Protein cookie...save your $

joemac1988
joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
edited November 23 in Food and Nutrition
"Protein added" foods are often misleading. Let's compare Lenny&Larry's with Chips Ahoy.

Lenny&Larry's
1 Cookie
400 calories
12 fat
68 carbs
16 protein
Total cost: $2.00

Chips Ahoy
7 1/2 Cookies
400 calories
20 fat
55 carbs
2.5 protein
Total Cost: $0.20

Sure, the L&L cookie is lower fat and higher protein but 13.5g of protein isn't significant. Hey, if you like them and you can afford them, by all means eat them. Personally, I'd rather save my money and eat a cookie that tastes better.
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Replies

  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    edited December 2017
    Tried L&L once. Not a fan. Thanks for the breakdown though!
  • H_Ock12
    H_Ock12 Posts: 1,152 Member
    I'm a huge fan of Lenny and Larry. I find the 400 calories from their cookie to be far more filling and better tasting than anything found on the traditional cookie aisle (except Oreos).
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    edited December 2017
    My Protein has a protein cookie that contains 37.5g protein in 320 cals

    Normally costs $24.99 for a box of 12 ($2.08@) but currently on sale for 30% off ($17.79/box or $1.46@) .

    A good price it you're looking for something like them. Lots of positive reviews.

    See: https://m.us.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/protein-cookie/11027529.html?variation=11027537

    Would be a pretty good alternative to a breakfast protein shake or as mid-day snack w/the beverage of your choice.
  • aeloine
    aeloine Posts: 2,163 Member
    edited December 2017
    Is your chips ahoy $$ math right? Not $2 but surely more than $0.20?

    Not a huge difference, but I got $0.54 for the 7 cookies of the original (13 oz box). So you pay a buck fifty more for the protein cookie.
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    [
    lporter229 wrote: »
    I get where you are coming from. I've often thought about the comparison between protein bars and a candy bar like snickers. However, 13.5 grams of protein IS significant to those who struggle to meet their minimum daily requirement.

    this.
    (although 16 grams protein per 400 calories of protein-added food item is still kind of meh at $2 per..but it is definitely significant).
  • TrishSeren
    TrishSeren Posts: 587 Member
    I was so disappointed the first time I ate a protein cookie, it made me so sad.
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    I'm a huge fan of Lenny and Larry. I find the 400 calories from their cookie to be far more filling and better tasting than anything found on the traditional cookie aisle (except Oreos).

    If you like it and can afford it, I'm not trying to take your happiness! I've just found some people are under the impression they're vastly healthier than regular cookies...
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    lporter229 wrote: »
    I get where you are coming from. I've often thought about the comparison between protein bars and a candy bar like snickers. However, 13.5 grams of protein IS significant to those who struggle to meet their minimum daily requirement.

    True. I eat 225g per day so for ME, 13.5g is a minor percentage and it would be cheaper and more protein to have the Chips Ahoy and a scoop of whey.
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    aeloine wrote: »
    Is your chips ahoy $$ math right? Not $2 but surely more than $0.20?

    Not a huge difference, but I got $0.54 for the 7 cookies of the original (13 oz box). So you pay a buck fifty more for the protein cookie.

    Honestly, I don't have a sweet tooth so I don't eat either option lol. I based that math on a family pack off walmart.com
  • consumone
    consumone Posts: 139 Member
    I make my own. I have to have one a day or else I feel like I am getting cheated, I love my chocolate!
  • Nathy_F
    Nathy_F Posts: 40 Member
    joemac1988 wrote: »
    "Protein added" foods are often misleading. Let's compare Lenny&Larry's with Chips Ahoy.

    Lenny&Larry's
    1 Cookie
    400 calories
    12 fat
    68 carbs
    16 protein
    Total cost: $2.00

    Chips Ahoy
    7 1/2 Cookies
    400 calories
    20 fat
    55 carbs
    2.5 protein
    Total Cost: $0.20

    Sure, the L&L cookie is lower fat and higher protein but 13.5g of protein isn't significant. Hey, if you like them and you can afford them, by all means eat them. Personally, I'd rather save my money and eat a cookie that tastes better.

    I'll take the chips ahoy too
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
    I'm a big fan of Lenny and Larry white choc macadamia nut and that 16 grams of protein will def put a dent in meeting my protein goal. I like to make my own though, I can make them much higher in protein and cheaper.
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    I'm surprised by how high the carbs are. I'm diabetic, and I can just about manage 50g of carb at a time, but not 70 - How did they manage this? When you add the three macros it comes to 77.5g for the Chips Ahoy and almost a hundred for the L&L. Usually high protein products are a little lower carb because some of the carbs have been replaced by protein, but not in this case.
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
    sgt1372 wrote: »
    My Protein has a protein cookie that contains 37.5g protein in 320 cals

    Normally costs $24.99 for a box of 12 ($2.08@) but currently on sale for 30% off ($17.79/box or $1.46@) .

