Soreen Lunchbox Loaves feedback thread – find out what MNers and bloggers think NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

We gave 100 Mumsnetters the chance to test Soreen’s Lunchbox Loaves, in both banana and malt varieties. Hear what they – and their 2-11 year-old DCs – had to say, after they’d tried the lunchbox treats.

Soreen have said: “we know how hard it is to find a snack for school lunchboxes that’s both nutritious and tasty but Soreen Lunchbox Loaves strike that perfect balance. Available in Malt and Banana flavour with a satisfyingly squidgy texture, Lunchbox Loaves are individually wrapped, low in fat, contain only 95 calories and provide a source of fibre.”

“If this doesn’t already sound too good to be true, Lunchbox Loaves are suitable for vegetarians and meet the guidelines set by the Children’s Food Trust for ‘School Foods Standards’.”

Testers, please answer the following questions:

• Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?
• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?
• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?
• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

Everyone who leaves their feedback on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

We also asked 5 Mumsnet bloggers to test out the Soreen Lunchbox Loaves; you can read their reviews here:

• What the Redhead said
• Chelsea Mamma
• Attachment Mummy
• Life With Pink Princesses
• Mummy from the Heart

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?
My 10 year old DD loved the banana ones, i like both though the banana ones are very moreish.

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Definitely i added them alongside a sandwich, drink and piece of fruit. They are more filling than a cake or biscuit which is a bonus. They keep their shape in the lunch box and dont go messy. They are easy to eat and just the right size for little ones.

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

yes definitely as well as being filling. Much better than a cake bar or salty snack.

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?

Yes they are enjoyed by all members of the family, even the postman likes them he remarked on them when delivering and asked the kids to save him one . Also they are easy to store dont need special temps etc so can go in winter lunchboxes and summer ones.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

I already have :)

Update to previous post - the bananaloaves got a big thumbs up all round from the dc's - said they were like cake and were surprised to learn that they were healthy for them. These will definitely become a regular purchase. Thanks.

• Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?

We all loved the banana flavour, me and my 5 year old loved the normal soreen too. The banana flavour tasted like banana bread, I was pleasantly suprised!

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Yes, my 2 year old had banana ones in her lunch box, they were easy to add into the box and there was none left when she came home!

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

Healthier than lots of other things that I could put in, like biscuits

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?

Yes at the right price I would as they were so easy to add into lunch

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

Yes!! Soreen is amazing and mini ones are perfect for the littlies in my house. Thank you for choosing us :) we loved them!!

• Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?

My son (2.5) and myself preferred the banana as they seemed more moist.

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Not a school lunch box but perfect to throw into a lunchbox for a day trip or a changing bag as an easily accessible snack for demanding toddlers!

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

Yes, much better than chocolate bars and less sugar versus some 'apparently healthy' cereal bars.

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?

Definitely. They are perfect little snacks for all ages.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

Yes, I know my mum would love these with a little bit of butter.

• Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves ? I've got 2 boys, one loves the original and the other now loves the banana flavour so that worked well!! I've tried before an not keen on the taste myself. Which flavour did they prefer? DS1 prefered original, DS2 preferred banana!
• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?* Yes as they were pre packaged they didn't need cut and wrapped so great o chuck into lunch boxes
• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks? Compared to flapjack or chocolate biscuit which might be added instead I think this is a good alternative and still a 'treat'
• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why? Yes I would buy again - depends on price though- so perhaps if on promotion or if I had vouchers.

-If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member? Yes I would recommend to others

Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?
Yes all family members liked them! DD's favourite were the banana ones, where as I preferred the original. Both varieties were moist and tasty.

Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?
yes. I usually include a small treat such as a chocolate biscuit or cake and these are a good alternative to those.

Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?
I think they fit well into a healthy balanced diet; healthier than chocolate, less healthy than fruit or cheese for example. But definitely healthier than cereal bars.

Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?
Yes definitely. I'd use them in packed lunches sometimes and they'd be great as a snack for DD to take to dance classes. They would be a good source of energy. Healthy, but not messy.

it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?
yes would. It can be hard sometimes to think of snacks that aren't too unhealthy and I think there is a place for these.

