Do you want to make every day feel like a cheat day? Well, BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is one protein bar which can help you in that regard, as you’ll find out in this review.
Table of Contents
About BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is the “Decadent-Taste, High-Protein Bar” which is “a serious combination of incredible taste and unique texture without compromising your nutrition,” its official website. Formula notes:
- Twenty grams of protein per serving. Equal to 40 percent of the daily value.
- Dairy Protein Blend. Combines fast- and slow-absorbing protein for better anabolic response.
- Awesome taste. Many customers say it’s easy on the taste buds. We agree wholeheartedly.
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR Supplement Facts (Chocolate Crunch) |
||
Serving Size: 1 Bar (57 g) Servings Per Box: 1 |
||
Nutrient | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value |
Calories | 230 | |
Total Fat | 7 g | 9% |
Saturated Fat | 5 g | 25% |
Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% |
Sodium | 200 mg | 9% |
Total Carbohdyrate | 23 g | 8% |
Total Sugars | 2 g | |
Sugar Alcohol | 6 g | 51% |
Protein | 20 g | 40% |
Calcium | 160 mg | 10% |
Iron | 3 mg | 15% |
Potassium | 220 mg | 4% |
Ingredients: Dairy Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Concentrate), Isomalto-oligosaccharide, Soy Protein Isolate, Unsweeteend Chocolate, Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel and Palm Oil, Shea Oil), Polydextrose, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Maltitol Syrup, Water, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Low Fat Cocoa Powder, Cocoa Powder (Processed With Alkali), Calcium Carbonate, Dried Egg White, Almonds, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Agar, Sucralose, Tocopherols, Sunflower Lecithin. | ||
Directions: For healthy adults, consume enough protein to meet your daily protein requirement with a combination of high-protein foods and protein supplements throughout the day as part of a balanced diet and exercise program. |
Unapologetically Unique. Insanely Irresistible.
We’ve reviewed BSN SYNTHA-6, a well-known protein supplement, before. This bodybuilding product not only has a solid 22 grams of protein per serving, but it also has a stellar Protein Matrix which includes five kinds of protein (whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, calcium caseinate, micellar casein, and milk protein isolate).
When you want to build serious muscle mass and remain in an anabolic state all day long, that’s the kind of protein blend you want. Harnessing the powers of fast-, medium-, and slow-absorbing proteins is the way to go. This combo is guaranteed to help you achieve your fitness goals.
If BSN SYNTHA-6 can help you do that, there’s no reason to believe it’s protein bar counterpart can’t. Make way for BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR, the so-called “Decadent-Taste, High-Protein Bar,” per its official website.
The manufacturer proudly says this protein bar is “a serious combination of incredible taste and unique texture without compromising your nutrition,” per the same source.
The company’s webpage also says BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is “an ultra-convenient, protein-packed snack between meals, after your workout, or whenever you crave a guilt-free bite on the go.”
Here’s the kicker: this protein bar will “make every day taste like a cheat day,” its official website. We like that. Sticking to your nutrition plan is not an easy task. You need a bit of a break to stay on track. A cheat day (or cheat meal) will do just that. When a bodybuilding product tastes like a cheat meal minus the crappy ingredients, customers will surely take notice.
The likes of MuscleTech NITRO-TECH CRUNCH were a disappointment, to say the least. Let’s hope BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR will exceed everybody’s expectations and give excellent protein bars such as Quest Bar a run for their money.
Dairy Protein Blend, 20 grams
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR gives you a solid 20 grams of protein per serving, which is equal to 40 percent of the daily value (a minimum daily value of 15 percent is high). Let’s see how its protein content stacks up against the competition:
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR (Chocolate Crunch) | Quest Bar (Double Chocolate Chunk) | MuscleTech NITRO-TECH CRUNCH (Cookies & Cream) | |
Protein per serving | 20 grams | 20 grams | 22 grams |
Daily value | 40 percent | 40 percent | 44 percent |
While MuscleTech NITRO -TECH CRUNCH has several glaring chinks (high sodium and saturated fat content, fillers, etc.), it emerges victorious in terms of protein content at 22 per serving (44 percent of the daily value). Granted, it’s not the most among protein bars, but it makes a statement, nonetheless.
This doesn’t mean BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR’s protein content is below average – not by a long shot. In fact, we’re confident 20 grams of protein per serving will help you muscle up, shorten your recovery time, fill those nutrition gaps, and meet your daily protein requirements.
According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition (via NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov), “An acute exercise stimulus, particularly resistance exercise, and protein ingestion both stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and are synergistic when protein consumption occurs before or after resistance exercise.”
On that note, if you feel like munching on a tasty treat before or after a hard workout, BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR should be up to the task. It should be a good alternative to the traditional protein shake many bodybuilding enthusiasts consume.