    A good price it you're looking for something like them. Lots of positive reviews.

    See: https://m.us.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/protein-cookie/11027529.html?variation=11027537

    Would be a pretty good alternative to a breakfast protein shake or as mid-day snack w/the beverage of your choice.

    Just bought them so thanks! with promo code makes them $14.63 a box so $1.21 a bar.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    If you have time, www.theproteinchef.co has a few good protein microwave cookies.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Chips Ahoy? EWWWW. I'd take L&L (which I really don't care much for except for a couple flavors) any day over Chip Ahoy, even if they had no protein...

    That being said, 13g of protein IS pretty significant. But I don't find them filling one bit (most 'protein' version of regular foods are just not more filling to me).
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited December 2017
    I like L&J.. The Snickerdoodle ones are pretty good.. 16g protein and 360 calories. For me these work, even half the cookie is satisfying. Just not a fan of Chips A Hoy and when I have time I bake my own as well.
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    I'm surprised by how high the carbs are. I'm diabetic, and I can just about manage 50g of carb at a time, but not 70 - How did they manage this? When you add the three macros it comes to 77.5g for the Chips Ahoy and almost a hundred for the L&L. Usually high protein products are a little lower carb because some of the carbs have been replaced by protein, but not in this case.

    What do you mean by "add the three macros"?
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Chips Ahoy? EWWWW. I'd take L&L (which I really don't care much for except for a couple flavors) any day over Chip Ahoy, even if they had no protein...

    That being said, 13g of protein IS pretty significant. But I don't find them filling one bit (most 'protein' version of regular foods are just not more filling to me).

    13 g seems pretty low for 400 cal. To compare, I think Kind bars aren't a very good source of protein (I sometimes eat them when traveling as they are at every airport I've been to and I prefer them to protein bars), and 2 of the peanut butter dark chocolate ones (which is about 400 cal) is something like 16 g of protein.

    Anyway, never had a L&L, so no opinion on how it tastes.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I'm surprised by how high the carbs are. I'm diabetic, and I can just about manage 50g of carb at a time, but not 70 - How did they manage this? When you add the three macros it comes to 77.5g for the Chips Ahoy and almost a hundred for the L&L. Usually high protein products are a little lower carb because some of the carbs have been replaced by protein, but not in this case.

    Yeah, now that you point it out I see that too. Some of the carbs must be fiber, which is not included 100% in the cal count, or it would be way over 400 cal.
  • not_a_runner
    not_a_runner Posts: 1,343 Member
    Not that it really matters, but is that the macros for an older L&L, or the new formula?
    I heard they recently changed the ingredients and the macros (probably because they didn't actually have the macros they previously claimed..?) and they're not as good now.
    I used to really enjoy the birthday cake ones and the double chocolate, but the last box I bought were dry and gross so I threw them away.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I'm surprised by how high the carbs are. I'm diabetic, and I can just about manage 50g of carb at a time, but not 70 - How did they manage this? When you add the three macros it comes to 77.5g for the Chips Ahoy and almost a hundred for the L&L. Usually high protein products are a little lower carb because some of the carbs have been replaced by protein, but not in this case.

    Yeah, now that you point it out I see that too. Some of the carbs must be fiber, which is not included 100% in the cal count, or it would be way over 400 cal.

    I think the carb count in the Op must be for a specific flavor? Most of the L&L cookies I’ve had were ~50-55g carbs of which 8-10g is fiber. And the reason the carb count is so much higher compared to most protein bars/brownies/cookies/goodies is because they use actual sugar (vs sugar substitutes which is the norm). The additional protein and fiber makes them marginally less “bad” than chips ahoy. They are an awful lot of calories for not a lot of protein (or anything of real value), but if you need something that hits those markers, or you are looking for a vegan option, they are palatable.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited December 2017
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I'm surprised by how high the carbs are. I'm diabetic, and I can just about manage 50g of carb at a time, but not 70 - How did they manage this? When you add the three macros it comes to 77.5g for the Chips Ahoy and almost a hundred for the L&L. Usually high protein products are a little lower carb because some of the carbs have been replaced by protein, but not in this case.

    Yeah, now that you point it out I see that too. Some of the carbs must be fiber, which is not included 100% in the cal count, or it would be way over 400 cal.

