Protein bars
Robert Irvine's FitCrunch Protein Bar
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains added sugars
- Contains sugar alcohols
- Contains seed oils
- Contains palm oil
Why it scores 23
Robert Irvine's FitCrunch Protein Bar scores 23 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 9 points Saturated fat 17.8 g / 100 g: Very high in saturated fat. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better protein bars
-
Mint Cacao Meal Bar Sans · 3 oz (85 g) Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 75 out of 100 , 52 points higher -
Protein Bar RXBAR · 1.83 oz/52 g Less saturated fat · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 65 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Blueberry RXBAR RXBAR · 52 g Less saturated fat · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 64 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Wild Blueberry IQ Bar · 1.6 oz/45 g No non-nutritive sweeteners · No added sugars Score 69 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Multi-Pack - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Lemon Coconut, Peanut Butter Chocolate Simply Protein Less saturated fat · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 63 out of 100 , 40 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
FitCrunch Protein Bar
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Chocolate (sweetened, ingredient) minus 7.5 points
- Milk protein concentrate / isolate minus 1.5 points
- Palm kernel oil minus 1.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 1.5 points
- Maltitol minus 0.5 points
- Sunflower lecithin minus 0.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 0.5 points
- Soybean oil minus 0.5 points
- Palm oil minus 0.5 points
- Soy lecithin minus 0.5 points
- Stevia (steviol glycosides) minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 6.7 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Saturated fat 17.8 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Salt 0.6 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Energy 533 kcal / 100 g minus 3 points
- Fiber 4.4 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 35.6 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 77 = 23
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in fat and saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [20]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 533 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 33.3 g |
| Saturated fat | 17.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22.2 g |
| Sugars | 6.7 g |
| Added sugars | 4.4 g |
| Fiber | 4.4 g |
| Protein | 35.6 g |
| Salt | 0.6 g |
Serving: 1 Bar (45 g)
Ingredients
- Peanut Butter (peanuts, salt)
- Milk Protein Isolate
- Chocolate Flavored Confectionary Coating (palm kernel oil, sugar, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, maltitol, alkalized cocoa powder, sunflower lecithin, sucralose, natural flavors)
- Wheat Wafers (pastry flour, soybean oil, sodium bicarbonate)
- Palm Oil
- Whey Protein Crisps (whey protein concentrate, tapioca starch)
- Peanut Flavored Confectionery Coating (palm kernel oil, maltitol, peanut flour, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, salt, soy lecithin, sucralose) (moderate concern)
- Peanut Oil
- Soy Lecithin
- Salt
- Steviol Glycosides (stevia extract)
Label text, as published
Peanut Butter (peanuts, salt), Milk Protein Isolate, Chocolate Flavored Confectionary Coating (palm kernel oil, sugar, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, maltitol, alkalized cocoa powder, sunflower lecithin, sucralose, natural flavors), Wheat Wafers (pastry flour, soybean oil, sodium bicarbonate), Palm Oil, Whey Protein Crisps (whey protein concentrate, tapioca starch), Peanut Flavored Confectionery Coating (palm kernel oil, maltitol, peanut flour, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, salt, soy lecithin, sucralose), Peanut Oil, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Steviol Glycosides (stevia extract). ©20 Pitts 10% Com For Ma Lea 211 Tal
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Peanuts, Soy, Wheat
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-free
- Not palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More protein bars on GoodSwap
-
Iq Bar 18 Protein Bar Variety Pack IQ Bar · 816 g Seed-oil free Score 97 out of 100 Excellent -
Protein Bars RXBAR Score 99 out of 100 Excellent -
MUSH minis Double Chocolate Chip Mush · 1.2 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 15 out of 100 Bad -
Nut Butter & Oat RXBAR · 19 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 23 out of 100 Poor -
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Flavored Protein Bar Quest · 8.5 oz/240 g Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains sugar alcoholsSeed-oil free Score 48 out of 100 Okay
More from Robert Irvine's
Sources
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Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance
“As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”
doi.org
-
“Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”
doi.org
-
“EFSA’s experts concluded that the sweetener sucralose (E 955) continues to be safe for consumers for its currently authorised uses as a food additive.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”
who.int
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods
“The highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters) were found in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.4 (foods with more than 10 % added polyols)
“‘excessive consumption may produce laxative effects’.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
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21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org