Labdoor Finally Testing Protein Bars
Gallowmere1984
Posts: 6,626 Member
https://labdoor.com/rankings/protein-bars
Quest came out on top, which should shock precisely no one. That said, it's still early days, as this is their first round of bars. I expect more than the current 20 in the near future.
However, the thing that I didn't see coming is just how poorly all of these "whole food" bars score, compared to their "heavily processed" brethren.
Want protein? Go for Quest, Premier, and Met-RX.
Want Cadmium, Lead, and Arsenic? Reach for Vega Sport, Rise, and SimplyProtein.
Overall, about the only one that shocked me was Mission1. Given their typical pricepoint, and MuscleTech's reputation, I was expecting them to be far worse.
Quest came out on top, which should shock precisely no one. That said, it's still early days, as this is their first round of bars. I expect more than the current 20 in the near future.
However, the thing that I didn't see coming is just how poorly all of these "whole food" bars score, compared to their "heavily processed" brethren.
Want protein? Go for Quest, Premier, and Met-RX.
Want Cadmium, Lead, and Arsenic? Reach for Vega Sport, Rise, and SimplyProtein.
Overall, about the only one that shocked me was Mission1. Given their typical pricepoint, and MuscleTech's reputation, I was expecting them to be far worse.
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Replies
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Interesting info!
I'll be keeping an eye on this for sure....interested to see where my favorites fall...0 -
I am so glad to see Power Crunch ranked that low. I had a sample of their salted caramel bar that was vile.
It's nice to see Premier ranked so high. Those bars are easy to pick up for cheap.1 -
CooCooPuff wrote: »I am so glad to see Power Crunch ranked that low. I had a sample of their salted caramel bar that was vile.
It's nice to see Premier ranked so high. Those bars are easy to pick up for cheap.
Yeah, Premier is another one that's easy to grab on the cheap, that isn't completely horrid. I'm not a huge fan of soy in large quantities, but given that I don't normally live on bars, they're a solid option for a relatively decent protein to money ratio.
I'll be interested to see how FitCrunch ranks whenever they get around to it. Given it's fat to pro ratio, I'm expecting it to be a bit low, even if everything else is solid.0 -
I want them to rank Kirkland bars so bad. They are Quest but better and fit LC macros so beautifully3
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JessicaMcB wrote: »I want them to rank Kirkland bars so bad. They are Quest but better and fit LC macros so beautifully
I have a feeling that those are essentially rebranded Mission1. Same flavor availability, seems to have the exact same texture profile and ingredient list as well.1 -
Pure Protein was #10 with a B-. Yay for my stuff!1
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Good find/read...a bit disturbing as always.0
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Thanks Kirkland is now added, ranks #41
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Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
Wait - what??0 -
Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
Wait - what??
Someone yayed that their protein bar got a B- plus failed the heavy metal screening. Not exactly yay worthy.
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little bit sad that the builder bars are mid-pack. i was already starting to back off from them after i noticed the sat fat content, but my relationship with them has been real.0
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Christine_72 wrote: »Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
Wait - what??
Someone yayed that their protein bar got a B- plus failed the heavy metal screening. Not exactly yay worthy.
Yeah, that's what I was doing the double-take on. I switched to Pure Protein from Quest for the price break. I might have to re-think that...
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Christine_72 wrote: »Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
Wait - what??
Someone yayed that their protein bar got a B- plus failed the heavy metal screening. Not exactly yay worthy.
Yeah, that's what I was doing the double-take on. I switched to Pure Protein from Quest for the price break. I might have to re-think that...
Keep in mind though, even LD has a flaw in this area. They test one batch of one flavor of each brand. There can be vast differences in bars like PP, due to large shifts in ingredients between flavors. Seriously, compare the chocolate deluxe ingredients list to say, the dark chocolate coconut. They're not even made from the same type of protein (the former is primarily milk/whey and the latter is primarily soy), and the rest of the list is even more divergent.
Quest on the other hand, tends to be a lot more consistent with their ingredients, as it appears to be a constant base, just with slightly altered flavorings and mix-ins used.1 -
Gallowmere1984 wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
Wait - what??
Someone yayed that their protein bar got a B- plus failed the heavy metal screening. Not exactly yay worthy.
Yeah, that's what I was doing the double-take on. I switched to Pure Protein from Quest for the price break. I might have to re-think that...
Keep in mind though, even LD has a flaw in this area. They test one batch of one flavor of each brand. There can be vast differences in bars like PP, due to large shifts in ingredients between flavors. Seriously, compare the chocolate deluxe ingredients list to say, the dark chocolate coconut. They're not even made from the same type of protein (the former is primarily milk/whey and the latter is primarily soy), and the rest of the list is even more divergent.
Quest on the other hand, tends to be a lot more consistent with their ingredients, as it appears to be a constant base, just with slightly altered flavorings and mix-ins used.
Interesting! I would associate a more consistent ingredient list (starting with the protein source) with a higher quality just off the top of my head.0 -
Gallowmere1984 wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
Wait - what??
Someone yayed that their protein bar got a B- plus failed the heavy metal screening. Not exactly yay worthy.
Yeah, that's what I was doing the double-take on. I switched to Pure Protein from Quest for the price break. I might have to re-think that...
Keep in mind though, even LD has a flaw in this area. They test one batch of one flavor of each brand. There can be vast differences in bars like PP, due to large shifts in ingredients between flavors. Seriously, compare the chocolate deluxe ingredients list to say, the dark chocolate coconut. They're not even made from the same type of protein (the former is primarily milk/whey and the latter is primarily soy), and the rest of the list is even more divergent.
Quest on the other hand, tends to be a lot more consistent with their ingredients, as it appears to be a constant base, just with slightly altered flavorings and mix-ins used.
Interesting! I would associate a more consistent ingredient list (starting with the protein source) with a higher quality just off the top of my head.
Some flavors just work better with different kinds on protein. Super sweet and milky flavors (like chocolate, cookie dough, and cookies & cream) tend to work better when made with whey, in my experience of making my own bars. Fruity and tropical flavors often go better with veggie proteins, although I will admit that I've never really worked with soy protein.0 -
I find it frightening that manufactured products marketed as food have measurable quantities of toxic heavy metals. That alone makes me wary of trying any of these.1
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Interesting; thanks for posting!
I've started buying Quest bars through Amazon Subscribe & Save, which at least saves 15% off a box. I tried the Kirkland brand version and wanted to love them but wasn't wild about them. (Also, IIRC they had tree nuts in them and one son is allergic so I was less comfortable having them in the house.)0 -
Kirkland failed heavy metal screen... no kittens given... I love those things1
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What about rice and juice? Both of those have had major scandals over the past couple of years regarding the amounts of arsenic in them. Some cacao powders naturally contain enough cadmium in them to have to put that California prop 65 warning on them. Assuming that something is made using ingredients that originally came from nature, there's going to be some trace amounts of heavy metals. But, assuming that you're not gorging yourself on stuff that's higher in heavy metals vs. other foods, you'll be fine.I find it frightening that manufactured products marketed as food have measurable quantities of toxic heavy metals. That alone makes me wary of trying any of these.
It's kind of like fish -- they're healthy for you. In fact, you should eat them several times a week. Just don't eat, say, swordfish every day. Eat salmon and light tuna most days, and only eat swordfish once or twice a month.1
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