Carman's Cranberry & Blueberry Oat Slices
Carman's Cranberry & Blueberry Oat Slices: independently scored 7.6/10 on Protein Score and 6.6/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
2.3g protein per serve · 163 cal · 9.6g sugar · 52mg sodium · 35g serve.
Overview
This is a classic oat slice, plain and simple, sitting in an aisle increasingly crowded with more functional, protein-first snacks. It's a familiar format from a trusted Australian brand, built on a foundation of whole grain oats, coconut, and dried fruit. Compared to the brand's own Chocolate Brownie Oat Slices, this cranberry and blueberry version has a fraction less protein and a touch more sugar. The ingredient list is led by oats, but multiple sugar sources - brown sugar, golden syrup, grape juice concentrate and sugar-sweetened fruit - drive the sugar content up to 27.5g per 100g. That's more than double the average for the protein snacks category we track, placing it firmly in the territory of a sweet treat. With just 6.5g of protein per 100g, this bar lands far from the category average of 27g. We see this as a traditional muesli bar that happens to be sold alongside more functional options. The 2.3g of protein per serve is what you'd expect from a standard lunchbox filler, not a product designed to support fitness goals. Ultimately, it's a portable, convenient snack that fits neatly into a desk drawer for an afternoon bite. Just don't mistake it for a tool to hit your daily protein targets.
Protein Score: 7.6/10
Is this actually a protein bar? The numbers suggest not. With just 1.4g of protein for every 100 calories, its protein density is extremely low, meaning you get very little protein for the energy consumed. The 2.3g of protein in a single 35g slice earns it a 1.4/10, lagging far behind the typical products we score in this aisle. A dedicated protein bar usually delivers between 20-30g of protein per serve. You would need to eat almost nine of these oat slices to get a similar protein hit, which would also mean consuming over 1400 calories and more than 85g of sugar. That comparison highlights the different roles these products play on the shelf. This places the bar firmly in the 'snack-with-a-little-protein' camp. It's a texture and flavour choice, not a functional one for post-workout recovery or for anyone trying to meaningfully increase their protein intake. It's a muesli bar, and a fairly traditional one at that.
Clean Score: 6.6/10
A couple of preservatives are the trade-off for keeping this oat slice shelf-stable and ready for the lunchbox. The ingredient list has 21 items, which is right around the category average, and includes three additives. This combination, including a preservative (223) that contains sulphites, lands it a 5.5/10 for its clean score. The base is solid, built from whole grain oats, oat flour, and coconut. However, the use of multiple sugar sources like brown sugar, golden syrup, and brown rice syrup, plus extra sugar added to the dried cranberries and blueberries, contributes to its overall processing level and pushes it down the rankings. On the plus side, the bar is free from artificial sweeteners, colours, and flavours, which many shoppers look to avoid. It sits in the middle ground of supermarket snack manufacturing: not a wholefood, but not loaded with the synthetic ingredients found in more heavily engineered bars.
Wins
- Whole grain oats make up 30% of the bar.
- Contains no artificial sweeteners, colours or flavours.
- Comes in a convenient, individually wrapped 35g bar.
Watch outs
- Just 2.3g of protein per bar.
- Sugar is a primary ingredient from multiple sources.
- Contains sulphites as a preservative (223).
Ingredients
Whole Grain Oats 16%, Whole Grain Oat Flour 14%, Coconut (Coconut, Preservative (223 (Sulphites))), Brown Sugar, Wheat Flour (Thiamine, Folic Acid), Golden Syrup, Vegetable Oils (Antioxidant (307b)), Cranberries 6% (Cranberries, Sugar, Sunflower Oil), Brown Rice Syrup, Grape Juice Concentrate, Butter (Milk), Blueberries 2% (Blueberries, Sugar, Sunflower Oil), Raising Agent (Sodium Bicarbonate), Antioxidant (307b).
19 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I buy Carman's Cranberry & Blueberry Oat Slices?
- You can find these oat slices in the muesli bar aisle at major Australian supermarkets, with both Coles and Woolworths listing them in their catalogues. They are sold in a multipack containing five individually wrapped bars. While widely available in these retailers, it may also be possible to purchase them directly from the brand's website. We recommend checking the supermarket shelves or their online stores for current availability.
- Is this a high-protein snack?
- No, this is not a high-protein snack. Each 35g bar contains just 2.3g of protein, which is comparable to a standard muesli bar, not a dedicated protein product. For context, many protein bars on the market offer between 20-30g of protein per serve. This oat slice is better understood as a source of carbohydrates and a sweet treat, rather than a functional food for muscle recovery or hitting protein goals.
- How does this oat slice compare to other Carman's bars?
- This Cranberry & Blueberry Oat Slice sits at the lower-protein, higher-sugar end of the Carman's snack range. It is nutritionally similar to their other 'Oat Slice' flavours, like the Chocolate Brownie version which has fractionally more protein and less sugar. It differs significantly from the brand's 'Protein Bar' lineup, which offers much higher protein content per serve. Think of this as a classic snack bar, not part of their functional range.
- Is this bar filling enough for a snack?
- Yes, for a light snack, this bar can be quite satisfying. It contains 163 calories, which is a typical amount for a snack bar, and is built on a base of whole grain oats. The oats provide some substance and texture, which can make it feel more filling than a simple chocolate bar. However, it's not designed to replace a small meal; we'd consider it a good option to tide you over between meals.
- What does the Protein Score mean for this bar?
- The low protein score reflects that this is not a protein-focused product. The score is based on protein density (grams of protein per 100 calories) and protein per serve. This bar has just 1.4g of protein per 100 calories and 2.3g per bar, both very low figures. This places it well below the average for the protein snacks category. In short, the score confirms you should reach for this as a sweet oat snack, not for its protein value.