Trader Joe’s Protein Bar review summary: At 40 g, the bar provides 190 calories, 11 g of fat, 15 g of carbohydrates, 10 g of protein, and a generous amount of electrolytes such as sodium, calcium, and potassium. Its chocolate-peanut butter flavor is tasty, and the best part is that the bar costs less than a dollar!
Many sports nutrition products cost an arm and leg, making them impractical for daily training and snacking. I reserve some of my favorite energy gels, energy bars, and sports drinks strictly for race day because some of these products can cost up to USD 3-4 per item.
Today’s review subject – Trader Joe’s Chewy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Bar – is a solid protein bar with a decent flavor, balanced nutritional profile, and, most importantly, only 70 cents. Great bang for the buck! (Here’s a full review of bar that’s a dollar.)
Read on to learn more about this store-branded protein bar.
What is Trader Joe’s Chewy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Bar? Marketing claims
According to the product website, the bar’s goal is to combine the soft texture of cereal bars with the rich protein content of protein bars and make it delicious enough as an everyday snack.
While the Trader Joe’s bar does have an easily chewable texture and delivers 10 g of protein, I consider these criteria basic components of any protein bar.
I’ve had countless delicious protein bars with soft textures and even more protein. What Trader Joe’s did is nothing special.
The brand achieved a passing grade and provided the bare minimum but won me over with an affordable price.
What are the ingredients and nutrition facts of Trader Joe’s Protein Bar?
At 40 g, Trader Joe’s Chewy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Bar provides 190 calories, 11 g of fat, 15 g of carbohydrates, 10 g of protein, and a generous amount of electrolytes such as sodium, calcium, and potassium.
It’s a well-rounded bar on paper, but 10 g of protein is considered on the low end of the protein bar category. Here’s an option that really packs in.
The ingredient list is lengthy, with many processed items. To be fair, the brand didn’t set out to create a natural bar.
Two more things worth pointing out regarding the primary ingredients – peanut butter and soy protein.
- Although peanut butter is rich in protein, it’s not a complete protein since it lacks the essential amino acid methionine.
- Soy protein is a complete protein, but its cost is much lower than other popular protein sources, such as whey protein and pea protein. Nutritionists and dieticians have also claimed that soy protein might be inferior in helping athletes recover.
What are the taste and texture of Trader Joe’s Chewy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Bar?
I enjoyed the protein bar’s taste and easily chewable texture. Chocolate plus peanut butter is a combination that’s hard to beat. However, I wouldn’t mind if peanut butter’s flavor was stronger.
Soy protein crisps gave the bar a bit of crunchiness and allowed it to hold its form in hotter temperatures and when carried in your running packs and belts.
Is Trader Joe’s Chewy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Bar healthy?
The protein bar contains 7 g of added sugar. It includes many non-whole foods such as chocolate liquor, soy protein crisps, molasses, etc. It’s unlikely that any nutritionist would define it as healthy since the bar is really a candy bar disguised with 10 g of protein.
When should you eat Trader Joe’s Chewy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Bar?
We wouldn’t recommend eating the bar every day. But as a mid-exercise fuel for extended efforts such as ultramarathons or long hikes, it does provide crucial nutrients such as carbohydrates and electrolytes to keep you moving.
With 15 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of protein, the bar is also a convenient sports nutrition for post-workout recovery if healthier options aren’t available.
However, if eating healthy is not your top priority, the Trader Joe’s bar can certainly be a tasty daily snack. To each their own.
Conclusion: pros and cons of Trader Joe’s Chewy Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Bar?
Pros:
- Sold in a box of five bars at USD 3.49. Super affordable.
- Includes all three macro-nutrients and minerals to provide a balanced nutritional profile.
- With 15 g of carbohydrates and 190 calories, it can serve as an energy bar for mid-exercise.
- Taste great with a soft texture. Doesn’t melt or crumble easily.
Cons
- Judging the ingredient list, it’s a candy bar in disguise.
- Many non-whole food ingredients.
- 10 g is not a lot of protein for a protein bar.
