Thanks to one of our readers (thank you, Tera!) who suggested that I try Jay Robb protein bars since I can’t seem to find any that are both clean and that I don’t have to hold my nose to eat (my only two requirements, so I don’t think I’m asking for *that* much) I think I have found a bar that I actually like and is clean! I actually bought two single bars to kind of test out before I splurge on a whole box. I mean what’s worse than shelling out money for a box of bars that go in the trash? So I’m happy that Jay Robb offers that option.
I’ll start with the Fudge Brownie because it was my least favorite for a couple of reasons.
High Protein Jay Bar Fudge Brownie
As with most chocolate protein bars, this really didn’t taste like chocolate. I suppose it may taste like a “clean” chocolate (not delicious like my clean hot chocolate, for sure), but it just wasn’t a taste I enjoy, and eating the bar left an aftertaste, which I really, really dislike. The ingredients are good, certainly better than the Kashi protein bars I tried, but I do have one concern from the ingredients list:
Organic almond butter, organic agave syrup, whey protein crisps (whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, tapioca starch, calcium carbonate), whey protein isolate, hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, xylitol, cocoa powder, gum arabic, almonds, natural flavors, and sea salt.
Pretty clean, huh? Yes. My only problem is the xylitol. I do understand that this is considered a clean and natural alternative to sugar, and I think that’s awesome…for those who can stomach it (literally). It is rare to experience side effects from xylitol, but I am one of those oddities that xylitol wreaks havoc on my digestive system.
Nutritional Info: 220 calories | Total Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 233mg | Carbs: 23g | Fiber 6g | Sugars 10g | Sugar Alcohol: 5g | Protein 14g
Loaded with protein and a good source of fiber and actually clean, the High Protein Jay Bar is one of the better bars on the market, as far as that goes; however, I can’t get past the taste or the xylitol. I will say that the taste isn’t that much worse than other chocolate bars that I’ve tried, so don’t let that deter you if you actually like the taste of chocolate energy bars! I personally am done with trying to find a good chocolate protein bar, and will just stick with other flavors or try making my own chocolate protein bars.
The bars really weren’t all that expensive. They are a bit more expensive than what can be bought in the grocery store, but with the ingredients being as close to natural as possible and cleaner than what’s in a typical grocery store, it’s not surprising. One bar is $2.99 and a box of the High-Protein Fudge Brownie Jay Bar is $35.88, plus shipping.
Read my review of the Jay Robb Get Energized Yammit! Almond Energy Bar
Try the thinkFruit Cashew Acai Protect bar. No sugar added. Ingredients as follows: dates, cashews, chicory root fiber, pectin flaxseed, acai.
There are a couple other varieties at my local grocery store, but they all included “natural flavor”.
i just stumbled upon the fudge brownie jaybar myself, tried it for the first time this morning. i actually really liked it, tasted great to me and i do consider myself to be particular. i am lucky enough to not have any issues with xylitol, and was pleased to finally discover a protein bar that isn’t full of garbage. it does have “natural flavors” listed toward the end of the ingredients list, and i always wonder what that means exactly, but overall i am quite pleased with this bar. i suppose it just boils down to personal taste and preference. i appreciate your review!