BEAR Alphabites Feedback Thread - £150 John Lewis voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

This thread is for the Mumsnetters who have been trying BEAR Alphabites.

Here’s what BEAR say: “Grrreetings, we’re BEAR and we like things as nature intended. We started out 5 years ago making pure fruit ‘yoyos’ for kids, with no added sugar, concentrates or any other nonsense. The more time we spent talking to parents over the years, the more we realised that breakfast was also a real challenge for families- the sugary, salty cereals on offer made us growl, so we set off foraging to find a much better alternative.

Made from just 6 ingredients- five multigrains and our super new ingredient coconut blossom nectar - our crunchy cereal letters contain no refined sugar, salt or any other nonsense. From the flowers of the coconut tree, coconut blossom nectar is a naturally sweet sap that makes our cereal letters delicious and crunchy, and also provides over half of your daily calcium needs (one bowl of Alphabites with 125ml of semi skimmed milk provides over half of an adult’s daily calcium needs, with half of this coming from the nectar alone). It also has a much lower GI than sugar (35 vs 70 for refined sugar), preventing the usual crazy sugar highs and grizzly crashes that come from too much refined sugar. ”

Below are a few questions for you to answer about eating BEAR Alphabites at breakfast time – feel free to add any other thoughts you may have though, we’d love to hear them.

• Do you find breakfast with your DCs to be a challenge, or not? If you do, could you tell us a bit more about why?
• What do your DCs usually eat at breakfast? Are you worried about the refined sugar and salt that most breakfast cereals contain, or not?
• What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
• Would you buy Bear Alphabites for your DCs in the future? (available in 375g box, RRP £2.69)?
• Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

If you have any photos of your DCs trying BEAR Alphabites, please add them to this thread. Thanks for taking part:

All testers who leave their feedback on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £150 John Lewis voucher and a hamper of delicious BEAR goodies.

Thanks and good luck,
MNHQ

I think the packaging is plain but nice but it didn't grab me. If someone above hadn't mentioned the two flavours, I'm not sure I would have noticed until we opened the packet. DDs are going to love the shark peg craft though!

My bears arrived this afternoon so after the children have tried them I'll be back with feedback. So far, impressed with packaging and kids have looked excitedly at the addition to the breakfast cupboard!

Mine arrived this morning, thank you, in a hugely impressive and the cocoa bites are now being enjoyed by both DC as apparently 'they will taste better than supper'!
In answer to your questions;

• Do you find breakfast with your DCs to be a challenge, or not? If you do, could you tell us a bit more about why?

DC (aged 2 and 5yo) are getting better, but still have to be reminded to eat breakfast and only ever eat cereal without milk. Bascally it is too early for them to eat before school, as on holiday they east like horses c. 9am onwards.

• What do your DCs usually eat at breakfast? Are you worried about the refined sugar and salt that most breakfast cereals contain, or not?

Usually eat cereal and yes sugar and salt are a worry, but cannot expect them to east muesli!

• What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?

Love the taste, especially as they can now choose between the two types, love the magnets and back of the cereal box, but not keen on the front. Loves that Bear Alphabites are all natural, probably because I do not limit them for that reason!

• Would you buy Bear Alphabites for your DCs in the future? (available in 375g box, RRP £2.69)?

Yes, definitely, but they are not available in any of our local shops; Morrisons, Lidl, Aldi and family stores. Although more expensive than the own brands I'd usually buy, I don't mind pester power on 'less commercial', natural items!

• Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, have done so already, as my brother and his partner are very fussy about what their DC is allowed. Also recommended YOYOs to them, and their DS is now obsessed with finding his final few cards.

Please can you bring out a range of natural toys?! IE not plastic, pink or American?

Very funky box arrived today, thank you! DD is a big fan of bear yoyo's and paws instantly recognised the brand will be back after tasting.