Was lucky enough to be picked for the product test. Have one fussy eater and one who gobbles up nearly enough everything you put in front of her.
Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?
We all tried them, I put the malt ones in their lunchbox first. The gobbler ate it all but the fussy one returned it half eaten as he didn't like the raisins. But he tried it which is fantastic as he's very reluctant to try new stuff. I think the packaging really appealed to him and it looked tasty enough. Next day I put the banana one in and both came home with empty wrappers.
I personally prefer the malt ones whilst both kids like the banana.

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

So easy to pop in their lunchbox. Love that they are individually wrapped. No mess or worrying about portion sizes.

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

It sure beats a packet of crisp or chocolate bar. So yes I think it's a healthier alternative.

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?

Definitely, as they're individually wrapped they're so easy to pop in the lunchbox or handbag for a snack.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member school packed lunch?

Yes I would.

Thank you for the chance to get to try these.
All 3 of my children & my partner really enjoyed them
My daughter (10) & partner really enjoyed the banana flavour but the rest of the family prefered the original.
I don't think it was so much the flavour as they all said it was really full of banana but the softness made it taste like squashed banana which they didn't like.
I loved how easy they were to incorporate into their lunchboxes.
Literally just out of the main packet & into their bag. Anything that easy to "make" in the madness of mornings is an absolute winner as far as I'm concerned!
Are they healthier than other snacks?.... If you mean the snacks that my children eat happily without complaint i.e crisp, biscuit or dunkers then yes absolutely!!
Because everyone enjoyed them & the fact I was giving them a treat I can feel less guilty about yes I would buy again.
The kids think there getting cake I know it's a healthier option I would recommend to friends & family members as a treat for their children's lunchboxes too

I love them.
I'm doing weight watchers so it's great the portion is controlled. Yummy as ever, not too high in points/calories and make a nice snack or part of a breakfast. Easy to grab running out the door. I prefer the malt loaf.

Slightly overpriced though, £1 per pack would be nice!

DS (4) said mummy it was very tasty and yummy in my belly. I want to eat it again. He liked both flavours equally.

They worked fine for a packed lunch. I think they are a healthier alternative due to the energy gained for the calories. I would buy them again, and yes I would recommend them.

Lunchbox loaves were just the right size to fit 5 year old Oz's lunchbox. He couldn't open the packet on his own so I opened the end for him before I packed it.
Me and 3 year old Izy loved the banana ones and ate them all in about a day. But Oz thought both flavours were fruity and great.
I would buy these again, but only if they cost £1.50 or less because my boys eat through things so fast they can't be expensive. I'd especially buy the banana ones.
I would recommend them to friends for their children as a slightly healthier treat than chocolate or biscuits.

• Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?

Yes. We all enjoyed them. DDs (5 and 3) both preferred the banana flavour, but would happily eat either flavour again.

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Yes. Very easy. It's great to have things to put in the lunchbox that you don't have to worry about getting crushed.

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

As a cake, yes it's healthier than other cakes, but it's something I'd only put in the lunchbox as an occasional treat. I usually pack a sandwich, yogurt, piece of fruit and cucumber sticks or a bit of cheese. The lunchbox loaves are probably less sugary than a lot of yogurts I suppose.

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?

Yes. They're a handy snack and would be great for after swimming or before sports.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

Yes. They're tasty and while they're not as healthy as an apple or a banana, they're very portable and much healthier than a chocolate bar or biscuits.

• Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Yes they were delicious. 3 yo loved the banana and 6 year old the original. I loved both.

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Yes they were.

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

Yes, less refined sugar and more fruit content.

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again?

Already have. The kids loved them and so did I.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

Yes, I have already, and gave some to my daughters' friends during play dates and their parents have bought them too.

My DS (8) loved them. His favourite flavour was the original flavour but would eat both again.

They have been really easy to incorporate into his packed lunch, they have replaced his normal chocolate or cereal bar. They were easy to open and filled him up.

