TFG Trusted: Naturebox Review

So, last Monday (5/20) I FINALLY got my first Naturebox after waiting more than a month because my address duplicated itself on the address line – not sure why their system didn’t register an error but their customer service was GREAT and got it straightened out right away! They even pushed back the next delivery date a month so I wouldn’t get charged again before I had a chance to test it out. And the best part of the ordering experience? Calling customer service and listening to the amusing pre-recorded message.

And without further ado, here is my Naturebox Review!

So anyway, your first box is always a grab-bag of five random items they select for you. And by random I really mean that they have a specific promo box that they use for newbies. Mine was “picnic” theme. It did not disappoint! (Click Here to go directly to 411 on Naturebox!).

This box included:

• BBQ Kettle Kernels
• Guacamole Bits
• Salsa Spiced Nut Mix
• Cherry Ganache Granola
• Peanut Butter Nom Noms

Each package contains about 4-5 servings, so you get up to 25 servings of tasty, healthy snacks delivered to your door! I taste-tested a little bit of each (maybe a little bit too much of the Salsa Spiced Nut Mix – I’ll have to hurry up and portion everything out into snack baggies) and everything was delicious!

The BBQ Kettle Kernels were good. They could maybe use a bit more seasoning, but the crunch was satisfying so they meet that savory/crunching craving I get.

The Guacamole Bites are bit higher in carbs than I’d like, but overall they will make a satisfying snack when I am craving something crunchy and carb-y during the afternoon drag. The flavor isn’t totally overpowering (though it’s a bit stronger than say, a dorito?) and is pleasantly lime-ish. I was actually able to take my time and really enjoy these due to the flavor (savor the flavor!).

The Salsa Spiced Nut Mix was right on the money. With almonds and cashews (two of my favorite nuts!) and little masa pieces, it was like eating a yummy pub mix without all the extra sodium and guilt! And for those of you who are worried about “spiciness”, the spice part of the title refers to the seasoning – they weren’t “hot” spicy – so snack on!

The Cherry Ganache Granola was a crunchy treat. Lightly sweet, it tastes of chocolate covered cherries – which I LOVE. My Naturebox came with the suggestion to make a “s’mores” with it, by mixing some Greek yogurt and honey, topping with the Cherry Ganache Granola, and putting it between graham cracker pieces. It seems that unless the yogurt was made a bit solid in the freezer or spread quite thin, this would quickly devolve into a very messy treat, so I would suggest perhaps mixing the Ganache in with the yogurt and scooping as a dip with some graham crackers instead. I’ll let you know if/when I try it out. In the meantime, I will be enjoying this in my regular morning Greek yogurt!

The Peanut Butter Nom Noms were oaty, peanut buttery and nutty. They were really quite tasty! The only downside is that they are rather small for my liking. Size-wise, they are about the size of a cutie (clementine), which makes eating them in less a a couple bites challenging. I personally need to be able to take several bites of something to feel satisfied (must be a mental thing!). So, while these were good, I might not get them again. It takes far too much concentration and focus to really slow down and enjoy them.

What You Need To Know
About Nature Box

• There are different of subscription options based on the number of people or snacks, the cheapest being the one I have reviewed, the Naturebox Deluxe Package. So there’s something for everyone!
  • This package contains 5 full size snacks, with each containing about 5 servings (serving sizes vary from 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup or one piece, depending on the snack).
  • This package costs $19.95 a month, which works out to about $0.80 to $0.99 per serving – as cheap as or cheaper than a snack-sized bag of salty, fattening, vending machine snacks. It’s also very cost-competitive with similar sized packages of snack mixes and nuts from the grocery store and/or places like Trader Joe’s, Sprouts and Whole Foods. A similar-sized bag to a Naturebox bag might run you $6-$8 each.
  • You can cancel anytime. Don’t like your first Naturebox and aren’t interested in making your own snack choices to try another box? Simply cancel before your next shipment.
• Naturebox’s snacks are “minimally processed” and DO NOT include any of the following:
  • high fructose corn syrup,
  • partially hydrogenated oils,
  • trans fats,
  • artificial sweeteners,
  • artificial flavors,
  • and artificial colors.
  • A bonus, not listed on their site, is that they seem to avoid GMOs as well, as my BBQ Kettle Kernels specified in their ingredients that the corn was non-GMO. I’m not sure if this is true of everything, but they clearly have an awareness that this is something health-conscious consumers want to know and avoid.
• The range of snacks available also offer options that are vegan friendly, soy free, low in sodium and dairy free – making it easy for people with dietary restrictions to create their own perfect snack box.
• Every item you can choose from tells you up front what the ingredients are, provides the nutrition facts, and indicates if it meets one of the previously mentioned restrictions, so you can nail your perfect snack box right out of the gate.
• After your first box, you can pick your own snacks from their HUGE selection in the following categories: Dried Fruit & Bars, Granola, Nuts & Seeds, Savory Snacks, and Trail and Nut Mixes. So you can see there is a range of flavors and textures for every kind of snacker.

So, in case you couldn’t tell, Naturebox is TFG Trusted! So what are you waiting for? You can get your first box at $10 off by clicking the link in the tweet below :

Try @naturebox! it’s #delicous fbuy.me/ckUx @naturebox

— Jess D. (@thisfitgirljess) May 30, 2013

Disclaimer – by clicking above, you get a $10 discount and I earn a $10 discount for sharing – as would any Naturebox subscriber who shares their own link. However, please know that I was NOT paid for this review, NOR did I receive anything for free. I got my first box discounted like anyone else and simply LOVED the product and will continue to try new snacks! Next on my list? Cherry Berry Granola, Cinnamon Spiced Granola, Lone Star Snack Mix, Whole Wheat Blueberry Figgy Bars and more of that DE-LI-CIOUS Salsa Spiced Nut Mix!