Optimal Protein Diet: Toasted Coconut

Yawn. Another protein bar that looks like its capitalizing off low-carb trends. However, Optimal Protein Diet’s Toasted Coconut bar claims to be naturally flavored and (fortunately) without a whisper of peanut butter or chocolate in sight. At 180 calories with 20 g of protein and 21 g of sugar alcohols only – resulting in only 1 g of net carbs – this bar is a good pick for gym rats or those looking forward to an indulgent pasta dinner. To say the coconut flavor is strong is an understatement, but it does mask the vitamin-like aftertaste that many protein-heavy bars feature, and this may make it appealing to some.  In a refreshingly pale package, this Optimal Protein Diet bar has a soft and pleasant texture, but won’t be standing out from its competition any time soon.

3 out of 5 stars

Pure Bar: Cranberry Orange

Pure Bar’s Cranberry Orange flavor is one of 6 flavors in its line-up of organic, gluten free flavors. This is one of the best in the group. The citrus nature of this bar makes the sour notes that come with fruit bars totally acceptable. The bar is extremely fragrant and the orange is very strong. The bar uses orange zest and organic orange flavor to hit the strong citrus notes it hits. The cranberry flavor get’s a little drowned out in the orange, but as a whole it really works. To us, this bar tastes like nut-bread you might get around the holidays. It is nutritionally sound at 190 Kcal, 3g fiber and 6g of protein. The label is attractive. There is really nothing about this bar that isn’t top notch.

5 out of 5 stars

Everlast: Peanut Butter Crunch

Everlast’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch is a pint size bar at .95 ounces which, despite its size, manages to deliver awesome flavor and 8g of protein. At 110 calories, it is smaller both in size and calories, than most diet bars. The flavor is a very tasty chocolate peanut butter. It doesn’t have the typical super-chewy layer that you find it most bars. This bar is light and crumbly almost. It is very easy to eat. For the packaging, Everlast has chosen a bright blue background.  Blue like that looks better on cleaning products. For this product to really sell, we think they should put it in a bigger size (say 1.75 oz) and make it look more like a protein bar. For the flavor, don’t change a thing. The bar itself is awesome.

3.5 out 5 stars

Betty Lou’s: Almond Butter High Protein Ball

Maybe we need to expand our website name to balls and bars are food. This ball is about the size of a golf ball and is rolled in almonds bits. Though it looks smaller than a bar, it is no less substantial. It has 210 calories and 12g of protein! The ball is basically a mix of almond butter, fruit juice/dextrins, brown rice syrup, and whey protein. Despite all the nutty ingredients, it only has 9g of fat. All things considered, we sort of love the idea of a ball. The packaging used is about half the size despite the fact that you are getting 1.75 oz of food. Of course, these balls might not display quite as neatly as bars do on the store shelf. Form issues aside, the flavor is good. It was surprisingly savory, and we could have used a little bit more sweetness. But really, overall, this product is excellent nutritionally and very clever.

4 out of 5 stars

CLIF: Builder’s Lemon

Lemon is one of 6 flavors in the CLIF’s Builder’s line. Billed as “the entirely natural protein bar” the bar packs 20g of protein. This enables the bar to compete squarely against some of the muscle-building protein bars out there, but where it leaves quite a bit of that competition behind is in taste. The bar is a pleasant departure from the super-dense protein bricks that largely typify the protein bar category. Yes, this bar has a super-dense layer to it, but it also has a nice layer of layer of light, crunchy stuff which appears to be the “soy rice crisps” listed in its ingredients. These two layers, the dense protein and the crunchy stuff, are coated in a lemon frosting. The bar is highly supplemented with vitamins and minerals, though this does not impact the flavor adversely. Our only complaint is that the bar has only 1g of fiber and 270 calories. Not for dieters, but then again, it is not a diet bar. If you are after a tasty, convenient way to get your protein, then this bar is a safe bet.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Kelp Krunch: Original Sesame

For a bar that only has 4 ingredients (two of which are listed in its name),  Kelp Crunch Seaweed Energy Bar Original Sesame delivers a surprising range of flavor notes as you make your way through each bite. Molasses, hoisin sauce, and raisin are some of the notes we got. Yet, the bar only contains sesame seeds, brown rice syrup and kelp! The flavor is unusual but it doesn’t take long to begin to enjoy it. In fact, it becomes strangely addictive. Each 1 oz bar contains 124 kcal (70 of which are from fat), 3g of fiber and 3g of protein. It is not very substantial by any measure. A recent scientific study found that a component of Kelp called algenate does a better job at preventing fat absorption than most over-the-counter supplements. So maybe it doesn’t deliver 70 fat calories after all.