I think they are healthier than his normal snack at lunch. Also when he's tried soreen previously he has always wanted butter on it but not with these bars.

I would definitely buy the bars again, they are far more convenient than the big loaf for lunches and healthier than most alternatives.

Yes I would recommend them to others if the conversation came up.

Thanks for the trial.

Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?

They both enjoyed the taste, and both (6 and 8) preferred the malt loaves. Interestingly, the eldest said the malt loaf would taste better buttered.

Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Mine take a packed tea once a week as they do an activity they go to directly from school after school club. They always get a treat item along side the rest of their packed tea, and I put the loaves in without telling them I was doing it. So, yes very easy to incorporate.

Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

Definitely, much prefer to offer them to chocolate or other sweet treats (e.g. mini Jaffa cakes)

Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?

Already have done! The 6 year old has asked if she can always have these as her snack after gymnastics and swimming, so she has done this week! She loves the characters on the pack and selects from the picture to choose which one.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

Definitely, and youngest has already offered these to her friends after gymnastics and swimming

Sadly, these weren't a big hit with my super fussy daughter but that says far more about her than the product! She seemed keener on the traditional fruity one than the banana but that may just have been because it was something new.

I think they're really handy for lunches as they're pre-packaged so not messy and easily bunged back in next day if returned uneaten so not wasted. Due to DDs reluctance to try them, they didn't get eaten when sent in her lunch box but that's because she's a funny bugger and needs to be encouraged to try new things. At home I managed to persuade her and she did seem to enjoy them once I'd got her to actually try it. I also took one in my own lunch box as they're a tasty little controlled portion snack for grown ups too. Also handy for on the run snacks after gymnastics etc when kids always seem to be ravenous as they won't get mushed into the bottom of your handbag as the packaging is sturdy.

I would definitely recommend them to others, despite DDs initial reluctance as I think they taste really nice, are healthy enough to get past the lunchbox police and it's great that they're individually wrapped and portioned saving waste and mess.

I probably will buy these again as with repeated exposure I think DD might really like them, and if she doesn't I'll just have to force them down myself which won't be too much of a hardship

Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?

Yes, me, my partner and 11 year old DD enjoyed them. Our younger DC (6 and 8) didn't, but they are very fussy. We all preferred banana. DD has requested the toffee ones to try.

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Very, great as a pudding instead of a cake or chocolate.

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

Depending on which snacks. Probably.

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?

Yes, no crumbs! Filling and nutritious.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

Yes. DP has recommended you somehow incorporate butter into them! I would say perhaps update the wrapper as it does tend to remind me of my grandma, who loves it.

• Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer? Both dc and I tried the Soreen lunchbox loaves. One dc liked both flavours equally but the other dc and me preferred the banana flavour.
• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch? They were really easy to pack in lunch boxes and there was no preparation - slicing and buttering needed. I'm pretty awful at slicing soreen as I often squash it. I didn't feel the lunchbox loaves needed any buttering as they were lovely without.
• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks? I think they're healthier than having a chocolate bar/biscuit and normal cakes. Both types contain fruit which is a bonus.
• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why? We'd definitely buy them, really tasty and convenient.
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member? Yes. I'd recommend the Soreen Lunchbox Loaves, I'm surprised I haven't seen them before so friends or family probably haven't either.

Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?
My 2 year old ds didn't like them. My 9 year old dd liked the banana ones

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Yes

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

No

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?

Maybe if they were a comparable price

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member? Yes

• Did your DC's (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of soreen lunchbox loaves? Which flavour did you prefer?

My dc's are 5 and 3 they both loved the taste of the loaves and they loved both flavours

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Yes as they are individually wrapped and it is a treat

• Do you think think that lunchbox loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

Yes they are better than cakes biscuits etc

• Would you buy soreen lunchbox loaves again? Why?

Yes i would buy again as they are a healthy treat and can take them everywhere with them being individually wrapped

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend soreen lunchbox loaves to a friend or a family member?

