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Nick's Salty Peanut Protein Bar
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Protein bars

Nick's Salty Peanut Protein Bar

76 oz

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in saturated fat
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains sugar alcohols
  • Contains seed oils
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Why it scores 48

Nick's Salty Peanut Protein Bar scores 48 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. 7 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: bulking agent, emulsifier, flavor enhancer, flavoring, industrial protein, non-nutritive sweetener and sugar alcohol (polyol). Emerging
  3. Erythritol: A 2023 study linked higher blood erythritol to cardiovascular events and found it increased clotting activity; long-term safety studies are warranted. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

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The Receipt

Salty Peanut Protein Bar

START100

Ingredients

  • Erythritol
    Strong A 2023 study linked higher blood erythritol to cardiovascular events and found it increased clotting activity; long-term safety studies are warranted. [1][2]
  • Milk protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [3]
  • Whey protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [3]
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [3]
  • Collagen
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [3]
  • Soluble corn fiber (resistant dextrin)
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [3]
  • Xylitol
    Regulatory Large amounts can have a laxative effect; the EU requires a label statement above 10% added polyols and the US for some polyols above set intakes. [4][5]
  • Inulin (chicory root fiber)
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [3]
  • Sorbitol
    Regulatory Large amounts can have a laxative effect; the EU requires a label statement above 10% added polyols and the US for some polyols above set intakes. [4][5]
  • Vegetable oil (unspecified)
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [6][7][8][9]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [10][3]
  • Sunflower lecithin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [3]
  • Stevia (steviol glycosides)
    Emerging WHO (2023) recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight (conditional recommendation); US dietary guidelines advise limiting them. [11][12]
subtotal−20.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [3]
  • 7 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: bulking agent, emulsifier, flavor enhancer, flavoring, industrial protein, non-nutritive sweetener and sugar alcohol (polyol). [3]
subtotal−26

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 9 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in saturated fat. [13]
  • Salt 0.6 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [14]
  • Energy 360 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [12]
  • Fiber 14 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [12]
  • Protein 30 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [12]
subtotal−6
TOTAL 48Okay

100 − 52.5 = 47.5 → 48

Can’t score above 79. High in fat and saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [15]

GTIN 00850009682307 · 2025-11-05

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy360 kcal
Fat20 g
Saturated fat9 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates38 g
Sugars4 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber14 g
Protein30 g
Salt0.6 g

Serving: 1 bar (50 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

MILK PROTEIN BLEND (MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, HYDROLYZED CASEIN), DRY ROASTED PEANUTS (12%), HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, POLYDEXTROSE, COCOA BUTTER, ERYTHRITOL, SOLUBLE CORN FIBER, VEGETABLE GLYCEROL, MILK, EGG WHITES, XYLITOL, CHOCOLATE LIQUOR, SKIM MILK, CHICORY ROOT FIBER, UNSALTED BUTTER FROM SWEET CREAM, SORBITOL, VEGETABLE OILS (COCONUT, SHEANUT), NATURAL FLAVORS, SALT, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Soy, Egg

May contain: Sesame

  • Not vegan
  • Not vegetarian
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest protein bars in the US

Sources

  1. The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk

    Nature Medicine · March 2023 · Peer-reviewed

    “Our findings reveal that erythritol is both associated with incident MACE risk and fosters enhanced thrombosis. Studies assessing the long-term safety of erythritol are warranted.”

    doi.org

  2. Re-evaluation of erythritol (E 968) as a food additive (plain language summary)

    European Food Safety Authority · Dec 20, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “In all groups of people, both acute and chronic exposure to erythritol is above the newly set ADI.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  3. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  4. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.4 (foods with more than 10 % added polyols)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 25, 2011 · Law

    “‘excessive consumption may produce laxative effects’.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  5. 21 CFR 184.1835 Sorbitol

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Nov 22, 2016 · Law

    ““Excess consumption may have a laxative effect.””

    ecfr.gov

  6. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  7. Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis

    BMJ · Feb 4, 2013 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  8. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org

  9. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  10. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  11. WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline

    World Health Organization · May 15, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “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

  12. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  13. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  14. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “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

  15. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  16. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  17. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org