Yesterday after work, I visited Spar to explore new brand ranges and found the Quest Chocolate Brownie. To my surprise, I stumbled upon it as I often see it promoted by popular Instagram profiles. Finding it in South Africa was unexpected. I decided to take it to work today as a midday snack, and now I have something exciting to share.
The chocolate brownie flavour boasts 20 grams of protein 4 grams net carbs and 1 gram of sugar added as an impactful sweetener. The red packaging has an enticing brownie picture which gives hope to flavours to enjoy. If you know me, you know that I love chocolate anything, especially cakes and brownies.
Ingredients And Nutritional Value
The Quest Chocolate Brownie Protein Bar I found is remarkably low in calories, boasting only 170 calories. Additionally, it stands out for its low carb content at just 4 grams, making it one of the lowest carb options available. Its protein content, a crucial aspect of the protein bar, is at a minimum of 20 grams. Furthermore, with natural flavors and only 1 gram of sugar, the carb and fat content remains low at 6 grams. Its simple protein blend consists of milk protein isolate and protein isolate, along with almonds, natural fluids, sea salt, and a touch of alkali processing.
Erythritol, stevia and sucralose much like in the chocolate chip cookie dough flavour are sugar substitutes added as sweeteners that are low in calories but high in sweetness.
Effectiveness And Quality
The protein bar’s “minimum” protein content of 20 grams is adequate for muscle repair and recovery in a serving. This makes it a top choice in the protein bar category, comparable to the Grenade Carb Killas due to its high protein and low carb ratio, with only 4 grams of net carbs. This bar is especially beneficial for those aiming for weight loss, as it boasts the lowest calorie count among the protein bars that I have reviewed, at just 170 kcal.
Taste and Mixability
The flavor profile of this protein bar is quite enjoyable, featuring a straightforward chocolate brownie flavor without any coating. Its consistent taste and texture prevent it from being bland. Although it lacks the creativity and explosiveness found in many protein bars. They seamlessly blend different flavors into each bite with chocolate coatings on top of the ingredients that make the core of the protein bar.
Potential Side Effects of Quest Protein Bar
Sugar alcohols are sugar substitutes that are used to minimize the carbs and calories that you get from table sugar, but maintaining the sweetness of a product. They can lead to digestive issues like bloating, gas or diarrhea. Milk and whey protein are also ingredients that can have the above effects depending on how your body reacts.
The Quest Chocolate Brownie Protein Bar also contains milk, almonds and soy which are allergens. They are also made in a facility that processes tree nuts and wheat which are also allergens. These are things to be aware of before making these protein bars part of your diet.
Value for Money
The Quest Chocolate Brownie Protein Bar was available at Clicks Pharmacies for R41 per bar. Alternatively, a 12-pack is priced at R414.54 on iHerb, averaging about R35 per bar. Personally, I find any protein bar exceeding R30 to be quite expensive, even R25 seems steep. While I appreciate the simplicity and quality of the Quest Protein Bar, its American brand origin may contribute to its higher price tag. Therefore, I view it as an occasional purchase rather than a regular buy.
Conclusion and Rating
I’m glad I had found another overseas supplement brand which you could try when you’re feeling adventurous. I really appreciate the simplicity of this protein bar with its appearance and ingredients, while being of high quality in its macro content. I give it a rating of 8/10 because of its high protein content per serving and flavour being one that enjoy because of my bias towards chocolate cakes and brownies.
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