Why choose Natur sticks?

• 86% wholegrains (oats + spelt) with spelt sourdough for a fuller flavour
• No palm oil and no hydrogenated fats
• Just 1.4 g sugars per pack (45 g)
• Himalayan salt (1.1%) with a gentle touch of turmeric (0.3%)
• 100% vegan

The brand behind Natur

NATUR BG is a Bulgarian family business from Kazanlak. They have been working in health-focused foods since 1998, and in 2008 the company was formally registered. Natur manufactures and exports organic wholegrain snacks with vegan certification, supplying markets across three continents.

The brand follows a clean label approach — a widely used term for products with a short, easy-to-understand ingredient list, without unnecessary technological additives. In these sticks, that means a simple base recipe where the main roles are played by wholegrains from organic agriculture, sourdough, coconut oil and Himalayan salt.

Ingredients

• Wholemeal oat flour* 55%
• Wholemeal spelt flour* 31.4%
• Non-hydrogenated coconut oil* 6.5%
• Spelt sourdough* (spelt flour, water) 2.2%
• Himalayan salt 1.1%
• Turmeric 0.3%

* ingredients from organic agriculture

Nutritional values

How do they differ from standard supermarket savoury sticks?

• Recipe base: Organic wholegrain oats and spelt + sourdough. Standard sticks are typically based on refined wheat flour and are usually made without sourdough fermentation.
• Ingredients: a short, comprehensive list of organic ingredients with no palm oil; conventional sticks more often include added fats and processing aids.
• Flavour & texture: fuller thanks to wholegrains, with balanced saltiness (around 0.5 g salt per pack) and crispness supported by coconut oil (not dominant in flavour). Plus 2.3 g fibre and 5.1 g protein per pack.
• Salt: Himalayan salt rather than standard refined salt.

For illustration, we include an example ingredient list and values from a conventional Czech savoury sticks product (Bohemia). The aim is to show how the products differ — not to judge. Values may vary by specific variant and should always be checked on the packaging.

Ingredients – example of conventional savoury sticks

• Wheat flour
• Salt (5.5%)
• Palm oil
• Acidity regulator: E524 (sodium hydroxide)
• Wheat malt flour
• Emulsifier: E471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids)

Nutritional comparison (per 100 g)

What does this mean?

• Salt content: Natur lists 1.1 g salt per 100 g, while the conventional example lists 5.4 g per 100 g — more than four times higher. Lower salt typically means a less aggressive saltiness and a lower sodium intake per portion.
• Fibre and flour type: Natur provides 5.1 g fibre per 100 g thanks to wholegrain flour. The conventional example lists 0 g fibre because it is made from refined wheat flour where the bran has been removed.
• Sugars: The conventional example lists 1.1 g sugars per 100 g, while Natur lists 3.1 g per 100 g. Both are relatively low; the difference comes from grain processing, not added sweeteners.
• Fat and energy: Energy and fat are comparable. The difference is mainly in fat source and the overall ingredient choices.

FAQs

What are E524 and E471, and why do they appear in some savoury sticks?

E524 (sodium hydroxide) is an acidity regulator. In baking, it is used mainly for pretzel-style products to treat the dough surface, creating a characteristic colour and firmer crust. It is not an essential ingredient.

E471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) are emulsifiers. They help combine ingredients that do not naturally mix well (for example fat and water), stabilising the dough and improving consistency. They can be made from vegetable or animal fats and are mainly used to keep texture uniform across batches and help maintain quality during storage. Again, they are not essential ingredients — simply processing aids used in some recipes and not others.

These processing aids are not mandatory. They are mainly used in large-scale production to reduce manufacturing costs, ensure consistent structure, extend shelf life and standardise quality across production batches.

Why is palm oil used in conventional sticks?

Palm oil is commonly used in food manufacturing because it is stable, neutral in flavour and inexpensive. It comes mostly from Southeast Asia (Indonesia and Malaysia), where production is widespread.

Its low cost is linked to the high yield of oil palm per hectare. At the same time, palm oil has long been the subject of environmental debate, particularly around cultivation methods and impacts on tropical ecosystems.

Natur uses non-hydrogenated coconut oil instead. Both are plant-based fats; the difference lies in the manufacturer’s preference and the nature of the recipe.

Why does 1.4 g sugars per pack matter?

Many snacks can contain far more added sugars or hidden sweeteners. Here, sugars are 1.4 g per 45 g pack, a naturally low amount coming from the grains. In practice, it means a savoury snack without a large sugar hit.

What does 2.3 g fibre per pack mean?

The fibre comes from wholegrain oats and spelt. Wholegrain flours naturally contain more fibre than white flour because they include the whole grain. With more fibre, digestion tends to be slower and energy release steadier than with refined-flour products.

What does 5.1 g protein per pack mean?

Protein is naturally present in the grains. Together with fibre, it can help you feel fuller for longer. It is not only a crunchy snack — it also provides nutrients your body can actually use.

Is 0.5 g salt per pack a lot?

Salt content is 1.1 g per 100 g, which equals roughly 0.5 g per 45 g pack. For comparison, conventional savoury sticks often sit around 2–3.5 g salt per 100 g (with Bohemia listing 5.4 g per 100 g). Natur sticks are therefore not heavily salted, and the salt does not overpower the grain flavour or the turmeric.

Why does wholegrain matter?

Wholegrain flours contain the entire grain — bran, germ and endosperm. Compared with refined white flour, they naturally provide more fibre and more of what is present in the grain itself. That is the key difference versus conventional sticks made from refined wheat flour.

What does spelt sourdough add?

Spelt sourdough is a traditional fermentation method. With longer maturation, some components of the dough naturally change, which may be easier to digest than rapidly leavened baked goods. Fermentation also supports fuller flavour without extra processing aids.

Can you taste the coconut oil?

No. Non-hydrogenated coconut oil (6.5%) is used mainly for structure: it helps create crispness and stable crunch without relying on hydrogenated fats. Coconut oil is also heat-stable when baked and, at this level, it does not taste sweet or coconutty — it simply supports the texture.

How are Natur sticks different from standard sticks?

The main difference is the recipe. Natur sticks contain wholegrain oats and spelt, spelt sourdough and non-hydrogenated coconut oil. Standard sticks are typically based on refined wheat flour and may include palm oil or processing additives. If you want cleaner ingredients and wholegrain foods, the difference sits here.

Are Natur sticks suitable if you are watching your weight?

One pack (45 g) contains approximately 176 kcal, which is in line with a small snack. Thanks to wholegrains, 2.3 g fibre and 5.1 g protein, they tend to be more filling than refined-flour snacks. However, weight is always influenced by overall diet and portion size, not one single food.

Do they contain gluten?

Yes. They contain oats and spelt and therefore gluten. Not suitable for people with coeliac disease.