Okay, so an update on the cocoa ones. DS1 asked to have a little pot of them as a post-preschool snack. (I had to turn the pack round so he couldn't see the vampire bat )

The conversation went thus:

Me: So what do you think of the chocolate ones?
DS1: Good.
Me: Which ones do you prefer? The ordinary ones or the chocolate ones?
DS1: The ordinary ones. And the chocolate ones.
Me: But which ones do you like best?
DS1: Both of them.

So there you go

FWIW I tried some of the cocoa ones and they do taste a lot like Coco Pops. Took me right back to my childhood, they did. Yummy, mind.

STOP PRESS: DS1 has just gone into the kitchen, pulled up a chair to the worktop, clambered up and helped himself to a pot of the plain ones (sans milk) and is now crunching his way through them in front of Transformers Rescue Bots. So I'd say they're going down a storm in the Bapula household.

I haven't got mine yet! Looking forward to ds trying them.

Thank you to BEAR and Mumsnet. We only got our cereal this morning but I think we are all pretty much decided on getting more when the box runs out.

Do you find breakfast with your DCs to be a challenge, or not? If you do, could you tell us a bit more about why?

Yes. DD1 (5yo) is very fussy so getting her to eat healthily is a nightmare. I have managed to get her to take multivitamins but she is resisting trying the cereal so far :( DD2 (3yo) isn't a morning person, she's grumpy as hell first thing until she has something to eat or drink. Having something I can prepare quickly is a big advantage.

What do your DCs usually eat at breakfast? Are you worried about the refined sugar and salt that most breakfast cereals contain, or not?

DD1 usually has some toast with peanut butter and a banana. DD2 will eat pretty much anything but usually requests toast or an egg. She tried Cocopops on holiday and liked them but they are so sugary. I'm glad she likes the cocoa Alphabites because they have half the amount of sugar in, plus with the wholegrains they are a much healthier choice.

What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?

They both love the packaging and the monster characters. They wanted me to read all the facts on the back of the box. The letter shapes are a hit too.
DD1 is still refusing to try it (I'll work on it but can't promise anything). I've had to move the boxes to a higher shelf because DD2 keeps trying to help herself.

Would you buy Bear Alphabites for your DCs in the future? (available in 375g box, RRP £2.69)?

Yes, definitely. It may be pricier than supermarket cereal but it's hard to find something appealing to children that isn't stuffed full of sugar.

Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, definitely.

Do you find breakfast with your DCs to be a challenge, or not? If you do, could you tell us a bit more about why?

My DD1 wakes up ready for breakfast so it's not normally a challenge to get her to eat!

• What do your DCs usually eat at breakfast? Are you worried about the refined sugar and salt that most breakfast cereals contain, or not?

My DD usually has weetabix as I am concerned about the levels of sugar and salt in more 'exciting' cereals, especially ones marketed at children.

• What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?

My DD Really enjoyed the Alphabites and asked for a second bowl! She particularly liked that they were in the shape of letters and had fun finding different letters and eating them one at a time! She liked the chocolate ones best.

• Would you buy Bear Alphabites for your DCs in the future? (available in 375g box, RRP £2.69)?

I definitely would , not as a regular every day cereal at their RRP, but would have them in for weekends!

• Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would recommend them because my DD enjoyed them and because they are not full of sugar!

Thanks for choosing us to test !

Do you find breakfast with your DCs to be a challenge, or not? If you do, could you tell us a bit more about why?

generally breakfast is hassle free...for now..lol

• What do your DCs usually eat at breakfast? Are you worried about the refined sugar and salt that most breakfast cereals contain, or not?

yes, it is definately a worry. im forever checking labels and working out which option is best for the children.
for breakfast DCs usually have the following on alternate days.- brioche, cheerios, scotch pancakes and toast

• What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?

my little man loved the packaging and was instantly drawn to the bear. he enjoyed eating them and said 'mmmhh they're yummy'.
it was a real buzz for him to see them in the shape of the alphabet- i thought this was cool too, a real talking point.
its a good feeling knowing they are 'healthier' than most other cereals on offer, ahving said that they did taste awfully sweet...
i love the fact it has only 6 ingredients!! wow!

