GoodSwap Get notified
Elevation Functional Protein Bar Golden Vanilla Cream
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Protein bars

Elevation Functional Protein Bar Golden Vanilla Cream

Excellent out of 100 High confidence
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains sugar alcohols
  • Contains palm oil
  • Seed-oil free
  • Contains whole grains
Get GoodSwap

Why it scores 81

Elevation Functional Protein Bar Golden Vanilla Cream scores 81 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Soy protein isolate / concentrate: An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info
  3. Maltitol: 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. Regulatory

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

The Receipt

Functional Protein Bar Golden Vanilla Cream

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Soy protein isolate / concentrate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Maltitol
    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. [5][6]
  • Palm oil
    Strong About half saturated fat; WHO recommends keeping saturated fat to 10% of energy or less. [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][4]
  • Sunflower lecithin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • 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][2]
  • Glycerin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Whey protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Milk protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Palm kernel oil
    Strong About half saturated fat; WHO recommends keeping saturated fat to 10% of energy or less. [7][8][9]
  • Soy lecithin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Guar gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
subtotal−19
TOTAL 81Excellent

100 − 19 = 81

GTIN 04061462138294 · 2026-08-10

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy431 kcal
Fat10 g
Saturated fat4 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates24 g
Sugars4 g
Fiber2 g
Protein18 g
Salt0.5 g

Serving: 1 bar (58 g)

Ingredients

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

soy protein crisp, isolated soy protein, tapioca starch, maltitol, peanut butter, peanuts, vanilla cookie crumb, buckwheat flour, rice flour, maltitol, palm oil, oat flour, natural flavor, salt, sodium bicarbonate, sunflower lecithin, stevia glycoside, glycerin, whey protein concentrate, milk protein, pasteurized cow's milk, white confectionery, sugar, palm kernel oil, nonfat dry milk, whole milk powder, whey powder, palm oil, soy lecithin, vanilla, peanuts, chocolate confectionery, sugar, palm kernel oil, cocoa powder, whey powder, nonfat dry milk, soy lecithin, vanilla, palm oil, guar gum, salt, omega 3 oil, MCT oil, medium chain triglyceride, natural flavor

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Peanuts, Soy, Gluten

  • Not vegan
  • Not gluten-free
  • Not palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest protein bars in the US

More from Elevation

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. 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

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods

    European Food Safety Authority · May 3, 2016 · Agency assessment

    “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

  9. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food

    European Union (Official Journal) · Apr 25, 2023 · Law

    “Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  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