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

- 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, I don't. DS eats anything and everything. Although he does sometimes need reminding to speed things along a bit!

- What do your DCs usually eat at breakfast? Are you worried about the refined sugar and salt that most breakfast cereals contain, or not?
DS usually eats wholemeal toast with either strawberry jam or peanut butter. When he has cereals, I'm not as strict as I probably should be about sugar content.

- What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
DS recognised the Bear from the fruit yo-yos we buy, so he was happy about that. He said, "Wow" when he saw the boxes and was very excited to try them. With the cocoa variety, he ate a bowl of them but struggled to finish. He declared them, "Nice, but not the best cereal ever." I tried the cocoa ones myself and found the cocoa flavour very weak and bland. Definitely not suitable to my sweet tooth!
DS said the multigrain ones were nicer than the chocolate (surprisingly!) I had a taste after and they're sweeter than the chocolate. Like a cross between cheerios and honey loops.

- Would you buy Bear Alphabites for your DCs in the future? (available in 375g box, RRP £2.69)?
I would, although maybe not as a regular cereal unless on offer (I usually buy supermarket own brands)

- Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, I would. I like that they don't have a dozen ingredients. Although I'm not strict on the health factor of our cereal, I can see the appeal of Alphabites.

My DCs (4 and 2) loved the packaging, the bear and magnets, they like the cereal without milk, I think it could do with being less sweet but obviously DCs don't mind that! Would but again.

Arrived this morning just as the dcs were heading off to school. They are soooo excited to try them tomorrow!

Thank you :)

I struggle to get my two DS's to eat breakfast in the morning unless and we usually resort to a cereal bar or a pain au chocolate in the back of the car.

Cereals are usually a big no no because I won't allow coco pops ( besides the rubbish ingredients, the pieces are too small and get everywhere) and the boys turn their noses up at 'healthy cereals'.

The box in which the cereals arrived in along with the fridge magnets were a big hit and DS1 poured himself a bowl as soon as he got in from school.

I thought he'd definitely go with the chocolate packet but he chose instead " The ones that taste like cheerios but nicer" and demolished the bowl straight away giving it 10/10.

A big plus for me was the ingredients list and if I'm honest that the pieces are large enough so that cereal stays in the bowl rather than the kitchen floor.

DS2 has gone for the chocolate flavour and again this was a big hit with him asking for the coco pops cereal this morning.

I would, without a doubt, recommend these products to friends and family. Getting children to enjoy breakfast is a struggle and being able to send them of to school knowing they're pumped full of natural ingredients is a real benefit. The fact that they taste so good is a real bonus too!

we have received the bear pack today yay!!. the pack was huge and it has two flavours, my dd is really happy and she is playing with the stickers, she will try out today and will leave the feedback soon. Thanks so much

Our boxes arrived yesterday and ds, dd and I all tried them this morning. So far so good. Will post a full feedback in a few days when the initial novelty factor has worn off.

Still not received my boxes

Box arrived yesterday. Lovely, big green thing- DD thought it was a costly toy for her, so was a bit of a let down when she realised there were cereal boxes inside.

She loved the magnets, she loved the straw packing material more...!!

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?

• Not really. DD wolfs down cereal and fruit, but sometimes she does get distracted and takes a long time to finish up. That is the only challenge. Getting her to eat a little quicker on one of those lazy days.

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 a couple of slices of toast. Used to be cereal daily, but somehow that has tapered off. The wholemeal bread slices with a glass of milk seem to fill her up. Yes, worried about the refined sugar esp. after the whole sugar hoo-haa a couple of months ago.

What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
Loves the taste and the letters design of the cereal. Didn't finish most of her bowl this morning as she was too engrossed in reading the cereal box! My daughter, the literary genius... But to be fair, the box is well designed and there is a magazine's worth of stuff on it. Looks like fun too. She has made me promise we will try out the "glow-in-dark water" when she comes home from school.

Tried out some of her leftover bits in the bowl. I know I am yuck but what was striking was cereal hadn't gone all soggy and mushy. The letters still held their shape and they still had a bite in them. Dunno if that is a good or bad thing.

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

Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
Sure I would. Will I get another box for free if I refer friends? As a referral fee?

