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You are here: Home / Reviews / Food & Drinks / Healthy Surprise Box Review

Healthy Surprise Box Review

May 4, 2013 by Susan Bewley

As some of you know, I have been trying to cut a lot of unhealthy foods out of my family's diet. While we do eat quite a few healthy foods, there are some snack foods that we have had problems cutting. Trying to find some healthier alternatives, I looked into Healthy Surprise – a subscription box service that sends you a big box of natural, vegan friendly snacks every month.  When I found out that Healthy Surprise was willing to let me review one of their boxes for free, I jumped at the chance – especially knowing some of my readers wanted to learn more about subscription box services like this.

 

Healthy Surprise Box: Opening

Healthy Surprise Box: Bare Fruit Crunchy Granny Smith Apple Chips

bare fruit

The first product that my husband and I tried in the Healthy Surprise box was the Bare Fruit Crunchy Granny Smith Apple Chips. As you can see from the picture, these chips are very healthy and are just dried granny smith apples. They are preservative free and contain no added sugars, or added anything else, for that matter – they are 100% fruit! While they aren't the prettiest chips, they are perfect snacks for adults and kids alike. In this sample package, you get two servings of chips, which are 90 calories per serving.

So, how did these chips taste? Well, there were mixed results in my household with these chips. I personally thought they were pretty good and tasted like most other natural dried apple chips I have eaten. The mix of sweet and tart made them a great, all natural snack in my eyes. As for my husband – he hated them. He didn't care for the taste and thought they were much too sweet. Since he normally dislikes dried fruit, I didn't find his reaction too surprising.  As someone who loves dried fruit though, I give the first snack in this box a thumbs up!

Healthy Surprise Box: Rise Energy Bar in Coconut Acai

rise energy bar

When I first bit into this energy bar – I was truly amazed. This is bar far the best energy bar I have tried to this date. Even my husband, who hates anything acai, though the Rise Energy Bar in cocotnut acai was amazing. The only thing I'm disappointed about is that there wasn't a second one of these bars in the box! As for the taste of the bar, it is sweet with a nice, soft but chewy texture. Best of all, I had this as a late afternoon snack since we didn't eat dinner until late the night I tried this. In all, this has been my favorite item in the Healthy Surprise box.

Healthy Surprise Box: Freshly Wild Kale Joy

Kale Joy

Out of all the items I have tried in the Healthy Surprise box, this is one I could have lived without. I have to say, I did not like this at all. It has a very strong aftertaste that is a bit difficult to get out of your mouth. The overall texture when you first start eating it isn't terrible, but the aftertaste is a real killer. Since I have been wanting to try kale chips for awhile, I am very glad this was in the Healthy Surprise Box since now I know to avoid it!

Healthy Surprise Box: Walnut Fig Rawma Bar

Rawma Bar

This was another pleasant surprise in the Healthy Surprise Box. My husband and I both though the Rawma Bar was actually pretty good.  It has a nice, soft texture and a sweet flavor from the figs. What surprised me the most is that you can barely taste the nuts over the figs. For my husband, this amazing since he hates most nuts. While I thought the cardamom in it was a bit odd while I was reading the packaging, it really did add an excellent flavor to this bar, making it another must buy in the Healthy Surprise Box.

Healthy Surprise Box: LiveSmart Skinny Yummy Original Nutty Fruit Bar – Raw Energy

Nutty Fruit Bar

The Livesmart Skinny Yummy Original Nutty Fruit Bar was another nice surprise in the Healthy Surprise Box. It is slightly fruity but has a very nice, nutty flavor. This was another energy bar in the box that I wasn't expecting my husband to like. Surprisingly, he seemed to like it. If you are a on a raw or gluten free diet, this is definitely a must have! I could easily see this as a great snack food!

Healthy Surprise Box: Cocomo Joe Fig Bar

Fig Joebar

I have to say this is another bar that was a very nice, pleasant surprise. If you like coconut, like my husband and me, you will LOVE the Cocomo Joe Fig Bar. My only confusion is that there doesn't seem to be much fig in the bar at all. To me, this bar is so sweet I would consider to be a very nice dessert. If you are someone who is trying to fight a sweets addiction or turn it into something healthier, this is the right bar for you!

Healthy Surprise Box: Fuji Apple Crisps

apple chips 1

While these apple chips are really good, they are also very very weird. These apple chips are actually freeze dried, giving them a very soft, fluffy texture. The only strange thing is that they have almost the same texture as communion wafers. Both myself and my husband liked them so it's not a bad thing – just very different!