• Would you buy Bear Alphabites for your DCs in the future? (available in 375g box, RRP £2.69)?

yes, definately.

• Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

yes i would recommend alphabites to everyone. its good to know they re no nonsense and have that healthy approach, something all parents want.

My lovely package arrived today, we're all looking forward to trying them for breakfast tomorrow morning.

We have a parcel waiting next door :)

Ours arrived today too. Will be back over the weekend with feedback...if we have them for breakfast tomorrow, poor dcs will be very confused and think they don't have to go to school (so far, we have managed to get away with "chocolate cereals are a holiday treat" )

Ah well that explains what the parcel was that couldn't be delivered!

No bears yet....hope they haven't got lost in the woods post...?

The cocoa alpha bites are literally the only cereal I have ever bought that I've thrown away because none of us (DH, DS 9, DD 4 and me) could eat. They're really bland, sorry, with an unpleasant after taste.

The packaging was lovely though, and the letters were great!

Another thought: we don't "do" sugary/ chocolatey cereals for bfast - staples are weetabix, malties, krispies, cornflakes & fruit'n'fibre (all own brand, mostly Lidl, otherwise Sainsburys) - so will be keeping cocoa ones for weekend bfast treat but would never buy as point of principle. I am officially a "mean & horrible" Mummy though!

Our lovely Box has arrived too! Dd2 has tried them but dd1 is yet to try them so will be back with the questionnaire answers. Loved the magnets

I'm a mean mummy too fourth for the exact same reason.

How long is this open for? I'm away until next Friday when I hope my bears will be waiting for me! Hope that's not too late!

Have just received mine - I had completely forgotten about signing up for this and was a bit confused at first (I didn't get an email confirming I'd been selected) but I'm guessing I'm supposed to be! Will leave feedback once DCs have tried them.

I have gone right off cereals for breakfast as they as so full of sugar and salt. The only ones I buy now are Weetabix, Rice Krispies and Cornflakes, and I always encourage them to choose something instead, like toast and marmite, or eggs. However cereals are quicker so Alphabears might be the answer. Pricey though...

I have one question.... how sustainable and eco friendly is coconut blossom oil. Is it like palm oil where large swathes of jungle are cut down to farm it? Sorry if this has already been covered. (And I'm off to Google that)

Also, what percentage fructose is coconut blossom nectar once processed and used for this product?

Do you find breakfast with your DCs to be a challenge, or not? If you do, could you tell us a bit more about why?

No really, they are all hungry in the morning and are happy to eat most things.

• What do your DCs usually eat at breakfast? Are you worried about the refined sugar and salt that most breakfast cereals contain, or not?

It varies, porridge for the girls in the colder months, they all like Weetabix, cocopops, frosties, shredded wheat etc (DH likes sugarpuffs), then we have mornings having toast or American style pancakes with blueberries.

• What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?

The children loved them, started eating them by the handful as a snack as soon as they got home from school and it is the first morning this school year that DS didn't have to be dragged out of bed - he was found down stairs with an empty bowl with a little chocolate milk in the bottom, fully dressed. DD2 (age 5) was telling us each letter as she ate it so breakfast is taking a lot longer than usual. They had seem the adverts and were really keen to try them.

• Would you buy Bear Alphabites for your DCs in the future? (available in 375g box, RRP £2.69)?

I might, DH wouldn't as he isn't aware of the Bear brand and would spend that much on something he described as an unknown brand.

• Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

The children have said Ds (age 9) no, DD1 (7) maybe, DD2 (5) yes, DH no. DS said he wouldn't recommend as the Cocoa cereal didn't taste like chocolate, DH wouldn't as not as sugary as his preferred. DD2 would recommend as it was yummier than frosted cornflakes.