Between the classic chocolate-hazelnut giant and the new “healthy” jars, choosing what to put on your toast has become strangely complicated. The French app Yuka, which rates products based on nutrition and additives, has quietly shaken up the spread aisle by highlighting options that are a little kinder to both our bodies and the planet.
The rise of “cleaner” chocolate spreads
Chocolate spreads used to be simple: a short list of big brands, a lot of sugar, a lot of fat, and not many questions asked. Now, shoppers compare labels in the aisle, snap barcodes into apps and look for short ingredient lists and reassuring logos.
Yuka has given top scores to a handful of spreads that try to rebalance the equation: less ultra-processing, less palm oil, more nuts, more fibre, sometimes even legumes. They are still treats, but less loaded with controversial ingredients.
These five spreads all score between 78/100 and 100/100 on Yuka, showing that you can keep the pleasure while cutting some of the nutritional baggage.
Et Toc: the straight‑A student of spreads
Coming from northern France, Et Toc is the one that grabbed Yuka’s highest mark: 100/100. On paper, it ticks a lot of boxes that health-conscious snackers look for.
- Organic
- 8.7 g of protein per 100 g
- 8.2 g of fibre per 100 g
- No palm oil, no additives
- Strong roasted hazelnut and organic cocoa taste
The generous fibre content helps support digestion and can slow the absorption of fats. The relatively high protein content makes it slightly more satiating than a classic spread based mostly on sugar and cheap oils.
There is a catch: sugar still sits at around 35 g per 100 g, which keeps it firmly in the treat category. The brand positions itself as a compromise—clean ingredients, better nut profile, but not a low-sugar product. The jar is sold at roughly €3.85 for 220 g, which places it in the mid-range of the “better-for-you” segment.
Et Toc offers a more “honest” jar: real nuts, real cocoa, but still a dessert, not a breakfast staple.
Nutripure: creamy texture, zero added oil
Nutripure has earned a 94/100 rating on Yuka, largely thanks to a formula that reads like a nutritionist’s experiment: organic ingredients, no added oil, and a base of red kidney beans.
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The beans give the spread an airy, mousse-like texture, quite different from the dense, oily mouthfeel of classic products. The flavour profile leans towards hazelnut and vanilla, which masks the legume base surprisingly well.
Key points for Nutripure:
| Feature | What it brings |
|---|---|
| No added oil | Lower total fat, especially saturated fat |
| Red beans | Extra fibre, more plant protein, creamy texture |
| Organic and made in France | Appeals to eco-conscious shoppers |
This spread is free from sweeteners and stays low in saturated fat. The trade-off is the price: around €5.99 for a 220 g pot, making it a more premium purchase aimed at people ready to pay for “functional” indulgence.
Funky Veggie: back‑to‑basics ingredients
Funky Veggie leans fully into the “natural” narrative and holds a 79/100 rating on Yuka. It is 100% plant-based, gluten-free, lactose-free and, again, free from added oils.
The core recipe is simple and recognisable: roasted hazelnuts, unrefined beet sugar, cocoa, and red beans to create a smooth texture. No milk powder, no palm oil, no artificial flavourings.
This is the sort of jar that reassures parents reading labels while still looking fun and indulgent enough for children.
Produced in France, Funky Veggie positions itself as a cheerful “feel-good” spread. The price is slightly more accessible than some competitors, at around €3.99 for 200 g, which could help it move from niche to everyday product in some households.
Baouw: the sports‑focused protein jar
Baouw, also rated 79/100 on Yuka, clearly targets athletes and people seeking functional snacks. The numbers are striking: around 18% plant protein and 70% nuts (a mix of hazelnuts and cashews).
Carbohydrates are kept relatively low at about 25 g per 100 g. With no gluten and no lactose, it is designed to be easy on digestion, even during training periods when some people react badly to heavy, sugary foods.
The concept is simple: a spread that behaves more like an energy bar you can spoon. It can be used on toast, in porridge, or as a dip for fruit before a long run or ride. The cost is steep though—around €7.50 for a 200 g jar, placing it in the sports nutrition segment rather than the family breakfast shelf.
Dukanella: lighter on sugar and calories
Dukanella is marketed as the “line-friendly” option in this selection. It carries a Nutri-Score A and sits at 78/100 on Yuka, thanks to a recipe with no added sugar and no palm oil, plus a high fibre content.
With around 404 kcal per 100 g, it lands below many traditional spreads, which can easily exceed 550–600 kcal per 100 g. Its low glycaemic index makes it attractive for people monitoring blood sugar or cholesterol, including some with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, although medical advice should always come first.
Dukanella offers a way to keep the chocolate-hazelnut ritual while softening the impact on blood sugar and total calories.
Expect to pay around €5.28 for 220 g, putting it in the same price orbit as other “light” or “diet” products.
How to choose a better spread in any supermarket
Not every shop stocks these specific brands. Still, the criteria that pushed them up Yuka’s rankings can guide everyday choices.
- Avoid palm oil when possible, both to cut down saturated fat and to reduce environmental pressure.
- Aim for under 30 g of sugar per 100 g; above that, you are essentially eating a dessert cream.
- Look for short ingredient lists: nuts, cocoa, sugar, possibly milk or plant drink, and not much else.
- Check labels like organic, vegan or “made in” details, which can signal sourcing and production transparency.
Apps such as Yuka or Nutri-Score labels do not replace medical advice, but they can help sort shelves quickly when time is short.
Understanding the labels: sugar, fibre and Nutri‑Score
Three figures matter a lot for spreads: sugar, fibre and overall Nutri-Score. Sugar adds taste and texture but raises the risk of weight gain and dental problems. A jar with 50–60 g of sugar per 100 g sits close to the composition of confectionery.
Fibre, in contrast, slows digestion and can reduce blood sugar spikes after a snack. Spreads built around nuts and legumes naturally bring more fibre. That is one reason why Yuka and other systems tend to rate them more kindly.
Nutri-Score, often shown from A (dark green) to E (red), summarises the nutritional profile. A or B does not mean a product should be eaten in unlimited quantities, but it does indicate a better balance between positive (protein, fibre, nuts) and negative (sugar, salt, saturated fat) elements.
Practical ways to use these spreads without overdoing it
Even the “healthier” jars are calorie-dense. A good trick is to think of them as flavour boosters rather than the main component of the meal.
For example:
- Spread a thin layer on wholegrain bread instead of a thick slab on white toast.
- Add a teaspoon to natural yoghurt with chopped fruit instead of eating it straight from the spoon.
- Use a tablespoon in homemade granola bars to bind oats and nuts, rather than relying on syrups alone.
For people who exercise, a small portion of a nut-rich spread before a long session can provide slow-release energy. Paired with a banana or a slice of rye bread, it becomes a balanced snack with carbohydrates, fats and some protein.
Families can also turn label reading into a simple activity with children. Comparing sugar levels between two jars or counting the number of ingredients can gradually teach kids that treats are not forbidden, but that choices matter. That way, the comfort of a chocolatey slice of toast can keep its place—just with a bit more thought behind each swipe of the knife.