Just recieved mine... The packaging was awesome and the magnets are great for my one year old hes having a play with them now :) cant wait for my daughter and fussy son to try in the morning will leave feedback soon :)

I will be testing these with DS1 (12), DD1(9) and DD2 (3).Well we got our very scary monster box yesterday which DD2 was very excited about. We have lot of fun looking at the different monster magnets and sticking them on the fridge. We tried them out this morning and all opted for the cocoa flavour and the verdict so far is
DS1 " They're ok"
DD1 " Yeah there not bad, they taste like coca pops"
DD2 " They taste like Bears" which I think was a compliment. I am now understanding the phrase never work with children. I Shall however persevere.

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?

The elder two DC's are no problems with breakfast, as long as it is vaguely food shaped and flavoured they will eat it. DD2 is more of a challenge and it is usually a battle to get her to eat anything in a morning. She seemed to like these though and ate them happily.

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

I do worry as they usually favour the sugary type of cereal and unfortunately we are strapped for time in a morning so it needs to be something simple. These fit the bill as easy and reasonably healthy

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

The taste was very nice, the only thing I can compare them to is cheerio's, the packaging is tons of fun and DD2 especially loved looking at the box

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

Honestly I would be hesitant at that price, maybe as a treat or if they were on offer.

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

Absolutely, The Dc's enjoyed them and for a cereal they look to be quite healthy.

Thank you for choosing us to test them

Mine have just arrived :)

Thanks Bear. In answer to your questions:

Breakfast isn't a challenge, just taken at a leisurely pace.. Could do with the eating sped up a bit!

Usually eat:

Porridge or
Weetabix or
Muesli
All with fruit

Yes. Worry about the sugar content in cereals, hence why I avoid them for DC and ourselves

The alpha bites all went down the hatch so DC clearly thought they were nice!

Yes I would buy alpha bites in the future due to the healthy concept & good taste & yes I would recommend them for this reason.

They're here. Even the postie was impressed with the box!

• 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?

Not a challange so much, they're not fussy, but very quick breakfasts either need planning/forethought (buying in enough fruit so it doesn't run out Thursday!), or they're not very healthy.

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

I'm not so worried about the sugar for DD1 as she has very little of it elsewhere, but DD2 always wants whatever her big sister is having (and eats better when it's the same). She's still too little for lots of sugar, but DD1 doesn't want babyish cereal.

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

DD2 scoffed them, making growling "om om" noises that usually means she likes whatever she's eating, then signed "more", so I'll call that a success. DD1 tried a few dry, then asked for a bowl of them, with milk. She said she "loves them. More than Cheerios. Same amount as Frosties."

Neither were bothered about the packaging, but DD1 LOVED the magnets! (as did I, the moustache one is causing much laughter at the moment! )

I found them quite sweet, but not sickly sweet. Nice texture, good crunch, and as a PP said, I like the fact they don't go soggy in milk. Also meant that DD2 didn't make as much of a mess, so they'd be good snacks for distracting her whilst shopping and so on.

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

I would like to get them again, but I too will be waiting for offers. They're lovely, but quite expensive.

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

Hmm, quality, taste, nutrition -wise, yes I would, but the price is still a bit of a sticking point. I'd feel duty bound to warn people that they're not cheap!

All that said, we haven't opened the chocolate ones yet. Will post again when we have.

Mine arrived today. Before they are tried, I'll answer what I can....

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?
Not too much. Other than standard "they want to sit in the living room and eat, while I insist they sit in the dining room at the table" kind of 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?
Generally cereal, ranging from Frosties, Rice Krispies, Cheerios, Wheetabix, SultanaBran, or Corn Flakes. They also generally have toast, juice, and a children's vitamin.

We'll be trying them in the morning for breakfast. They were pleased with the magnets, very excited to see the cereal. Have there been ads on the television recently, as they seemed to recognise the cereal and I've not purchased it before? They are looking forward to eating it for breakfast and have asked if they can nibble some dry as a snack this evening (impatience to try it, I think), so that's positive.

Ds has tried the multi grain and said mmmmmmmmmmmmummmmmmm. I will try to get some more intelligent feedback but the noise was approving. He certainly ate the whole bowl.

