It's 10am on a Sunday morning. I didn't fancy breakfast earlier and now I'm feeling decidedly peckish, so I've just been to see what would tempt me in my snack box, hoping to find something fairly healthy like a cereal bar. I came across a Bounce Natural Energy Ball Peanut Protein Blast from my Nutribox and decided to give it a go.
As I picked it up, it felt very flat and squished, like somebody had sat on it, so I was expecting a totally flattened or broken mess inside. I peeled open the foil pack and was pleasantly surprised to find a perfectly intact, squishy patty of peanut pieces enrobed in what looks like soft toffee. Looking at the picture on the Bounce website (see below), it is supposed to be in a ball-shape (which is why it's called a natural energy ball) but mine still tasted fine and was probably easier to eat in its flattened form !
A closer look at the pack reveals that this is a "chewy mix of peanuts and whey protein". It tastes a bit like eating a Snickers bar without the chocolate. There is a slightly strange background taste at first - the whey protein, I would guess - but you soon get used to it and it blends into the background as the peanut taste comes through to the fore.
It's lovely and chewy and the crushed peanuts add a satisfying crunch to the texture. It filled me up and left me feeling like I'd just eaten a naughty treat.
The 49g bar contains 210 calories which seemed quite high to me, but on the plus side, it has no trans fats, is 100% natural, GM-free, gluten-free and contains no artificial preservatives. The complete ingredients list is : Peanuts (29%), Brown Rice Malts, Whey Protein Isolate (from Milk), Grape Juice, Brown Rice Starch, Whey Protein Concentrate (from Milk), Tapioca Starch, Whey Protein Hydrolysate (from Milk), Vanilla, Sea Salt, Natural Antioxidant (E306), Emulsifier (Sunflower Lecithin), Stabiliser (Calcium Carbonate). That doesn't sound all that appetising but it is surprisingly tasty !
According to the Bounce website, "the Peanut Protein Ball combines 14g of high quality whey protein, complex carbohydrates and heart-healthy mono and unsaturated fats. Ideal to eat at any time of day, it will help to keep you energised and feel at your best." It is high in unsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, protein, vitamin E, niacin and magnesium, as well as being a source of copper, manganese and fibre.
I was sitting in bed on my laptop, nursing a cold, totally lacking energy and feeling sorry for myself, and the ball does actually seem to have perked me up. I may not be ready to go and run a marathon but I have stopped moaning at the kids and am now about to go and build a play den with them which is definitely an improvement !
star rating : 4.5/5
RRP : £1.79 per 49g
for more information : www.bouncefoods.com/uk/index.php
Disclosure : I received a free Nutribox in order to write an honest review of the subscription scheme, but I wasn't asked to review the individual products.
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wow these look surprisingly yummy! xxx
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