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There\u2019s no denying that protein is everywhere. Protein oatmeal. Protein doughnuts. Protein boba!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.\u00a0Learn more.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n And then there are the OG protein bars. They\u2019ve exploded in popularity and variety in recent years: the buzzy brand David packs a whopping 28 grams of protein into a 150-calorie bar, thanks to a new modified plant fat. Other protein bars have gone back to basics, with Rx Bars relying on \u201csimple\u201d ingredients such as egg whites and dates to deliver protein-filled sweetness.<\/p>\n Traditional sports brands such as Clif Bar and Gatorade now emphasize their protein bonafides too, while others have taken forms that look more like Little Debby Nutty Buddies than the Power Bars of yore (we\u2019re looking at you, GoMacro).<\/p>\n Sure, these bars serve a purpose when you\u2019re hungry and on the run (though many nutritionists say we don\u2019t need all this protein). But do they taste any good? Have they shed the rubbery textures and saccharine sweetness of their forebears?<\/p>\n To find out, we subjected 22 Guardian colleagues to a taste test of 12 of the top protein bar brands in the US.<\/p>\n Their reviews ranged from \u201ctasted like it was actual chocolate\u201d to \u201creally vile\u201d. Only four protein bars got what we deemed a good flavor score. For all of their reactions, read on.<\/p>\n $29.99 for a 12-pack at GNC<\/span>$20.06 for a 12-pack at Amazon<\/span>$23 for a 12-pack at iHerb<\/span>$25.53 for a 12-pack at Amazon<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Tom Silverstone\/The Guardian<\/p>\n For this taste test, we recruited 22 brave volunteers from the Guardian\u2019s New York City newsroom to eat a lot of protein bars in the name of journalism. To keep things truly blind, we removed packaging from each bar and labeled them A through L. Testers had no idea what they were eating, only that it was a protein bar.<\/p>\n To spare everyone from palate fatigue, we split our volunteers into small groups that sampled six different bars rather than all 12. To keep the comparison fair, we tested the chocolate flavor from each brand, or the closest approximation a brand offered. We also had water and crackers on offer as palate cleansers. (The water was all gone at the end \u2013 make of that what you will.)<\/p>\n After each tasting, testers filled out an anonymous feedback form, writing comments and scoring every bar on flavor, texture, aftertaste and overall quality. One was the lowest score and 5 was highest. Then we crunched the numbers for final average scores and ranked the bars based on a combination of their scores and comments. Only four bars scored above a 3 on flavor \u2013 read about them below.<\/p>\n $29.99 for a 12-pack at GNC<\/span>$32.99 for a variety 12-pack at Amazon<\/span><\/p>\n Flavor score: 4<\/strong> out of 5<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Main source of protein: <\/strong>milk protein blend (calcium caseinate, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nutritional facts: 200<\/strong> calories, 20g<\/strong> protein, 7g<\/strong> fat, 1g<\/strong> sugar, 20g<\/strong> carbohydrates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Barebells Chocolate Dough bars have a chocolate nougat center coated with crisps and a milk chocolate shell. Launched in Sweden in 2016, Barebells claims to be \u201con a mission to prove to the world that protein products don\u2019t have to taste bland\u201d. Tasters ranked it first for flavor and best overall.<\/p>\n What we loved: <\/strong>Tasters said this bar was the closest of the bunch to an authentic candy bar. \u201cIt tastes like a Twix bar,\u201d said a photo editor. A data editor said it had the sugar content he would want to fuel him on a long bike ride. \u201cIt\u2019s got good flavor, it\u2019s got Rice Krispies and the texture was great.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStraight up candy bar for me,\u201d said another taster. \u201cI\u2019ll eat it even if it doesn\u2019t have protein \u2013 it tasted like real sugar and butter.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Tom Silverstone\/The Guardian<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>Some testers said the bar was too sweet and others complained of a \u201cbitter\u201d aftertaste. \u201cI really want to brush my teeth right now,\u201d said a news and features editor.<\/p>\n No one seemed inclined to have more than a single serving, which is probably for the best. The bar comes with a warning: excessive consumption may cause a laxative effect due to sugar alcohols.<\/p>\n $20.06 for a 12-pack at Amazon<\/span>$23.79 for a 12-pack at Gatorade <\/span><\/p>\n Flavor score:<\/strong> 3<\/strong> out of 5<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Main source of protein: <\/strong>whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nutritional facts:<\/strong> 350<\/strong> calories, 20g<\/strong> protein, 13g<\/strong> fat, 28g<\/strong> sugar, 40g<\/strong> carbohydrates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Gatorade\u2019s addition to this category is a high-calorie, high-carb snack marketed as a post-workout recovery snack. It\u2019s a rice-like protein crisp mixed with peanut cream and dipped in a chocolate-flavored coating. (The coating\u2019s grab bag of ingredients include sugar, vegetable oil, citric acid, whey protein isolate and finally, cocoa.)