Sue Mosebar

Supreme Protein Bar Supremely Delicious

Product Review by Executive Editor Sue Mosebar

When a co-worker, Shawn, handed me a Carmel Nut Chocolate Supreme Protein Bar, saying, "You've got to try this," I admit, I was more than a little skeptical.

I've tasted my share of bad nutrition bars. With chemical after tastes, dry as sand textures, often followed by... let's just say, embarrassing side effects. I didn't immediately reach for the bar. And a bar that claims to be high in protein immediately puts me on my guard.

"No, seriously," he said. "These are really good. And they keep you full for a long time. They taste just like a candy bar."

"I don't eat candy bars," I said, raising an eyebrow.

He laughed. "Well, these are way better than candy bars when it comes to nutrition."

Because I know Shawn is nearly as picky as I am, I reluctantly picked up the bar and started looking at the ingredients. Starting with 30 grams of quality protein—that is, whey protein isolate and concentrate, followed by milk protein isolate. Well, we're off to a good start, I thought. Plus, the rest of the ingredients seemed to lack the usual scary stuff you find in some bars. No high fructose corn syrup. No hydrogenated fats. No aspartame or other artificial sweeteners. Yet it contains only four grams of sugar. Another plus—these bars contain some quality fats, including flaxseed oil and coconut oil.

I did wonder about the sugar alcohols. You see, I'm sensitive to them and didn't want to be stuck at home alone the rest of the evening—with even my husband and son refusing to be in the same room with me.

"I wondered the same thing," shared Shawn. "But I experienced none of those kinds of side effects."

This was better than a candy bar! It was sweet and delicious, with peanuts and a tasty caramel filling.

"Ummm... well, okay. I'll give it a try," I said. After all, we had just been in a long meeting, and I was hungry!

The first thing I realized immediately was that Shawn was right. This was better than a candy bar! It was sweet and delicious, with peanuts and a tasty caramel filling. But it was also amazingly filling. I often joke with my husband because most nutrition bars act like an appetizer for me—making me even hungrier after I've finished eating them. But this one stuck with me, leaving me, dare I say, satisfied?

Okay, so it was really tasty, but I knew the real test was to come. How would my belly react?

I waited. Thirty minutes later, and... nothing. I felt good. I still wasn't hungry, and no side effects. Maybe it hadn't been long enough?

I waited some more. Two hours later, I still felt good. What? No gas? No bloating? How can this be?

So I started looking into the sugar alcohols contained in the Supreme Protein Bar. Maltitol, it turns out, is different from the usual sugar alcohols because the body can actually break it down and absorb it. So while it contains fewer calories, it still sweetens the bar but doesn't leave you bloated and gassy.

I still believe whole foods are the best source of nutrition. And that will always be my first choice. But when I'm faced with a hard deadline, am stuck away from my kitchen too long, or have simply forgotten to eat, I now keep these bars in my pantry, desk, and glove compartment for a delicious, filling meal replacement. And every time, I'm surprised because the taste is still as decadent as that first yummy bite.

I give the new Supreme Protein Bar an enthusiastic "two thumbs up" and highly recommend that you try one or two... or three!

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