Product Review: Quest Protein Bar - Apple Pie

In my never-ending "Quest" (ha!!) to find the perfect protein source, I stumbled upon these bars.  I had read a lot of reviews and posts about them over at Obesity Help.  I thought, well, if so many people like these, they must be good.  Of course, that same line of thinking is why I have a tub of Unjury collecting dust in my kitchen.  But I digress.  This bar was a much less expensive investment to try.

First of all, I love apple pie.  Cold, room temperature, heated...I don't discriminate.  I love it.  So I was the most excited to try this flavor.  I have a few other flavors to try, but this one...this one was gonna be money, I just knew it.

Apparently, there are only 6 non-fiber grams of carbs in these bars.  I still don't have a firm grasp on carbs -vs- net carbs, and in My Fitness Pal, I count all carbs.  But, I do feel better knowing that truly, I did not consume 24g of carbs in eating this bar.

The first thing that I noticed about the bar is how dense it is.  It's really chewy, and well, dense.  I've heard that you can microwave it for a few seconds and it's supposed to be heavenly.  That's something I'll have to try next time.  I was already logged into work on my lap top and honestly, too lazy to get up and heat it.  Besides, I was enjoying it as is.  So, it's dense and chewy.  But then, oh.my.gosh...yes!  Real pieces of apple!  It was a nice change from the typical protein bar that's coated in a nasty-ass faux chocolate.  There's none of that here.  

This bar gets a 9 out of 10.  For sure.  This will be my go-to bar of choice.  It was refreshing with the apple, and you definitely cannot argue with 20g of protein.  Very good flavor, no funky smell, no funky aftertaste.  This one is definitely a winner and will for sure be going into my protein bar rotation.

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Product Review: Power Crunch Protein Energy Bar

I really struggle with the protein some days.  I have issues with the protein shakes.  The main issue is they make me gag.  I just can't get them down.  Once I smell them, it's all over.  And I know the trick about drinking out of a cup with a lid so you don't smell it.  But let's be honest...you smell it.  The other problem I have is that my taste buds change literally day to day.  I bought a tub of Unjury after my surgery, and drank it two or three times with no problem what so ever.  Now?  I cannot even stand to look at my tub, because the taste just nauseates me soooooo badly.  

So, I struggle with getting in enough protein.  I decided to give protein bars a go, and see if maybe I can replace a meal or snack with one of these, to boost my protein a bit.  Today my son and I made a wee trip to the Vitamin Shoppe to suss out their selection of protein bars.  I walked out with 10 bars to try, and yes, I'm going to be one of those people who writes about them here.  

First on deck?  This baby.  Power Crunch protein energy bar, in peanut butter fudge flavor.  The package makes it looks really delicious; sort of reminds me of a nutty bar, and those things are like crack to me.  Soooo flippin good.  There's just something about chocolate, peanut butter and wafers that hits the sweet spot.  

Obviously, that's what appealed the most to me; the look of the bar on the package and the advertised flavors.  I've gotta tell you, it's certainly no nutty bar, but I don't hate it.  There is ZERO funky protein smell, so no stomach turning feelings here.  That's huge.  The flavors and texture are nice.  There is real peanut butter, at least according to the ingredient label, but I feel like that flavors gets lost by the faux chocolate coating on the bar.  The bar is nice and crispy and it breaks down into a nice texture while you chew.  Despite it not being real chocolate, or lacking some strong peanut butter flavor, this bar is pretty good.  I would definitely eat it again, and that is saying a lot.

Overall, I'd have to rate this bar a 7 out of 10.  It's not something I'd crave, necessarily, but it did the job.  I got 13 grams of protein which isn't exactly high, it did what I needed it to do...give me a little boost.  I will definitely be trying the other flavors that this bar comes in.  Those flavors include:  Triple Chocolate, French Vanilla Creme, Peanut Butter Creme, Cookies and Creme and Wildberry Creme.

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