So what is Kelp? If you have ever been to the Monterey Aquarium, or if you have seen underwater footage of the kelp forests of the West Coast, you know that Kelp is the magnificent brown algae seaweed that grows from the ocean floor up to the surface.

The packaging and branding of this bar is where things get a little strange. The front panel of this bar features a Humpback whale breaching with a not-to-scale piece of kelp in its mouth. Any self-respecting whale lover knows that humpbacks do not eat kelp. So what’s the deal? The back panel explains that the manufacturer, Maine Coast Sea Vegetables, donates proceeds from bar’s sales to Allied Whale, a whale research, conservation and educational organization. So we’re not going to get on their case for misrepresenting Humpbacks as frolicking herbivores. While not whale food, kelp is in fact quite nutritious, and is eaten commonly in Japan and Korea, rather ironic in the context of this review given that whale meat is also consumed in Japan.

In summary, this is definitely an oddball product. The manufacturer really should find space to explain the nutritional benefits of kelp on the packaging. Most people don’t purchase products purely on the basis of charitable affiliations alone. However strange this product may be, we did really enjoy it and it nearly goes without saying, we’re totally in support of Allied Whale and frolicking Humpbacks worldwide.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Clif Bar: Black Cherry Almond

Clif’s Black Cherry Almond is part of its energy bar line-up. It’s a substantial 2.4 oz and 250 calories. The product has a whopping 10g of protein and a respectable  5g of fiber. The bar is organic rice syrup mixed with soy, oats, almonds, cranberries and cherries. The mix is moist but crunchy. Almond flavor really comes through, although we didn’t taste much cherry. It should be noted that this bar also manages to hold a large mix of supplemented vitamins and minerals without it adversely affecting the flavor. The label indicates that Clif is part of 1% for the Planet, which means that Clif donates 1% of revenues to green charities (note: this is total revenue, not just profits).  This means Clif is a company that puts their money where their mouth is. We love this product and we admire Clif.

5 out of 5 stars

Kelp Crunch – Sesame Ginger

Despite the somewhat unappealing Kelp Crunch name and “seaweed energy bar” tag line, their Sesame Ginger bar is rather enjoyable.  Made with sesame seeds, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, kelp, ginger, cayenne, and vanilla, the bar has a distinct flavor that you won’t find in other bars.  The base, which is almost entirely sesame seeds, is crisp and crunchy, while the added ginger and cayenne give the product some heat to its finish.  In the middle of all of this, there’s a light amount of sweetness and the kelp, which give the product a slightly Asian inspired taste.  Nutritionally, the bar has 124 calories, 8g of fat, 3g of fiber, 3g of protein, calcium, iron, and small amounts of Vitamin A and C.   Based on the 1 oz size and the nutritional content, this bar is definitely the right portion for a snack.  Packaging is a simple foil wrapper that has been decorated with an illustrated image of a whale jumping out of the water.  While it certainly has a vibe of authenticity to it, it’s not an image that’s overly appetizing in our opinion.    However, we do like the placement of the “100% organic gluten-free vegan” badge, which will certainly help with their target consumer.  Lastly, they are donating a portion of the proceeds to Allied Whale – that’s something that might be worth more prominent billing.  Overall, a nice tasting product, but the current look of the label isn’t going to help sell bars.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Gatorade G Series Pro: 01 Prime Pre-Game Fuel Nutrition Bar: Chocolate Chip