So a lot of alphabites have been eaten. And not just at breakfast. Ds has enjoyed them as a post-school snack and dd likes to pretend she's a dog and they're her treats

So a popular cereal! In answer to the specific 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? not a challenge, no. The DC eat porridge most days with cereal as a treat. Occasionally they get bored though but they still want breakfast. It is the one meal we all eat together
• What do your DCs usually eat at breakfast? Are you worried about the refined sugar and salt that most breakfast cereals contain, or not? Porridge is our staple. We have cereal but yes it is full of refined stuff especially sugar which concerns me most. I'm not entirely convinced it fills them up either.
• What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept) Both flavours were popular from the off. They are the right size for little hands plus they loved the letters. They have been picking out their initials quite happily. DS loved the packaging and has me read the back. The colours are bright and eye - catching. What did they like or dislike about them? No dislikes so far except that mummy won't let them eat them instead of dinner. Or at bedtime. They like the taste and crunch.
• Would you buy Bear Alphabites for your DCs in the future? (available in 375g box, RRP £2.69)? yes I would
• Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes I would recommend as they're tasty and for a cereal, relatively healthy. Plus, which is important for a pushy mum like me, they have tapped into the educational element. A numbers version would be good!

Well we've tried both boxes now (after much excitement from DD1 at the funky box and magnets!) and the verdict is in

- 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?

It's not a challenge to get them to eat breakfast no, though I do struggle with finding healthy cereal (see below). DD2 is a bit hit and miss with breakfast as she still has a lot of milk in bed in the morning so isn't always hungry. DD1 asks for breakfast as soon as she's awake though :-)

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

At weekends we often have toast and dippy egg, or croissants. During the week it tends to be cereal, but we have a limited range due to all the added sugar and crap in most cereals. So it's either shredded wheat, porridge or museli. Occasionally weetabix or shreddies but as they both have lots of sugar in I always feel a bit guilty. I am definitely worried about refined sugar and salt (not just in cereals but all food) and will happily pay a bit more for healthier cereal as to me it's worth it and I don't want to cut cereal out as I like the girls to have the milk.

I would be interested to know how bad coconut nectar is for your teeth compared to sugar? Sorry if this is a silly question, hopefully another poster might know??

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

DD1 (3) loved them and asked for more of both types when she had them. I tried them too and they are very tasty, the plain ones remind me of cheerios and the chocolate ones of wheetos. I would happily eat them as well as DDs. DD1 is a bit young for the activities on the box but she liked the pictures the packaging is very nice and good quality.

The fact they are letter shaped also went down very well, DD1 liked trying to find all the letters in the alphabet.

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

Yes I definitely will. They might not be the cheapest but I'd rather pay more for a healthier cereal. I will still get museli/shredded wheat etc but it's nice to have variety.

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

Yes I already have recommended them to a friend with a 1yr old who was saying the other week how unhealthy most cereal is.

So far, as a snack in a little cup (dry) they like both types of cereal we received (the regular and the chocolate). They usually won't eat chocolate cereals, so I'm curious to see how they'll respond to the cereal when it's in a bowl with milk. But as a snack, it's gotten thumbs up from both of them.

Got them today! The magnets were a nice touch and pleased ds so thank you. Too late for breakfast but he had 3 bowls at lunch

• 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?

Breakfast is the one meal that ds eats well!

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

Ds usually has shreddies or toast then a banana. Sometimes he has a croissant.

• What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)?

He really liked them, he's only 4 so not bothered about packaging though he did recognise the word no on the packet (as in no sugar, no salt and whatever else it said) which impressed me!

What did they like or dislike about them?
He preferred the ordinal flavour to the cocoa ones. They tasted nice.

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

Yes I would.

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

Yes I would, because it's nice to have a cereal that's tasty but doesn't have the usual rubbish in.

hi

my cereal turned up today, we are all excited about breakfast tomorrow morning

firstly the first couple of questions

1 and 2 my DC love breakfast, they eat mainly weetabix, but will venture into other cereals and porridge, ahead of a cooked breakfast

I have told them that choc cereal is only available on holidays or on hotels so it will be interesting to see which is their favourite.

I will report back tomorrow .

Do you find breakfast with your DCs to be a challenge or not?