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR’s Dairy Protein Blend has three components – whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and milk protein concentrate.
Whey protein concentrate (WPC) is typically 70 to 85 percent protein. It has a higher fat, lactose, and carb content than other kinds of whey. However, it has more immunoglobulin content. These antibodies help shore up the immune system. Plus, WPC is the cheapest and tastiest kind of whey protein on the market.
As for whey protein isolate (WPI), it is 90 to 95 percent protein. It also has a lower fat, lactose, and carb content than its WPC counterpart. Ergo, WPI is the better choice for individuals who want to muscle up and lean out. It’s also the better option for people with lactose issues.
On the flip side, WPI tends to have a bitter taste. It’s also more expensive than WPC. These are the results of the extra microfiltration process WPI undergoes.
For its part, milk protein concentrate is 80 percent casein protein and 20 percent whey protein. Long story short, if you want to remain in an anabolic state longer, this kind of protein is the way to go. Harnessing the powers of a slow-absorbing protein (casein) and a fast-absorbing protein (whey) should help you build and preserve serious muscle mass.
Take it from researchers who published a study on the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition on June 8, 2017. They said, “Formulated products containing nine grams of milk protein would be expected to exert a stimulatory effect on muscle anabolism after resistance exercise.”
No wonder you can also find milk protein in many post-workout supplements – it’ll trigger muscle growth after a grueling training session. Scientific studies also reveal milk protein helps improve metabolic health by increasing lean muscle mass. Not only that, but you’ll also get a decent calcium fix which helps strengthen bones, regulate blood pressure levels, and improve cardiovascular function.
In a nutshell, BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR’s Dairy Protein Blend sets itself apart from most protein bars because of its slow- and fast-absorbing components. Many protein bars include whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. The inclusion of milk protein isolate should help you reap more fitness benefits anytime and anywhere.
Intangibles
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR has 240 calories per serving, which is just right about on the industry average (Quest Bar is the better option at just 190 calories per bar).
The manufacturer also keeps the cholesterol level in check at just five percent of the daily value (a maximum daily value of five percent is low). Fat and sodium content are neither high nor low at nine percent of the daily value each.
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR may contain 23 grams of carbohydrates per serving, but don’t let that deceive you. This is equal to eight percent of the daily value, which is not sky-high by any means. It can still complement any low-carb nutrition plan. If you scour supplement store shelves, most protein bars’ carb content is at par with this product’s.
As for the sugar content, total sugar amounts to two grams per bar. One serving also yields six grams of sugar alcohol, “which may have a role in weight management” and for individuals with blood sugar issues, per the International Food Information Council Foundation’s official website.
Some people have doubts about sugar alcohols, since they have unknown long-term health benefits. However, they easily get the nod over artificial sweeteners such as sucralose. This synthetic ingredient has ties to obesity. Unfortunately, it’s also in BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR.
This product yields a decent amount of calcium (10 percent of the daily value) due to its milk protein concentrate component. Like we said, this bodes well for your bones and heart.
Surprisingly, BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is a solid source of iron at 15 percent of the daily value. This mineral has the following key health benefits:
- Plays a key role in hemoblogin formation
- Improves sleep quality
- Regulates body temperature
- Improves muscle contraction
- Enhances cognitive function
If you want a protein bar with solid iron levels, BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is your best bet. It easily trumps the likes of Quest Bar and MuscleTech NITR-TECH CRUNCH, which both have a measly four percent of the daily value for iron.
On the other hand, the one downside which leaps out at us is BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR’s high saturated fat levels (25 percent of the daily value). The American Heart Association’s official website advises the public to limit its saturated fat intake for better long-term cardiovascular function.
Nowadays, it’s hard to find a protein bar which has low saturated fat content. If you want to keep it in check, try BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR’s Peanut Butter Crunch flavor, which has the lowest saturated fat level among the six flavors at 18 percent of the daily value. Still, that’s a bit too much for our liking.
Let’s check out the B5 tale of the tape for protein bars:
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR (Chocolate Crunch) | Quest Bar (Double Chocolate Chunk) | MuscleTech NITRO-TECH CRUNCH (Cookies & Cream) | |
Calories | 230 | 180 | 240 |
Total Fat | Seven grams | Seven grams | Seven grams |
Saturated Fat | Five grams | 2.5 grams | Four grams |
Carbs | 23 grams | 24 grams | 24 grams |
Sugars | Two grams | One gram | Five grams |
Sodium | 200 mg | 200 mg | 350 mg |
MuscleTech NITRO-CRUNCH may have more protein content, but Quest Bar wins the battle of the intangibles. However, if you want a protein bar which helps support your lean-muscle-building plans with the least amount of sodium, BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is an excellent choice.
Let’s check out the formula ingredients:
- Calories, 230: BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR’s 230 calories per serving is at par with many competitors. If you want to establish a caloric deficit, Quest Bar (whose Double Chocolate Chunk flavor has only 180 calories per serving) is the better option.