Part of Gatorade’s new “G Series Pro” line, this bar is designed to be “pre-game fuel”, thanks to it being fortified with protein (10g) and carbohydrates (39g).   From a flavor perspective, the bar is quite is enjoyable, having a chocolaty base of rolled oats and crisped rice.  There’s also an occasional chocolate chip for good measure, creating something that has just a touch of indulgence.  Aside from the protein and carbohydrates, the bar actually has a fair amount of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, iron, B vitamins and more.  The bar’s wrapper mostly uses black, white, and grey, but the familiar orange lightning bolt and G logo should help catch the consumer’s eye.  To that extent, we think that this product will have instant credibility in the marketplace.  Otherwise, they’ve presented a pretty technical looking design that goes with the “G Series Pro” name.  Overall, we think that Gatorade has done a nice job of marrying flavor, function, and the power of its brand into a bar offering that definitely has potential.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Power Crunch: French Vanilla Creme

Featuring 14g of protein and only 5g of sugar, the French Vanilla Crème bar from Power Crunch is a very enjoyable and nourishing bar. Inside the wrapper, the 1.4 ounce bar is light and crisp, with a wafer bar style bar that has a creamy layers in the middle. There’s also a light vanilla coating around the bar itself, which adds a nice note to the bar’s finish. Functionally, the bar features a proprietary form of dietary protein, Proto Whey, which the manufacturer claims is designed specifically for the human metabolism. Regardless, the bar’s 14g of protein is sure to have appeal to certain consumers. Packaging is clean, but feels slightly devoid of its own identity, with stock imagery and standard type treatment used for all elements of the design. Further highlighting the “Proto Whey” logo might be a good starting point. Otherwise, figuring out some way to make the package memorable or fun would help this bar a lot. Overall, really enjoyable flavor and function, but needs some work on the packaging.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

PowerCrunch: Triple Chocolate

PowerCrunch’s Triple Chocolate “protein energy bar” is a very unique product bar that’s both enjoyable to eat and functional.  The bar is a “crème filled wafer bar”,  which is something that we’ve only seen in cookies and candy bars.  Compared to other protein bars that have a really tough chew to them or eat like cardboard, this bar is light and flaky with a crisp crunch to the finish.    The bar is sweetened with a blend of sugar, fructose, and stevia, which keeps the carbs low (4g of sugar) and the flavor still on point.  It also features 13g of protein from ProtoWhey, which the manufacturer claims is designed exactly to the specifications of human metabolism.   Otherwise, the bar has 210 calories, 13g of fat, 195mg of potassium, 80mg of sodium, 5% RDA of iron, and 1g of fiber.    The wrapper is clean, but feels slightly generic, which might result in this product not being overly memorable or standing out from the crowd.    However, if a consumer does try it, we’re pretty sure they’ll be hooked.  Overall, one of the best protein bars that we’ve ever sampled.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Betty Lou’s Nut Butter Balls: Peanut Butter

Betty Lou’s Nut Butter Balls are some of the more interesting bars that we’ve come across, starting with the product’s shape, which is more of a “clump” than a “ball.”  Inside the wrapper, there’s loads of peanut butter flavor (it is the second ingredient after all), which, when combined with the other ingredients, makes for an extremely chewy bar.  Added protein crisps give the bar some crunch and variety of texture.    Overall, it’s quite enjoyable to eat.  Nutritionally, the bar has 190 calories, 8g of fat, 3g of fiber, 15g of protein, vitamins, and electrolytes.    On the wrapper, they promote a gluten free formulation with electrolytes.  Not mentioning the product’s protein content seems like a missed opportunity.  Also, there’s the design of the wrapper, which looks more like a snack food than a functional product.  We’d say the same for the name Betty Lou’s and its associated wrapper design.   Updating the design and messaging to something that looks functional and like a sports product would likely improve the marketability of the product.   Nit picking aside, Betty Lou’s Peanut Butter ball is a very unique and enjoyable bar.

Betty Lou’s Nut Butter Balls are some of the more interesting bars that we’ve come across, starting with the product’s shape, which is more of a “clump” than a “ball.”  Inside the wrapper, there’s loads of peanut butter flavor (it is the second ingredient after all), which, when combined with the other ingredients, makes for an extremely chewy bar.  Added protein crisps give the bar some crunch and variety of texture.    Overall, it’s quite enjoyable to eat.  Nutritionally, the bar has 190 calories, 8g of fat, 3g of fiber, 15g of protein, vitamins, and electrolytes.    On the wrapper, they promote a gluten free formulation with electrolytes.  Not mentioning the product’s protein content seems like a missed opportunity.  Also, there’s the design of the wrapper, which looks more like a snack food than a functional product.  We’d say the same for the name Betty Lou’s and its associated wrapper design.   Updating the design and messaging to something that looks functional and like a sports product would likely improve the marketability of the product.   Nit picking aside, Betty Lou’s Peanut Butter ball is a very unique and enjoyable bar.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Full Bar: Cinnamon Roll