    I think the carb count in the Op must be for a specific flavor? Most of the L&L cookies I’ve had were ~50-55g carbs of which 8-10g is fiber. And the reason the carb count is so much higher compared to most protein bars/brownies/cookies/goodies is because they use actual sugar (vs sugar substitutes which is the norm). The additional protein and fiber makes them marginally less “bad” than chips ahoy. They are an awful lot of calories for not a lot of protein (or anything of real value), but if you need something that hits those markers, or you are looking for a vegan option, they are palatable.

    Her point was that the numbers didn't add up to the calorie numbers (which is because of the fiber), not that they were low carb compared with a 400 cal cookie (which they aren't).

    Here's a 410 cal cookie (from Potbelly's): 60 g carbs, 17 g fat, 6 g protein.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    edited December 2017
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I'm surprised by how high the carbs are. I'm diabetic, and I can just about manage 50g of carb at a time, but not 70 - How did they manage this? When you add the three macros it comes to 77.5g for the Chips Ahoy and almost a hundred for the L&L. Usually high protein products are a little lower carb because some of the carbs have been replaced by protein, but not in this case.

    Yeah, now that you point it out I see that too. Some of the carbs must be fiber, which is not included 100% in the cal count, or it would be way over 400 cal.

    I think the carb count in the Op must be for a specific flavor? Most of the L&L cookies I’ve had were ~50-55g carbs of which 8-10g is fiber. And the reason the carb count is so much higher compared to most protein bars/brownies/cookies/goodies is because they use actual sugar (vs sugar substitutes which is the norm). The additional protein and fiber makes them marginally less “bad” than chips ahoy. They are an awful lot of calories for not a lot of protein (or anything of real value), but if you need something that hits those markers, or you are looking for a vegan option, they are palatable.

    Her point was that the numbers didn't add up to the calorie numbers (which is because of the fiber), not that they were low carb compared with a 400 cal cookie (which they aren't).

    Here's a 410 cal cookie (from Potbelly's): 60 g carbs, 17 g fat, 6 g protein.

    Right. I was responding more to the “usually the higher protein is a little lower carb...” part of the post. Or trying, but not well I guess.

    L&L numbers are very much in line with a normal cookie (with a little extra protein and fiber). Most protein products (bars/cookies/muffins/etc) do have lower carb counts because they use fake sugars. So compared to a cookie-they are normal. Compared to a protein product-the carbs are high. I think I’m still not explaining well.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I'm surprised by how high the carbs are. I'm diabetic, and I can just about manage 50g of carb at a time, but not 70 - How did they manage this? When you add the three macros it comes to 77.5g for the Chips Ahoy and almost a hundred for the L&L. Usually high protein products are a little lower carb because some of the carbs have been replaced by protein, but not in this case.

    Yeah, now that you point it out I see that too. Some of the carbs must be fiber, which is not included 100% in the cal count, or it would be way over 400 cal.

    I think the carb count in the Op must be for a specific flavor? Most of the L&L cookies I’ve had were ~50-55g carbs of which 8-10g is fiber. And the reason the carb count is so much higher compared to most protein bars/brownies/cookies/goodies is because they use actual sugar (vs sugar substitutes which is the norm). The additional protein and fiber makes them marginally less “bad” than chips ahoy. They are an awful lot of calories for not a lot of protein (or anything of real value), but if you need something that hits those markers, or you are looking for a vegan option, they are palatable.

    Her point was that the numbers didn't add up to the calorie numbers (which is because of the fiber), not that they were low carb compared with a 400 cal cookie (which they aren't).

    Here's a 410 cal cookie (from Potbelly's): 60 g carbs, 17 g fat, 6 g protein.

    Right. I was responding more to the “usually the higher protein is a little lower carb...” part of the post. Or trying, but not well I guess.

    L&L numbers are very much in line with a normal cookie (with a little extra protein and fiber). Most protein products (bars/cookies/muffins/etc) do have lower carb counts because they use fake sugars. So compared to a cookie-they are normal. Compared to a protein product-the carbs are high. I think I’m still not explaining well.

    I think you are explaining fine, and I get what you mean (comparing to a Quest bar or some such). I just don't think that's what the other poster was talking about, I think she meant that for the calories and the protein, the carb numbers seemed high, which is true because if you add up the protein, carb, and fat numbers the calorie amount seems like it should be more than 400. The reason it is not is that for the fiber grams you don't have to add in the full 4 cal/gram, and a number (10 g) of the carb grams were fiber.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    (400 cal of Quest bars would have about 40 g protein, though.)
  • joemac1988
    joemac1988 Posts: 1,021 Member
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Dude, WTF... chips ahoy? That's cardboard parading around as a cookie. The protein cookie probably tastes BETTER than a chips ahoy. At least make the comparison to Famous Amos!

    Haha, you're right! I'm just not a cookie person either way. But Famous Amos are definitely better...I just chose the first that came to mind.
This discussion has been closed.