<\/p>\n What we loved: <\/strong>Testers enjoyed the crispy texture and what some perceived as a mild cinnamon flavor (though the spice is not listed as an ingredient) and scored it highest in terms of aftertaste. \u201cIt\u2019s a nice high concentration of crispies, which I like,\u201d said the news and features editor. \u201cMuch of it is comprised of the puffed rice instead of the sweet chocolate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think this is the only bar so far that I would actually eat,\u201d said one tester, calling its texture \u201cthe winner\u201d. The data editor also liked the texture. \u201cIt tastes like a chocolate Rice Krispies Treats in a very good way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Tom Silverstone\/The Guardian<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>Some testers said the bar was too sweet (it has 24 grams of sugar), and if you\u2019re concerned about ultra-processed foods, this one has one of the longest and most complicated-sounding ingredient lists of the group.<\/p>\n $23 for a 12-pack at iHerb<\/span>$23 for a 12-pack at Amazon <\/span><\/p>\n Flavor score: 3.4<\/strong> out of 5<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Main source of protein: <\/strong>soy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nutritional facts<\/strong>: 200<\/strong> calories, 11g<\/strong> protein, 7g<\/strong> fat, 14g<\/strong> sugar, 26g<\/strong> carbohydrates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n NuGo, another crispy, peanut-buttery snack coated in chocolate, touts its vegan and palm oil- and gluten-free bonafides on its packaging (Aloha, another high ranker we tested, is also vegan and gluten-free). It also boasts of being made with real dark chocolate. We checked, and dark chocolate is indeed the very first ingredient on its list.<\/p>\n What we loved: <\/strong>Tasters liked the crunch and mild flavor of NuGo Dark Chocolate Mocha. \u201cIt\u2019s giving crunch, it\u2019s giving chocolate, it\u2019s very solid,\u201d said an executive editor. \u201cFour stars.\u201d<\/p>\n Many also noted a mild coffee taste. \u201cIt was like if a protein milk mocha had a baby with Rice Krispie treats, and I\u2019ll take that,\u201d said an executive assistant. (No espresso or coffee flavoring are listed among the ingredients, but enough dark chocolate could impart a hint of mocha.)<\/p>\n \u201c[This] was the winner so far,\u201d said a business editor. \u201cMaybe because all the other ones are so horrible.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Tom Silverstone\/The Guardian<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>Though it touts \u201creal\u201d ingredients, at least one taster said the bar, which has 13 grams of sugar, was too sweet and \u201ctastes fake\u201d.<\/p>\n $25.53 for a 12-pack at Amazon<\/span>$29.99 for a 12-pack at All Star Health<\/span><\/p>\n Flavor score:<\/strong> 3<\/strong> out of 5<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Main source of protein:<\/strong> blend of brown rice protein and pumpkin seed protein<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nutritional facts<\/strong>: 220<\/strong> calories, 14g<\/strong> protein, 9g<\/strong> fat, 5g<\/strong> sugar, 26g<\/strong> carbohydrates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Aloha is an employee-owned, Certified B Corp and Climate Neutral Certified company, the last of which means it offsets the carbon it produces. It also partners with sustainable farms and youth organizations in Hawaii. Many of the plant-based Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor\u2019s ingredients are organic, including dark chocolate, cocoa powder and creamy cashew butter.<\/p>\n What we loved: <\/strong>Tasters appreciated the dark chocolate taste and candy-like crunch on the Aloha bar. The bar drew comparisons to chocolate ice cream and at least one sampler noted an earthy carob taste.<\/p>\n \u201cIt tasted like it was actual chocolate, not that fake chocolate flavor,\u201d said a finance manager.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>Some tasters said the aftertaste lingered a little too long. \u201cStrong taste might be too much across a whole bar,\u201d wrote one in their anonymous feedback form. The carob-like flavor was \u201ctoo strong\u201d, another agreed.<\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Tom Silverstone\/The Guardian<\/p>\n Eight of the 12 bars scored below average. Testers found them divisive, just OK or plain terrible, leading us to conclude that while protein bars can be great in a pinch, they\u2019re still more utilitarian than decadent.<\/p>\n As one tester said at the end of the experiment: \u201cIt must be really hard to make a good protein bar, because the[se] basically all sucked.\u201d<\/p>\n David Protein Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n $31.99 for a 12-pack at Nutrition Faktory <\/span>$39 for a 12-pack at Amazon<\/span><\/p>\n Main source of protein:<\/strong> milk protein isolate, collagen, whey protein concentrate, egg white<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nutritional facts<\/strong>: 150<\/strong> calories, 28g<\/strong> protein, 2g<\/strong> fat, 7g<\/strong> sugar alcohols, 12g<\/strong> carbohydrates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The verdicts: <\/strong>\u201cIt reminded me of Tootsie Rolls.\u201d \u201cWeirdly spongey.\u201d \u201cMushy, but I still enjoyed it as much as one can enjoy eating a protein bar.\u201d \u201cStuck to teeth.\u201d \u201cGood texture with Rice Krispies.\u201d \u201cNice mix of textures with the puffed rice, but not enough to offset the bland flavor.