Jim Jams 83% Less Sugar Hazelnut Chocolate Spread

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Jim jams hazelnut chocolate spread

I've been eating a lot of chocolate spread recently, which is unusual for me, but I guess I got sucked in by the craze started with the newly launched Cadbury Caramel & Crunchie Chocolate Spreads. After posting about the Cadbury spreads I was contacted by Jim Jams, a company producing spreads with no added sugars, and was asked if I'd like to review their No Added Sugar Chocolate Hazelnut Spread. I'm notoriously moaning about quitting or reducing sugar, so I couldn't refuse to give it a try!

Rather than sugar this is instead sweetened with maltitol, which is a type of sugar alcohol that can have "unintended effects" if consumed in excess (and those who've tried it know what I mean!) This may be a blessing in disguise, as it's a further reason not to over-indulge. As well as maltitol, the spread contains 13% hazelnuts, cocoa, milk powder, whey powder and a mixture of palm and rapeseed oil. It's gluten free and contains 494 calories per 100g.

Jim jams hazelnut chocolate spread

Opening the lid, it had a kind of swirly appearance with what looked like small chocoloate nibs in it.

Jim jams hazelnut chocolate spread


I'm not sure what they are exactly, I thought maybe hazelnut bits, but they didn't taste any more hazelnutty than the actual spread.

Jim jams hazelnut chocolate spread

This is a very tasty spread indeed, but very different from your regular chocolate spread. The sweetness is of course milder which means the flavours of cocoa and hazelnut can shine through a bit more, and the texture is a bit different from the likes of Nutella, it's firmer. I really enjoyed it, it's smooth and nutty and not throat-burningly sweet. However this meant that it was a little too easy to overdo it and eat more than a few spoonfulls...oops! I did indeed suffer the consequences from that!

Overall, is this better than Nutella? To be honest no, nothing will ever beat Nutella in terms of pure yumminess, but for something that's healthier and makes you feel virtuous while eating it this is a great option. It's rare to find a sugar free chocolate spread, so kudos to Jim Jams for catering for this increasing dietary need...I hope to see more flavours and varieties in the future!

8 out of 10. 


Comments

  1. WeezyBeans7 June 2016 at 01:57

    You're 100% right, Nutella is the reigning champion but seeing a reduced sugar alternative is really encouraging! And gluten free to boot, even better!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nutrition Skeptic7 June 2016 at 05:14

    products like this irritate me so much, they fool people into thinking they're healthier as they had "no added sugar" but instead ram it with subsatnces your body can't process. You don't even get that fewer calories, per 100g of proper nutella is 546 cals so you're saving 52 cals per 100... if you think about this in regard to the serving size its probably saving you around 5 calories....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Plant Based Running Guy7 June 2016 at 11:31

      The best Nutella equivalent I've found is the Meridian hazelnut spread - no sugar, no salt, no artificial things and no palm oil - 100% pure hazelnuts. Mix it with raw cacao, spread it on whatever and top with sliced banana - heaven! You can also sweeten it if you want or even stir in melted chocolate

      Delete
    2. Gráinne24 September 2017 at 09:41

      @alex Glover Completely agree! No real gain when cals essentially same and you end up doubled over with the GI side effects

      Delete
  3. Nibs7 June 2016 at 12:29

    Crikey unintended effects! Living on the edge there Kevvie with you're spoonfuls!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevs Snack Reviews7 June 2016 at 12:57

      Haha i would be safer sticking to the sugar!

      Delete
    2. Unknown8 June 2016 at 14:19

      Gluten free, wheat free, nut free, dairy free, sugar free, fun free.. Butty the sole Moo cow eating extraordinaire! PRAISE THE BEUFF. xx

      Delete
    3. Kevs Snack Reviews13 June 2016 at 05:28

      What on earth are you on about love xx

      Delete
    4. Unknown13 June 2016 at 05:41

      I have no idea but I'm sure it made sense at the time hahaha. xx

      Delete
  4. Unknown11 June 2016 at 18:32

    Where did you get it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevs Snack Reviews13 June 2016 at 05:27

      I was sent it to review, but you can buy it on Ocado.

      Delete

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