Protein Energy Bars
Maxx Bar Chocolate Sea Salt
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- High in salt
- Contains seed oils
- No additives
Why it scores 56
Maxx Bar Chocolate Sea Salt scores 56 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 11 points Sugars 26.9 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong
- minus 9 points Salt 2.5 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better chocolate bars
-
Caramel Double Chocolate Crunch Elevation Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 94 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Triple chocolate coffee Great Value Less sugar · Less salt Score 87 out of 100 , 31 points higher -
Mixed Berry Date-Sweetened Chocolate Spring & Mulberry Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 23 points higher -
Total Blackout Alter Eco · 2.65 oz Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 79 out of 100 , 23 points higher -
Date-sweetened chocolate Spring & Mulberry Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 23 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Maxx Bar Chocolate Sea Salt
Ingredients
- Sunflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 26.9 g / 100 g minus 11 points
- Saturated fat 3.8 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 2.5 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 404 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 7.7 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 44 = 56
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, sugars and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [11]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 404 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 19.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 3.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 42.3 g |
| Sugars | 26.9 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 7.7 g |
| Protein | 23.1 g |
| Salt | 2.5 g |
Serving: 1 bar (52 g)
Ingredients
- DATES
- EGG WHITES
- ALMONDS
- CASHEW BUTTER (CASHEWS, SUNFLOWER OIL)
- CHOCOLATE
- COCOA
- WATER
- SEA SALT
- NATURAL FLAVOR
Label text, as published
DATES, EGG WHITES, ALMONDS, CASHEW BUTTER (CASHEWS, SUNFLOWER OIL), CHOCOLATE, COCOA, WATER, SEA SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR
Allergens and diets
Contains: Tree nuts, Egg
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More protein energy bars on GoodSwap
-
Iq Bar Chocolate Sea Salt IQ Bar · 1.6 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains non-nutritive sweetenersSeed-oil free Score 58 out of 100 Okay -
CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER protein bar Pure Protein · 50 g Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugars Score 28 out of 100 Poor -
Blueberry RXBAR Ultra-processedHigh in sugarNo additives Score 64 out of 100 Good -
Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Flavored Protein Bar Ready Clean · 9.35 oz/265 g Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsContains whole grains Score 15 out of 100 Bad -
FitCrunch Robert Irvine's · 46 g Not permitted in some countriesUltra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 13 out of 100 Bad -
Multi-Pack - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Lemon Coconut, Peanut Butter Chocolate Simply Protein Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains seed oils Score 63 out of 100 Good
Sources
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“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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
“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
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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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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“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