\u201d<\/p>\n Quest Nutrition Protein Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n $23.99 for a 12-pack at Amazon<\/span>$23.99 for a 12-pack at Target<\/span><\/p>\n Main source of protein:<\/strong> milk protein isolate, whey protein concentrate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nutritional facts<\/strong>: 170<\/strong> calories, 20g<\/strong> protein, 7g<\/strong> fat, 9g<\/strong> sugar alcohols, 24g<\/strong> carbohydrates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The verdicts:<\/strong> \u201cIt took me on a journey to sadness.\u201d \u201cIt feels like it actually has real, like 75% cacao chocolate chips in it. But [they\u2019re] coated in gross, dry, bad, fake chocolate.\u201d (Note: the Double Chocolate Chunk flavor\u2019s ingredients include unsweetened chocolate and processed cocoa.) \u201cReally dehydrating.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s too heavy, like you can\u2019t carry that in your purse.\u201d \u201cFlavor is okay, but the texture is not good.\u201d<\/p>\n Clif Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n $17.81 for a 12-pack at Amazon <\/span>$19.98 for a 12-pack at Walmart<\/span><\/p>\n Main source of protein: <\/strong>soy protein isolate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nutritional facts<\/strong>: 280<\/strong> calories, 20g<\/strong> protein, 9g<\/strong> fat, 18g<\/strong> sugar, 31g<\/strong> carbohydrates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The verdicts: <\/strong>\u201cToo dense.\u201d \u201cTasted like a fruitcake.\u201d \u201cNot hearty enough. Like, if you\u2019re in a rush, you can grab it, but you\u2019re still gonna be hungry.\u201d \u201cVery chalky and dry.\u201d<\/p>\n Rx Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n $16.98 for a 10-pack at Amazon<\/span>$16.98 for a 10-pack at Walmart<\/span><\/p>\n Main source of protein:<\/strong> egg whites<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nutritional facts<\/strong>: 200<\/strong> calories, 12g<\/strong> protein, 8g<\/strong> fat, 14g<\/strong> sugar, 23g<\/strong> carbohydrates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The verdicts: <\/strong>\u201cIt\u2019s just horrible.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s so sticky that feels like it\u2019s like a choking hazard \u2013 you can\u2019t get it off the roof of your mouth. And then the flavor is not even good.\u201d \u201cJust three words: bland, bland, bland.\u201d<\/p>\n Think! High Protein Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Courtesy Photo$17.99 for a 12-pack at Amazon<\/span>$17.99 for a 12-pack at Target<\/span><\/p>\n Main source of protein:<\/strong> soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nutritional facts<\/strong>: 230<\/strong> calories, 20g<\/strong> protein, 8g<\/strong> fat, 8g<\/strong> sugar alcohols, 24g<\/strong> carbohydrates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The verdicts: <\/strong>\u201cNice! Dark chocolate, not too sweet.\u201d \u201cToo claggy.\u201d \u201cNot horrible.\u201d Built Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span> Photograph: Courtesy Photo$22.90 for a 12-pack at Walmart<\/span>$26.94 for a 12-pack at Amazon<\/span><\/p>\n Main source of protein:<\/strong> collagen protein blend<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nutritional facts<\/strong>: 140<\/strong> calories, 17g<\/strong> protein, 2.5g<\/strong> fat, 6g<\/strong> sugar alcohols, 14g<\/strong> carbohydrates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The verdicts:<\/strong> \u201cLooks like real delicious chocolate but is actually sludgy goop that once knew chocolate in a past life.\u201d \u201cStrong candy flavor and texture. It reminded me of chocolate marshmallow with chocolate coating, [but it] needed a cookie or some kind of crunch to offset the monotony.\u201d \u201cToo sweet, needs a crunch to add to the marshmallow\u2019s texture.\u201d \u201cLike tar. Nauseating.\u201d \u201cVile.\u201d<\/p>\n GoMacro Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n $24.74 for a 12-pack at Amazon<\/span>$32.99 for a 12-pack at Walmart<\/span><\/p>\n Main source of protein:<\/strong> brown rice protein, pea protein<\/p>\n<\/li>\nThe very best protein bars in the US at a glance<\/h2>\n
How we taste-tested protein bars<\/h2>\n
Best overall: Barebells Chocolate Dough<\/h2>\n
\u2018Straight up candy bar for me \u2013 I\u2019ll eat it even if it doesn\u2019t have protein<\/em>\u2019<\/em><\/h2>\n
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Best with high protein content: Gatorade Chocolate Chip<\/h2>\n
\u2018Tastes like a chocolate <\/em>Rice <\/em>Krispies <\/em>treat in a very good way\u2019<\/em><\/h2>\n
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Best vegan: NuGo Dark Chocolate Mocha<\/h2>\n
\u2018Like if a protein milk mocha had a baby with Rice Krispie treats\u2019<\/em><\/h2>\n
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Best organic: Aloha Chocolate Fudge Brownie<\/h2>\n
\u2018Like chocolate, specifically chocolate ice cream<\/em>\u2019<\/em><\/h2>\n
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Other protein bars we made our colleagues try<\/h2>\n
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\u201cChalky with bitter aftertaste.\u201d \u201cLight subtle flavor that disappears quickly. Good choice if you\u2019re in charge of bringing the protein bars for a hike with family and friends.\u201d \u201cNasty, lingering flavor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
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