Sort of, but only because DS is a fussy so-and-so. What was acceptable last week isn't this week, or he decides he wants porridge 5 minutes before we have to leave. At weekends it's easier because we have more time to faff

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

DS will generally have cereal, toast, crumpets or brioche

*What did your DC's think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)?

He liked the packaging, especially the monst-o-gram thingy on the back and the 'extra bit' on the bottom of the box and he was looking forward to trying them. However, he doesn't like the cocoa ones so he has refused to try the multi-grain one so far. I'll keep offering them though because he will probably change his mind next week. I liked the cocoa one though!

What did they like or dislike about them?

He said the cocoa ones tasted like egg (he standard explanation for something he doesn't like). I will update if he tries the other ones.

Would you buy Bear Alphabites for your DC in future?

I would if he liked them as I thought they were tasty but if he won't eat it there is no point no matter the price

*Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives?

Yes because it is nice cereal, not full of the usual rubbish but still something that I think most children will lik. It is not bland or textured like cardboard, the sweetness is just right (for me anyway!) and the characters are fun

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 it is hard to find healthy options for breakfast. Kids love fun cereals but they are often packed with sugar and salt.

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

they usually have a variety of cereals. They also enjoy toast and porridge too. I am worried about the nasties in cereal.

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

Loved that it was letters so they could have them as a crunchy snack without milk when they got home from school. As well as having them for breakfast like a regular cereal.

even my 2 year old recognised the bear logo because she has yo yos often and so it made her love the cereal too.

I liked the taste of both varieties a LOT. Often sugar substitutes taste gross or have a bad aftertaste but these are delicious.

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

i will be buying for me and the kids.

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

Absolutely. we already recommend yo yo 's to everyone. So will also recommend this.

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 11mo DD has her ups and downs with breakfast. Sometimes she'll eat loads and sometimes she will refuse to eat much at all. She also regularly changes her mind about what she likes - I'm hoping it's just an age thing!

What do your DCs usually eat at breakfast? Are you worried about the refined sugar and salt that most breakfast cereals contain, or not?
Porridge, toast, fruit, eggs.
I am worried about sugar and salt content in cereals, especially given her age, and do check the packets when I buy food for breakfast

What did your DCs think of Bear Alphabites (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
The box arrived today and typically she glanced at the magnets and then got very excited by the cardboard box! She had some of both flavours of cereals as a snack (without milk) this afternoon and wolfed them both down! I will investigate over the next few days as to whether she has a preference...

Would you buy Bear Alphabites for your DCs in the future? (available in 375g box, RRP £2.69)?
The alphabites have approx the same amount of sugar as the cheap supermarket wholegrain cereal I have but they do have less salt so I think I probably would buy them - I think they will be especially useful as a snack for when we are out and about. My only other hesitation is that the alphabites don't seem to be fortified with vitamins etc. the way other cereals are. I can see me buying the chocolatey ones in the future if DD starts wanting chocolate cereal - the alphabites look like they are much healthier than some of the other chocolate cereals on offer.

Would you recommend Bear Alphabites to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
I might, especially if their DC was wanting chocolatey cereals or maybe if their DC was picky at breakfast & I thought that maybe the idea of being able to spell words with their breakfast cereal might encourage them to eat more!

Mine arrived today and the DC loved the crocodile box. We are looking forward to trying them in the morning.

My dd loved the packaging and asked if she could have them in place of dinner. We usually have porridge, weetabix, fruit and fibre or toast with butter and/or jam for breakfast so not hugely sweet options. My dc are happy to have these because we've only ever had these options in although they are enjoying trying out new things coco pops when we're away.

Dd loved both flavours and asked to have both in the bowl at the same time. Ds (3) would only eat the cocoa ones but this is impressive as he going through a stage of refusing anything new. I thought the plain ones tasted like sweet Cheerios but when I checked they actually have less sugar. The cocoa ones tasted less sweet but still appealed to the dc. They liked the boxes and chatted about them over breakfast.

I think these are quite expensive for what they are, a box wouldn't last a week here. However, I usually buy porridge oats and own brand weetabix so that may be an unfair comparison. Certainly if they were on offer I'd stock up!

I would recommend these. They are sweet enough and interesting enough for the dc and healthy enough for the grown ups to be happy providing them.