Full Bar’s Cinnamon Roll bar is a 100% natural bar that markets itself as being “inspired by weigh loss surgery principles” and “developed by a leading weight loss surgeon.”  On our beverage industry site, BevNET.com, we’ve seen lots of marketers try to position themselves as being people with M.D.s, but it hasn’t worked so well (what’s so wrong with a food scientist anyway?).  That, combined with this bar’s massive size and light weight (1.59 ounces) made us very eager to give this product a try.  Opening the wrapper, we noticed that the bar was sticky and difficult to remove.  Scissors were required to get it out.  The bar uses puffed wheat (along with soy crisps and soy protein) and honey, agave, and brown rice syrup provide the sweetness and coating.  The flavors are further enhanced with natural flavors, salt, and cinnamon.  However, it seems a bit far from being a replacement for a cinnamon roll.  All in all, it’s a tasty bar that has a taste that’s reminiscent of a sweetened breakfast cereal, so we think that it’s pretty likeable.   Nutritionally, the bar has 150 calories, 2g of fat, 6g of protein, 5g of fiber, calcium, sodium, and iron.  Drinking it with water, the bar certainly makes you feel full – so in that sense it works.   As for the packaging, they’ve done a nice job of cleanly arranging the elements on the front of the wrapper.  However, showing an image of a cinnamon roll on a product that’s geared at people who are trying to lose weight seems a bit much.  We’re also not convinced that a weight loss surgeon’s ability to perform medical procedures bears relevance to their ability to formulate shelf stable food products.   Overall, we like the concept and like the flavor, but the visual execution could use some refinement.
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Optimum Nutrition: Peanut Butter (Diet)

This bar delivers a significant protein load with a decent flavor and minimal calories and carbohydrates. The packaging, while a shade bland, invites the eye with its image of peanuts with peanut butter and clarifies the product’s claims with minimal text. The brand name encapsulates its proposition (optimal protein) and the call-outs under it – 180 calories, 20 g of protein and 1g of net carbs – back up its claim. Texture-wise, this bar is uniform and pasty, but its strong peanut butter flavor mostly covers the underlying notes of soy and whey proteins. Its nutrition panel doesn’t offer much for vitamins – 6 percent of your daily need of iron and calcium – but, unlike other protein bars, Optimal Protein Diet doesn’t claim to be anything other than a low-cal, low-carb protein delivery vehicle. Overall, Optimal Protein Diet is a solid choice if you’re trying to add protein to your diet while limiting calories.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Honey Stinger: Chocolate Coated Peanut Butter Pro

This is one of those bars that really “tastes too good to be true” (Or, in bar terms, it tastes too good to be good for you). The flavor of this bar is just plain awesome, with a candy bar like flavor that is extremely palatable and has no protein flavor. The peanut butter flavored base and chocolate coating make it extremely pleasant to eat, with an almost indulgent feeling in your mouth. This bar, which has 10g of whey protein, is also offered in a 20g of protein format as well (which we’ve also reviewed). In addition to having less protein, this bar is 1.5 ounces versus the 2.85 ounces of its counterpart. It’s soft, but less chewy than its counterpart, which makes it easier to eat. Ingredients are pretty straightforward as well, with honey, milk chocolate, peanut butter, whey protein isolate, and vitamins & minerals giving the bar its flavor and nutrition. Packaging is wholesome, but has energy, with the aggressive looking Honey Stinger logo providing a nice splash of personality. Overall, a very well done product.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Zero Impact: Chocolate Peanut Butter

