Have you ever wondered how many different types of protein bars are on the market? I only started to fully realize this when compiling our recent testing of supermarket bars. So when it comes to Barebells, I wouldn't be surprised if you can't think of any.
These bars are definitely worth it though, as they are unrivalled in terms of taste. But how are the ingredients doing? Which variant is the best? Find out in today's review.
Content of the review
To begin with, I can only add that I have tried this bar in 6 out of 7 offeredvariants, so besides the comparison with the others, you will also find out which one I liked the most.
Ingredients that have benefits and shortcomings
When I looked at the ingredients of these bars, I must admit that I was quite surprised. On the one hand, the ingredients contain a few points worth highlighting:
- The use of maltitol - this sweetener is quite sweet, yet contains significantly fewer calories compared to sugar . And this is what definitely comes in handy in protein bars.
- Milk protein - This has a very good spectrum of amino acids and their release is much slower than for example from whey hydrolysate and if you don't want to eat protein bars only after your workout, this is a better choice.
- The real nut content - how many times have you eaten someand then realised that it actually only contains, say, 0.05% of the ingredients declared in the flavour? Barebells bars contain real nuts, for example the hazelnut and nougat variant has 7.5% nuts.
On the other hand, it is important to know that this bar has some negatives in terms of composition. First of all, I do not like the following two:
- Hydrolyzed collagen content - In my opinion, extremely low quality (but cheap for the manufacturer) protein that has significantly less utility than any whey or milk protein. For supermarket bars this may be understandable, but not for a 60 crown bar.
- Palm fat content - Defacto the same applies to palm fat as to hydrolysed collagen. It is a raw material that is somewhat controversial, but its use in cheap bars is excusable. But not in one of the most expensive bars on the market.
Ultimately, however, I rate the composition positively, especially thanks to the greatThe bar contains less than 3 grams of simple sugars.
Whichever variant you choose, you won't go wrong
As I mentioned in the introduction, I've tried Barebells in all the available variants except the new mint-chocolate, which frankly didn't appeal to me much. So my assessment goes something like this:
- White Chocolate and Almond (10/10) - An absolute taste orgasm that you will love too. The bar has a very soft consistency, is sprinkled with chunks of almonds and covered in white chocolate. When you bite into it, it doesn't have a powdery consistency like, say, Prom-In, it's quite sweet but not overly sweet. The almonds can be clearly smelled, their taste is quite intense and when the white chocolate melts in your mouthwhen the chocolate is melted, it creates an unforgettable taste experience that cannot be rated other than 10 points.
- Caramel and cashews (9.5/10) - Underneath the original chocolate layer with the nut pieces is the caramel, which is the softest part. Then comes the typical mass that is identical to almost all the others. Like the other bars, it is quite sweet, the caramel and cashews are clearly noticeable.
- Salted Caramel (9/10) - This version of the bar is extremely reminiscent of the popularSnickers, which I liked very much before I followed a strict diet. However, it has slightly better nutritional values, which is definitely a nice plus. Its consistency is soft and you get so addicted to the bar that you can't stay with just one. I give this variant a 9 out of 10.
- Chocolate and coconut (9/10) - Also a very good variant, although it was a bit stiffer and needed to be deHowever, it tasted completely natural and wasn't too sweet, which I appreciate. Both the coconut and the chocolate were intense, but not enough to give the impression that they were artificially added to the product. Therefore, I also rate it 9 points.
- Nougat and hazelnut (9/10) - I am impressed by how well the combination works of hazelnut and nougat I had never thought about before. But when I tried this protein bar, I completely fell in love with it. Even though I was worried about the artificial aftertaste, it feels completely natural and I can't believe this bar only has the bare minimum of carbs. So I rate it 9 out of 10.
- Cookies And Cream (8.5/10) - This variant has the same soft consistency as the previous ones and although it may sounds unrealistic to some, there really is a trace of cream from the bar, as the name suggests. And of course you can tell the cookies too, as the bar contains whole pieces. The taste is also good, but perhaps a little sweeter and a little more artificial than the rest for my taste. I therefore give it 8.5 out of 10, but I still recommend trying it.
As you may have noticed, the reviews of all the bars are very positive and choosing the ideal one depends more on your preferences. But whatever you choose, you won't go wrong.
Unfortunately, you'll have to pay extra
As is usual with good-tasting bars, you'll have to pay extra for them. This bar will cost you without the discount, which is a really crazy high price. In this case, it's definitely worth waiting for a discount promotion, because with it you can save and buy more bars.
Final evaluation
Although you can find some flaws in the ingredients, this bar is hard to find competition in terms of taste. Personally, I think it's a good investment because it offers a great compromise between ingredients and taste, as it really does enjoyand at the same time you won't disrupt your diet with extra calories from simple sugars or some not so suitable additives.
Comparison with competitors
Other expert reviews
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- Czech Virus Protein Bar [review]: the best bars on the market or a big disappointment?
- SmartFuel Protein bar: the bar you have to try! [review]