Yes definitely and we will be buying them again

Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?
My 4 year old loves bananas so enjoyed the banana flavoured ones and my toddler loved both flavours. In fact she devoured them which is unusual for her as she is very fussy. My partner loves soreen products anyway so he polished off a few! I am on a wheat free diet at the moment for health reasons but usually love these snacks.

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Unfortunately, my children's school does not allow for sugary treats but I have packed a few in my bag for when we are out and about. These are very convenient for an after school treat on the way home. Not every day though!

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

No. I wouldn't consider these as healthy snacks as they contain sugar. I would give them a an occasional treat.

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?

I would buy Soreen Lunchbox loaves again because the kids (and the other half!) love them. I like that it is in individual little packs as this makes it convenient to take out and about. Also there's no risk of it going dry as with the larger packs - you can eat them as and when.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

Yes I would if I knew they would like them - definitely.

My husband loves the banana soreen lunchbox loaves and has been taking them for his lunch. He is going to buy them as a fruity change from his jam covered Belvita breakfast biscuits. My 4 year old doesn't really like the banana ones, nor do I. I prefer real banana bread. When we toasted them and put butter on them, the banana ones were better than they are plain. They seemed to need something a little salty to cut through the gooey sweetness.
In a slightly ironic twist, the malt flavour lunchbox loaves are difficult to pack in lunches because my daughter sneaks into her snack bag and eats them before we have even gotten on our way to nursery! She says they are yummy. I had hoped she would eat them when she needed a snack on the go, but she gobbled them up already!
Our nursery doesn't allow packed lunches because of allergy concerns and sharing disputes with other children, but we have a long commute and I am always on the look out for healthy snacks to pack for our journeys. These fit the bill.
I still prefer soreen toasted with butter. If you slice the lunchbox loaf very carefully, you can pop it into the toaster and then switch it off at the wall to gently pry the sticky bits out of the toaster. I could use the grill but that takes too long.
My only concern is how much they stick to your teeth, so it can be better to eat soreen at home when you can help your kids brush their teeth.

Ps my DD age 4 thinks the malt ones are berry flavour. I bet if soreen came out with actual berry flavoured loaves she would devour them in an instant.
She loves bear snacks yo yos and Dino paws etc so other fruit flavoured snacks that have a bit more substance to them like soreen would be fantastic.

• Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves? Which flavour did they prefer?

I really liked them, 3 yo DS2 was also a big fan so long as they had butter on. 6 yo DS1 and 9yo DD both turned their noses up and refused to try them. I prefer the malt flavour, DS2 had no preference.

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

They would have been - they didn't actually go into a packed lunch in the end due to school-aged children refusing to eat them!

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

Yes - without adding butter. Im surprised how low calorie they are too.

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again? Why?

Yes, when DS2 needs a packed lunch. Otherwise I'll buy the big ones and slice them up myself.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

Definitely, half of us really enjoyed them

Why do these contain so much sugar and and E numbers Soreen? The ingredients list is horrifying these are no healthier than a normal chocolate bar and ive found because they are so sticky they stick to your teeth like glue and will cause tooth decay if a child eats them for lunch and doesn't brush their teeth till evening !! All you've done is change the names of the ingredients to less sinister sounding ones but its the same old rubbish that's in all snacks. Not impressed at all

• Did your DCs (and you if you tried them) enjoy the taste of Soreen Lunchbox Loaves?

My 10 year old dd, dh and myself all really enjoyed the lunchbox loaves. D's (8) didn't like the look of them so wouldn't try (despite his sister's exhortations), but he is incredibly fussy....

Which flavour did they prefer?
Both nice, but we all preferred banana l.

• Were they easy to incorporate into a school packed lunch?

Yes! Perfect size for a treat. (Kids always have a sandwich, fruit juice, fruit, dairy and treat)

• Do you think that Lunchbox Loaves are a healthier alternative to other snacks?

Yes.

• Would you buy Soreen Lunchbox Loaves again?

Have done already

Why?
Dd requested them. Also, I am doing Slimming World and a banana lunchbox loaf is only 4.5 syns.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Soreen Lunchbox Loaves to a friend or family member?

Have already done so, and posted a pic on my Slimming World support Facebook group.