VPX Sports Zero Impact High Protein Meal Bar boasts a large dose of protein and interesting functional claims, but possesses such an unpleasant taste, texture and appearance as to make it inedible to any but the most dedicated gym rat. The product’s bright blue package and bold text attracts the eye with minimal up-front claims. Its side and back panels build expectations – promising to deliver a low-glycemic dose of nutrition with “fat burning fats” – but peeling away the foil reveals a monotonous brown brick. The bar delivers a dry and crumbly texture and a taste that is so paste-like as to turn the stomach. Compressing a chunk of the bar between the tongue and the roof of the mouth squeezed out a hint of peanut butter, but no chocolate notes. Nutritionally, this bar is something of a bomb. At 410 calories, it’s one of the heftiest bars we’ve ever reviewed, and its calorie to protein ratio is higher than that of more popular protein bars. It also doesn’t add much for vitamins and minerals, including only 4-6 percent of your daily recommended consumption of vitamin A, Vitamin C, and iron as well as 10 percent of your suggested daily intake of calcium. Overall, this bar is difficult to choke down, but, if you can handle the taste and buy into its fat burning nutraceutical claim, this bar may be for you.

Rating: 1.5 of 5 stars

Clif Bar Crunch: Chocolate Chip

Clif Crunch is Clif’s granola bar line, which is very similar to what you’d get from the likes of Nature Valley – two thin granola bars stacked on top of one another.  Fortunately, this bar does have its own identity, with a slightly softer consistency that doesn’t crunch as much as the competition.  The flavor is heavy on the oats and rice crisps, while added sugar gives the bar a relatively sweet taste.  They weren’t stingy with the chocolate chips, which makes for a nice complement to the oat flavor at the base of the bar.  Nutritionally, this bar is basically an enhanced snack product, with 180 calories, 1g of fat, 3g of fiber, 4g of protein, potassium, iron, and calcium present in the product.  The wrapper is colorful and clean and makes good use of Clif’s branding to the point where it should be easily identifiable to most consumers.  Overall, Clif’s first entry into the granola bar market is a good one.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Penny Protein Plan: Chocolate Chip Oat Square

The Penny Protein Plan’s Chocolate Oat Square bar is a very well rounded bar that has something for everyone. Designed to be a high protein “treat” for the owner’s (Penny) “no-crave” diet program, this bar has a solid 18g of protein per package, which is derived from added whey protein concentrate).   But unlike many other protein laden bars on the market today, this bar also has loads of wholesome flavor, with oats, molasses, cinnamon, allspice, flax, and even the occasional chocolate chip.  All of these ingredients are easily distinguished from the soft and chewy bar, making for something that truly exceeded our expectations.  Packaging is clean and simple, with a clear plastic wrap that’s held in place by the bar’s wrapper, which is nothing more than a sticker that keeps the wrapper closed.  Unlike other bars that are shaped like candy bars, this one goes for a square approach, making it look more like a brownie than a bar.  That’s okay by us, especially since this helps give the bar an even more handcrafted vibe.  Overall, an extremely well executed bar that we’d love to have more of.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Fairlight Bakery: Zacomega Apple Bar

Fairlight Bakery’s Zacomega Apple Bar is one of the more interesting and unique bars that we’ve tried. This all natural bar says “keep refrigerated” on the wrapper, has 5g of fiber, and plenty of Omega 3’s. Inside the wrapper, you’ll find what basically looks like an overstuffed and slightly shorter apple bar (like a Nutrigrain bar). Fortunately, it tastes way better than your standard apple bar, having a somewhat crumbly oat texture that’s more like an apple crisp topping than what you’d typically find in a bar. In the center of the bar is a sweet and gooey apple center that’s made from real apples. It’s sweet, but not too sweet, although we wouldn’t mind a bit more of the filling relative to the rather thick oat portion of the bar. Nutritionally, this bar has substance, with 240 calories, 7g of fat, 5g of fiber, 6g of protein, 10% iron, 8% calcium, and 2% vitamin A. It’s definitely a bar that can tide you over for a while. On the outside, the bar’s wrapper is bright, with a green color palate making for something that certainly looks different than your average bar. However, the front of the label is pretty cluttered, with a bevy of different fonts and shapes making it hard for your eye to pick what to focus on. Similarly, we don’t really like the name, which seems meaningless and sounds strange as it rolls off your tongue. Overall, what’s inside the wrapper is very different yet enjoyable, while the look of the wrapper is definitely an area for improvement.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Clif C: Apple

