TORONTO – Subscription snack boxes are the latest online food craze that have businesses big and small betting on people looking for healthier snack options. But with so many options now shipping to Canada, how do you know which one will suit your snack needs?
READ MORE: The skinny on subscription snack boxes: The latest movement in healthy eating
Below we explore how four subscription snack boxes compare – from the variety of snacks, to the price per month.
NatureBox
Subscription type: Monthly
A regular subscription gets you five full sized snack bags. You can upgrade to the “Happy” subscription to get 10 full sized snack bags, or choose the “Smart” subscription for 20 full sized snack bags per month.
Price per month: Monthly subscriptions cost US$19.95 per month, but you can save by choosing to prepay for three or six months.
Prepaying for three months works out to US$17.95 per month (US$53.85 will be charged every three months). Prepaying for six months works out to US$16.95 per month (US$101.70 will be charged every six months)
Shipping Cost: US$4.95 for shipments to Canada
Snack Variety: Over 100 choices, including fruit and nut bars, dried fruit and fruit chews, chips, pretzels, nut and seed mixes, granola and baked goods.
You can customize your snack selection every month, if you choose to.
Dietary restrictions: NatureBox offers gluten free and vegan options for those with dietary restrictions.
Naked Snacks
Subscription type: Monthly
The company also plans to roll out a one-time single order model soon, for those who don’t want to sign-up for a reoccurring monthly subscription.
Price per month: Monthly subscriptions cost $27.95 per month, but you can save by choosing to prepay for three or six months.
Prepaying for three months works out to $25.95 per month. Prepaying for six months works out to $23.95 per month.
Shipping Cost: Free
Snack Variety: Currently, Naked Snacks has just under 30 snacks in their inventory, including dried fruits, seed and nut mixes and salty favourites like popcorn and pretzels.
You can choose one of three box options – a low calorie edition called “Lite Snacker,” a “Chef’s Choice” selection, or the “High Energy” box, designed for those who might be more active. But you aren’t able to customize your snack selections.
Dietary restrictions: Naked Snacks offers gluten free and vegan options for those with dietary restrictions.
UrthBox
Subscription type: Monthly
A “mini” subscription includes six products and a “small” subscription will include 12 products. You can also choose from “medium” boxes, which include around 17 products per month, and “large” boxes, which include over 20 products for groups of snackers.
Price per month: Mini boxes cost US$8.99 per month and small boxes cost US$16.99 per month.
A medium box will cost you US$26.99 per month, or US$26.99 for a large box.
Shipping Cost: US$6 per shipment for Canadians.
Snack Variety: UrthBox’s inventory changes all the time, but you can expect snacks ranging from dried meats, snack bars and crackers, to dried fruits, cookies, chocolates and sweets. Unlike others, UrthBox also features things like juice cleanses and beverages.
But UrthBox also throws in a few extra goodies with their boxes every month – expect to see samples of supplements, personal hygiene, skin care and hair products thrown in.
However, you can’t customize your snack selection.
Dietary restrictions: UrthBox offers gluten free and vegan options for those with dietary restrictions.
Munch Better
Subscription type: Monthly
Every month you will receive five to eight snacks in your box. You can see some examples of what types of products to expect on the Munch Better blog.
Price per month: Monthly subscriptions cost $28 per month, but you can save by choosing to prepay for three or six months.
A three-month subscription will cost $79. Prepaying for six months works out to $149.
Shipping Cost: Free – however, the website notes additional delivery charges will apply if your shipping address is in “select remote locations.”
Snack Variety: Munch Better stocks a variety of snacks, including things like kale chips, savory bars and nut and seed varieties. But the service also prides itself on introducing subscribers to new and adventurous products like teas, coconut water and things like “green magic chia squeeze,” which is similar to a pudding.
You can’t customize your snack selection yet – however, the company may roll out the option in the future.
Dietary restrictions: Munch Better offers gluten free and vegan options for those with dietary restrictions.
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