Healthy Surprise Box: Hail Merry Vanilla Maple Almonds

Hail Merry

This is another great raw and gluten free snack. These almonds taste exactly like you would expect – almonds with a nice vanilla and maple flavor. What is so odd about these almonds is that the aftertaste is actually a very good thing. It leaves a very nice, pure vanilla taste in your mouth that is quite good! If I had to come up with a complaint, the only one I could think of is that the bag really doesn't seem big enough!

Healthy Surprise Box: Olomomo Nut Co Righteous Cinnamon Cayenne Almonds

Righteous almonds

I'll be quite honest with everyone. I was a bit scared of these almonds since I couldn't imagine a sweet and spicy almond. After tasting them, they really aren't that bad. Nothing amazing, but I would eat them. I personally think they are a bit too spicy. My husband seemed to think well of them. While he eats those, I will happily stick to my Hail Merry Almonds!

Healthy Surprise Box: Sunfood Organic Incan Berries

Incan Berry

Okay, I really tried to like these Incan Berries. Reading the package, I was impressed with just how healthy these berries are compared to many other snack foods. Unfortunately, once I opened the package I just couldn't find a single thing I liked about them. They have a very grainy texture and are very sour and bitter. Since I'm not someone who usually cares for bitter foods, I will pass on these.

Healthy Surprise Box: Fruit.0 Bananan Blueberry & Blackberry Fruit Juice

Fruit O

I have to admit, it is very difficult to find 100% organic fruit juice, especially juice that is meant to be portable. When I first saw this in the box, I couldn't help but think how useful this would be for moms who love putting fruit juice in their child's lunch. As for the taste and texture, it is pretty much a fruit smoothie on the go. As someone who loves making my own fruit smoothies in my Vitamix, I thought it was a pretty ingenious idea. While I think it could be better without the banana, it is a good product.

Healthy Surprise Box: Righteously Raw Chocolate

In my Healthy Surprise Box, I got three little sqaures of chocolate – Pure Dark, Synergy Spice, & Divine Mint. These chocolates are organic, vegan friendly, gluten-free, and contain no refined sugars. Having never had vegan friendly chocolate before, I had no clue what to expect. The dark chocolate was very good in my opinion, along with the mint, but was very bitter. The synergy spice though I couldn't even finish. It was much too spicy for my taste (it has cayenne pepper).

Healthy Surprise Box: Overall

Having lived for years with someone who was vegetarian and considering going vegan, I know how difficult it is to find good healthy foods for those diets. With all the yummy treats in this box, I wouldn't consider the starter box a bad deal at $33. The only reason I don't consider it too expensive is the fact that all the foods are gluten-free, dairy free, and most are organic. As well, the box did exactly as advertised – allowing me to try a variety of healthy foods without buying a large amount of product. I would definitely recommend this box and give it an A- rating. While I would love to give this A, I know for some of my readers the $33 cost is a bit cost prohibitive. For those who are vegan or prefer organic food, this box is a great deal.  

healthy surprise box

Disclosure: Budget Earth did not receive monetary compensation for this review , but did receive a Healthy Surprise Box free for review purposes. All of the opinions on this blog are the opinions of said author and these opinions may differ from your own.

About Susan Bewley

Susan Bewley is a professional writer who has been writing content online & in print format for over 10 years. As well, she is an alumni of the University of Louisville with a Masters Degree in Special Education. When not working as an online business consultant or ghost writing, she can be found writing on Budget Earth, on her own novel, or working with various entities in the pet industry.

Filed Under: Food & Drinks, Food & Health, Healthy Eating, Reviews Tagged With: healthy eating, natural food, product review, vegetarian

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. michelle oakley warner says

    May 4, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    great review, i love these type of boxes with good nutritional things in them, thanks again

  2. md kennedy says

    May 5, 2013 at 1:03 am

    What a thorough review!  I love that the items in your box weren't teeny-tiny packages that you get in some others – you can actually taste the product enough to decide if you like it or not.  I may check them out!

    • Susan Bewley says

      May 5, 2013 at 12:55 pm

      I thought it was a pretty spiffy box. This is also their smaller box. They one that has up to, I think, 8 servings.

  3. Angel says

    May 5, 2013 at 7:49 am

    Thank you for this detailed review. That is really a good deal especially since they're gluten-free. I'm a big apple lover so the apple crisps were something that I've already tried but on a different brand.