Clif C’s Apple is a 9 ingredient bar that is made with dates, almonds, apples, macadamia nuts, apple juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, sea salt, and natural vitamin E. From a flavor point of view, this bar is soft and chewy, with a heavy note of apple and date providing the base flavor. Plus, the addition of chopped nuts and a touch of salt provide a savory note and a light crunch to round things out. All in all, it’s a very balanced flavor that’s easy to devour quickly, especially at the bar’s smallish 1.4 ounce size. Nutritionally, the bar has 130 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 4g of fiber, and 2g of protein. Like the rest of the Clif C line, the bar uses a clear wrapper which allows you to see the bar before opening the wrapper. Put all of this together and you’ve got a bar that’s visually appealing and very enjoyable to eat.
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Forze GPS: Chocolate Decadence

Forze GPS Chocolate Decadence promises to help the consumer curb his appetite through a scientifically-formulated combination of fats, protein, nutrients and fiber. While that efficacy may be difficult to pin down, the bar still satisfies on taste, appearance, texture and nutrition. The bar’s top layer of chocolate chips and chocolate drizzle give it the appearance of an indulgent treat. Its taste resembles that of a brownie, though muted, with undertones of protein powder. Its texture pleasantly mixes chewy and crunchy, though it is perhaps a little scratchy on the throat. Nutritionally, the bar offers 8 g of protein, 5g of fiber and 10 g of sugar in 150 calories – a notable mix considering it makes no high-protein, high-fiber or low-sugar claims. Its vitamin suite is a little scant – just 10 percent of your daily need for vitamins A, C, and E as well as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid- though it also packs 40 percent of one’s daily need for calcium and 6 percent of one’s daily need for iron. Overall, Forze GPS Chocolate Decadence achieves a lot within its 40 grams and 150 calories.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Think Thin: White Chocolate Chip

Think Products’ Think Thin bar is a pretty standard protein bar that comes in a friendly – if boring – wrapper. On the taste front, the bar’s white chocolate coating fails to distract from the core flavor of whey and soy protein. It also suffers from a uniform, mushy texture. On the outside, the bar shoots for mainstream appeal with a pale-green label featuring a photo of white chocolate chunks. Unfortunately, the chunks are difficult to see due to the lack of contrast. The label lists the product’s name in a subdued font, along with a boast calling it a “high protein bar for an active lifestyle.” That’s a fair claim considering its 20 g of protein and total absence of sugar. The bar also boasts notable doses of a suite of vitamins and minerals, including copper, folate and calcium. Overall, Think Thin White Chocolate Chip is a solid nutritional choice, though its labeling, texture and flavor could be improved.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Supreme Protein: Peanut Butter Crunch

Like the other products in the line, Supreme Protein: Peanut Butter Crunch looks and tastes like a candy bar, but delivers like a protein supplement. This bar bursts with creamy peanut butter flavor and offers a texture that blends chewy, crunchy and chewy. From a nutritional standpoint, it freights 15 grams of protein and small doses of 19 vitamins and minerals in 200 calories with just 5 grams of sugar. Its formulation uses artificial sweeteners to achieve its indulgent flavor.The label suffers from over-crowding, with boasts about the bar’s low-carb and trans fat-free credentials, it’s core ingredient and a tag calling it “new and improved” fighting for space with the brand name, flavor, and protein claim. Overall, Supreme Protein’s Peanut Butter Crunch is tasty bar with a significant protein dose for its calorie count, but the line could be bettered by packaging that moved some of its boasts off the front label.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Promax Cookies ‘N Cream

Promax Cookies ‘N Cream doesn’t look, taste, or feel like most protein bars. When you open the package, you’re greeted by a frosted brown stick that resembles a miniature doughnut. It also yields surprisingly easily under the teeth, with a light chewiness reminiscent of cake batter. The taste – though not quite the chocolate cookie and frosting the name suggests –also resembles something stolen from Mom’s kitchen before it reached the oven. Nutritionally, this bar packs 20 grams of protein and meaningful doses of 18 vitamins and minerals. It weighs in a little high on sugar, packing 30 grams, but bills itself as an energy bar rather than a protein supplement – though protein plays prominently on the label. The package is clean and easy to read, but also bland, resembling a private label product. The only major drawback to this bar is it left us with a slight stomach ache – which may have more to do with eating too much of Mom’s cake batter as a kid than the bar itself.

Rating 2.5 of 5 stars

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