a little crunch), along with unsulphured Turkish apricots for a satisfying chew. Roasted chickpeas bring in some all-important protein and a hint of dark chocolate adds an indulgent edge to this high-fibre bar. If you think being a vegan limits you to nibbling on lettuce, have a taste of this : it's delicious !

I was very pleased to see a Crafted by Cracker Drinks Co carton in the box, as they are always lovely. This Blueberry & Blackberry Fruit Juice Drink (RRP £1.50) didn't disappoint. The blend of sweet ripe blueberries and sharp blackberries perfectly balance each other out, providing refreshment and great taste.

Kallo Organic Honey Rice & Corn Cakes (RRP £1.89) are great for putting together healthy snacks. Sophie loves all of them and regularly buys them. These ones are lovely topped with banana and a thin layer of chocolate spread, or you could try them with Greek yogurt and berries.

This month's Product of the Month is Nescafé Gold Almond Latte (RRP £2.98), which offers a great alternative to dairy for those who need it. (This will therefore be another one put aside for Sophie.) Made with a blend of high quality coffee and almond, each sachet is easy to prepare - just add hot water and stir. Despite the lack of dairy, you can enjoy a smooth and creamy taste and a lovely froth for the ultimate coffee shop-style experience. Being a plant based latte, the Nescafé Gold Almond Latte is suitable for Vegans and certified by the Vegan Society.

This Degustabox contained one product from Prep Co (RRP £2) - I got two as a Degustablogger. Each pot is simple to prepare, made with natural ingredients and contains enough veg to tick off one of your five-a-day. That's lunch at the office sorted then ! The question is, which one will you go for? Indian offers green lentils and rice, plus tomato, onion, spinach and spices. Mediterranean brings deliciously seasoned couscous, plus tomatoes, courgettes, carrots and green peppers. Thai is a tasty blend of rice and quinoa with carrot, tomato, green beans, red pepper and spices. (This one is a great source of protein too.) Or will you go for Mexican Chilli Rice? Whichever one you opt for, there are no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Great for lunch on the go.

Sun-Pat Peanut Butter (RRP £1.79) is packed with 96% peanuts, offering a delicious source of protein to fuel you through the day. Degustabox subscribers received either a jar of Smooth or Crunchy, but I was lucky enough to get both. It is also available in No Added Sugar and Protein+ variants. Pack it on bagels, spread it on toast, make cookies with it or even eat it straight from the jar if you like ! This has been disappearing mightily fast from the cupboard, but I'm not too bothered - the kids could definitely be picking worse things to snack on when they get home from school !

Time for more great snack options that have had us all mumbling appreciatively ! Whitworths Shots Berry & White Chocolate (RRP £1.60) are a great tasting snack. You get a mixture of cranberries, raisins and creamy Belgian white chocolate for a hint of luxury, with each pack coming in at under 100 calories. You may remember, we tried and loved the Chocolate & Hazelnut ones in the October Degustabox too. They're lovely sprinkled over yogurt, baked into cookies or just munched straight from the pack !

Wholesums Fresh Veg Popped Chips (RRP £1.75) are another great snack option if you're trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle in the New Year. They are made with real veg (not powder) so they are school compliant (but you might want to keep the bag in with the snack, to prove it !). They are vegan, gluten free and only contain 1.2g of fat and 86 calories per serving. We got the softly sweet chilli variety, which is made with carrots, peas and potatoes (I think the other flavours are the same but I'm not 100% sure), but they also come in Whole Lot Of Smokey BBQ, Splash of Salt & Vinegar and Salt of the Earth. The kids were intrigued and liked the flavour.

If you're more into sweet treats, the next products are likely to appeal to you : Yorkie More & Kit Kat Chunky More (RRP £1.29 per bar). These are both delicious. Kit Kat Chunky comes with a delicious layer of Raspberry and Hazelnut filling and the Yorkie bar is made with Oats, Apple and Cinnamon. Both have 30% less sugar than similar chocolate products and are a source of protein, with Yorkie also being a source of fibre. That sounds like a great excuse for eating chocolate, in my books !

Zest Vegan Basil Pesto (RRP £2.20) is a brand I'd never seen before, made with the leaf of the basil plant but no cheese or any other animal products. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians, it is free from artificial anything, as declared on the label. Made with cashew nuts, it is definitely one to try out if you're cutting down on, or completely eliminating, meat from your diet.

The final product in this month's box is Chescots Super Gut Porridge (RRP £1.99 - subscribers received one flavour while I got both). Chescots luxury health brand was founded by the doctor and nutritionist Dr Jamie Mills and the porridge pots contain half of your daily fibre (or approximately 15g)  - this is over three times the fibre content of other porridge pots. They come in two flavours - Raspberry & Chia or Blackcurrant, Coconut & Chia - and are dairy free, gluten free and vegan friendly. 

If you're trying to overhaul your diet and try out some healthy lifestyle changes - maybe going vegan or veggie, or maybe adding more protein or fibre into your diet - this is a great box for discovering and testing new brands. Sophie is dairy-intolerant and I know how much many of these brands and products cost, so this is a great way to discover new ones. I've already put aside many of the products from this box for her to try out.

 A subscription to Degustabox costs £12.99 per month including delivery, with each box having a value of much more than that, but the great news is, I have a discount coupon code for you which means you'll get the first box for just £7.99 - enter code PKUFE at the checkout.

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Disclosure : We received the box in order to write an honest review. As a Degustabox blogger, I receive all of the products that go into the monthly boxes, but subscribers may not get exactly the same selection.