  4. Tara GAuthier says

    May 5, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    There are some great things in this package, and great sizes too to really give you a chance to sample them! I love that there are gluten free items and those apple chips look awesome!

  5. Susan Smith says

    May 5, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    Sounds great, I think this is a great way to try new products,

    • Susan Bewley says

      May 5, 2013 at 10:16 pm

      I agree! I found so many delicious foods in this box!

  6. ne-knopka says

    May 6, 2013 at 5:23 am

    Great !  i like to try this

  7. samantha s says

    May 6, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Wow! I have been looking into healthy boxes subscriptions and this review really got me interested in this particular brand. I'm usually very hesistant to try anything new without reading a good thorough review about it first. Thanks for the info.

    • Susan Bewley says

      May 6, 2013 at 3:29 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it Samantha! I have some other healthy food boxes I’m still in the process of reviewing. Hopefully you will be able to find something you like 🙂

  8. Sarah L says

    May 7, 2013 at 12:45 am

    I know I'd like the apple crisps and the spicy things. Good thorough review.

  9. Catalina says

    May 8, 2013 at 8:57 am

    I like the kale and the walnut fig! very healthy… Thanks for sharing.

  10. marilyn rhea says

    May 8, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    Thanks for sharing such a thorough review. I will have to keep an eye on these boxes. Right now, the cost is a little prohibitive for me, but maybe there will offer specials or something. I loved your review on each individual product. Would love to try some of the apple slices, as I am diabetic and they are such  a good healthy snack.

  11. Linda Bradshaw says

    May 8, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    Oh wow,  These are things I have never seen.  I would love to try them.  They sound healthy too.    Thanks for sharing.

  12. Faith Young says

    May 8, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    Is there a link to their site here? I am tired so would not be surprised if I missed it, but thought what a nice birthday surprise this could be for a vegetarian I know;)

    • Susan Bewley says

      May 9, 2013 at 8:29 am

      Oops! I did forget the link! Here it is and putting it in the article too – http://healthysurprise.com/

  13. donna harris says

    May 9, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    I like to eat healthy foods and snacks and the apple chips,  fig bar and the nutty fruit bar would be the only things I would eat out of here. The box is to expensive for me to waste the rest of the stuff. By the way you gave a great review on this, thanks.

  14. Darlene Ysaguirre says

    May 9, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    What a great selection of healthy snack foods and those apple chips are so good!

  15. Michelle Bowman says

    May 10, 2013 at 6:15 am

    Oh yum. Definitely love subscription boxes. And I even love food ones more. Another company I must order one from!

  16. Michelle Proper says

    May 10, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    How nice it would be to have nutritous snacks hanging around the house. I also like that I can try products out before buying them.

  17. Kayley says

    May 12, 2013 at 3:52 am

    Wow, that box contains more than I would've expected! I haven't tried any of those items before, but I think my favorite would be the Righteously Raw Chocolate.

  18. charj says

    May 12, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    Checking ingredient lists and discovering that interesting looking products are not vegan can be frustrating and disappointing. Having someone else take care of that step would be a big plus. That said, with access to Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and several health food stores, I can find plenty of new healthy snacks to try locally. I could see where this would be great for folks with limited shopping options. Maybe I overlooked this on the Healthy Suprise website, but are items full sized retail packages or the smaller sample sizes?

    • Susan Bewley says

      May 12, 2013 at 8:22 pm

      They are full size 🙂 It’s one of the things i love about them!

  19. melissa allen says

    May 13, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    wow this is neat!!

  20. DG Middendorf says

    May 29, 2013 at 2:36 am

    What a fun thing to review and I appreciated your honesty on the ones you didn't care for.

  21. mary woollard says

    May 30, 2013 at 11:22 pm

    wow, i loved this review. Im glad I saw this video. I have been thinking about ordering but wasnt sure if i would 'get my moneys worth' but from the looks of it i would be.  i will definately think about ordering now. i love that the snacks are healthy and GLUTEN FREE. thanks

  22. Rachel N says

    June 15, 2013 at 6:57 pm

    Those vanilla almonds sounds really yummy.  I also think I would like the chocolate, LOVE dark chocolate and I don't mind if it is bitter.

  23. Tracy Robertson says

    August 29, 2013 at 4:48 am

    I have a friend who has to eat gluten-free and sometimes she has a hard time coming up with new snack ideas.  I should tell her about this in case she isn't aware.  Great review!

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