Manila isn't exactly the melting pot for finding protein bars. The easiest commercial place to spot "protein bars" is usually Healthy Options. However, most of the protein bars (of acceptable caloric density, i.e. less than 250kcal) sold there are actually more of "energy bars" (ex: 20g carbs, 10g protein), than protein bars.
Energy Bar vs Protein Bar
- energy bars (carbs = energy)
- carb protein ratio differs
- energy bars have way higher carbs compared to protein, actual protein bars have around 20g protein
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with energy bars, but for the sake of transparency, I classified the protein bars I'll be reviewing to those two types. Below is a list of just a few protein bars that are actually available in Manila, part one of a series of reviews I'll be posting soon!
ENERGY BARS
• Oatmega (Chocolate Mint Crisp, Brownie Crisp)
photo source: https://tastymeditation.files.wordpress.com
Personally I consider Oatmega one of the most guilt-free bars in the list, as all the ingredients are all-natural and their bars contain the good omega-3 fats. Both the Brownie Crisp and Chocolate Mint Crisp flavours taste real, not chemical or processed.
The Brownie flavour is a good "sinful" brownie/cookie, with more of a dutch chocolate taste than plain cocoa, and the Mint Chocolate flavour tastes like a peppermint covered chocolate bark (aka tastes a lot like Christmas candy canes).
Although it doesn't hit the 20g "high-protein" mark, its 14g are fairly high considering being an "all-natural" energy bar with high-carb ingredients like oatmeal. (Usually energy bars end up chockfull of calories when they try to increase their protein content.)
And, unlike other bars, Oatmega uses whey, which is considered the "highest quality protein," as their main protein source.
Needless to say, Oatmega stands as one of my personal favourites.
SCORE
Flavour: 5/5
Texture: 4/5
Protein-Carb Ratio: 3/5
-------------------------------
Overall: 4/5
Available at: Healthy Options
• INBar (Choco Mint flavour)
100% GMO-free, gluten & allergen free, kosher, vegan
Tastes like health covered in a heaping dose of toothpaste. It's as if I already brushed my teeth simply by devouring the bar -- except the texture made it hard to eat (it was like an unbaked granola-fudge bar), but is good to take in pinched-off chunks.
Honestly would never buy this bar again (and never did). Mainly because it doesn't taste good, but also because it isn't worth it (I'd rather brush my teeth).
SCORE
Flavour: 2/5
Texture: 2/5
Protein-Carb Ratio: 2/5
-------------------------------
Overall: 2/5
Available at: Healthy Options
• NuGo Dark (Mint Chocolate)
10g protein, gluten-free, vegan
NuGo Dark is the decadent variant of NuGo's bars which are dipped in real dark chocolate. Unlike other bars that only have crisps on the outside, these also have crisp chunks on the inside, making it even taste more like a candy bar than a healthy energy bar.
Honestly this is also probably tied for my favourite mint chocolate flavour with the ones from Oatmega, with NuGo leaning towards the more decadent chocolate brownie taste.
SCORE
Flavour: 5/5
Texture: 4/5
Protein-Carb Ratio: 3/5
-------------------------------
Overall: 4/5
Available at: Healthy Options
PROTEIN BARS
• Quest Bars (Cookies & Cream)
Most bodybuilders consider this the "holy grail" or canon in terms of protein bars. Even with the whole issue on current recipe alterations/macro changes, there's a good reason why Cookies & Cream Quest Bars are considered the best. Good enough to spawn its own #chunkporn hashtag.
Although it leaves some weird sticky stuff on your hands after touching/pinching chunks off, the taste makes it worth it. It's as if you're eating solid/hardened cookies and cream ice cream.
SCORE
Flavour: 5/5
Texture: 4/5
Protein-Carb Ratio: 4/5
-------------------------------
Overall: 4.5/5
(okay, so I may be biased, hence the ".5")
Available at: Supplement Hub
• Musclepharm Combat Crunch (Cinnamon Twist)
As a person who isn't exactly a fan of cinnamon and have never in my life even had a Cinnabon, I found this flavour amazing. For cinnamon fans, it isn't really spice-flavoured, more of a sweet sticky roll, perfect for curbing a sweet tooth craving.
More than just the amazingly satisfying taste, Musclepharm crunch bars have one of the best carb-protein ratios and the "baked" and crunchy texture makes it even more filling. Unlike other chemical-tasting protein bars, these really have the whole "baked goods" thing going: gooey interior, and a nice rice-krispie like topping dipped in what tastes like cupcake frosting.
SCORE
Flavour: 5/5
Texture: 4/5
Protein-Carb Ratio: 5/5
-------------------------------
Overall: 4.5/5
Available at: Supplement Hub
• OhYeah One (Cookies & Creme)
OhYeah bars are usually famous for their Birthday Cake flavour, but this Cookies & Creme one tastes lowkey like a Quest Bar, minus the chunks. It also comes "dipped" in a vanilla "glaze" which is a welcome addition to the goodness this bar possesses.
However, flavour-wise, it's a lot more mellowed out than that of Quest's and is a little bit too "vanilla" and replaceable. Personally would opt for the Quest brand when it comes to cookies & cream.
SCORE
Flavour: 4/5
Texture: 4/5
Protein-Carb Ratio: 4/5
-------------------------------
Overall: 4/5
Available at: Nutrition Depot (currently sold-out though)
BONUS
• Lenny & Larry's Complete Cookie
Flavours found: Oatmeal Raisin, Double Chocolate, White Chocolate Macadamia, Peanut Butter
photo source: postedprotein.co.uk
In terms of calories/carb-protein ratio, L&L cookies aren't exactly the best but any IIFYM-er/IFBB Bikini girl usually have this stocked up her sleeve, mainly because they taste B O M B (depending on the flavour).
I found that the Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Raisin were a bit too dense and dry for my taste, and the PB lacks flavour. The Oatmeal Raisin tastes best paired with vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, and thankfully, not too drowned in cinnamon.
White Chocolate Macadamia turned out to be my ultimate favourite flavour -- it had the right amount of sweetness and chunks, and texture-wise, it was the perfect kind of gooey in the middle. Double Chocolate was the not-chocolatey-enough version of the White Chocolate; good but not great though.
SCORE
Flavour:
- Peanut Butter (2/5)
- Oatmeal Raisin (3/5)
- White Chocolate Macadamia (5/5)
- Double Chocolate (3/5)
Texture: - Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Raisin (2/5)
- Double Chocolate (3/5)
- White Chocolate Macadamia (4/5)
Protein-Carb Ratio: (2/5)
-------------------------------
Overall: (3/5)
No comments:
Post a Comment