- Total fat, 7 g: You’d normally find this much fat in many protein bars in supplement store shelves. Seven grams per serving yields nine percent of the daily value for fats, which is neither high nor low.
- Saturated fat, 5 g: Without a doubt, this is BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR’s biggest chink. Five grams of saturated fats per serving is equal to 25 percent of the daily value, which is high. Try limiting your saturated fat intake for a healthier heart.
- Cholesterol, 15 mg: The manufacturer keeps BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR’s cholesterol levels in check at a measly five percent of the daily value. We like that.
- Sodium, 200 mg: This protein bar’s sodium level is neither high nor low at nine percent of the daily value.
- Total carbohydrate, 23 g: Twenty-three grams of carbs per bar is also neither high nor low at eight percent of the daily value. This much can still complement your low-carb nutrition plan.
- Total sugars, 2 g: BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR’s two grams of sugars per serving isn’t a high amount by any stretch.
- Sugar alcohol, 6 g: Some experts believe sugar alcohols help improve weight management and regulate blood sugar levels. However, their long-term health benefits remain uncertain.
- Protein, 20 g: BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR has a solid 20 grams of protein per serving, which is equal to 40 percent of the daily value. Its Dairy Protein Blend harnesses the powers of slow- and fast-absorbing proteins (whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and milk protein isolate) for better results in and out of the gym.
- Calcium, 160 mg: While this protein bar’s 10 percent of the daily value for calcium is not high, it can still help strengthen bones, regulate blood pressure levels, and boost heart health.
- Iron, 3 mg: Clearly, BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is the king of iron content among protein bars at a solid 15 percent of the daily value (competitors can only muster four percent of the daily value or so). Too much supplemental iron may have detrimental effects, so consult your doctor before consuming this product.
- Potassium, 220 mg: This product is not a significant source of potassium at just four percent of the daily value.
Formula Analysis
Many tout Quest Bar as the best protein bar in the business. However, BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR, the “Decadent-Taste, High-Protein Bar,” is fast becoming contender. With a few tweaks, it could find itself at the top of the protein bar rankings down the line.
We like its solid 20 grams of protein per serving. This represents a high 40 percent of the daily value, which many protein bars also have. Like we said, that much should help you muscle up, shorten your recovery time, and meet your daily protein requirements.
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR’s Dairy Protein Blend makes it stand out from the rest of the pack. You can’t beat a triple-threat combo of whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), and milk protein concentrate. Many competitors mainly rely on WPC and WPI. This one doesn’t – consuming slow- and fast-absorbing protein is a sure-fire anabolic recipe for consumers.
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is also a decent source of calcium at 10 percent of the daily value. It’s an even better source of iron at 15 percent of the daily value (check with your doctor first if you’re iffy about this as too much supplemental iron may have side effects).
We also like this protein bar’s low cholesterol content (five percent of the daily value). As for the amount of carbohydrates, it isn’t so high (eight percent of the daily value) – it can still complement any low-carb nutrition plan.
We also commend the manufacturer for excellent transparency – it reveals all of the ingredient amounts. You won’t find any shady proprietary blends in BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR. We give that a huge thumbs up.
Customers have also raved about this protein bar – they say it’s tasty and filling. In fact, some of them say it tastes better than the likes of Quest Bar. We agree BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is big on flavor. Does it taste better than Quest Bar? It’s a tough call, honestly. They’re both tasty and filling.
As great as BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is, it’s not a perfect protein bar. The biggest downer here is its saturated fat content: 25 percent of the daily value is a bit too high for our liking. Limiting saturated fat intake helps boost cardiovascular health. The manufacturer could’ve toned it down a bit more.
While there should be no issue with small amounts of sucralose, it would’ve been better if BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR didn’t have it at all. Health experts have flagged this as a synthetic ingredient. We’re hoping this protein bar follows in the footsteps of Quest Bar, which has stevia-sweetened alternatives (stevia is a natural sweetener which helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels).
Nevertheless, BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR has made a resounding statement. The manufacturer wasn’t kidding when it said this protein bar is “insanely irresistible.” Better yet, you can experience its unique marketing tag line “Every Day Will Taste Like A Cheat Day”) anytime and anywhere. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR Benefits
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is “an ultra-convenient, protein-packed snack between meals, after your workout or whenever you crave a guilt-free bite on the go,” per its official website.
Who Takes It?
The manufacturer intended BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR for healthy and active individuals who want to increase muscle mass, shorten recovery time, fill nutrition gaps, meet their daily protein requirements, and achieve their daily fitness goals.
Any Side Effects?
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR contains 25 percent of the daily value for saturated fat, an amount which could be detrimental to long-term heart health.
This product also contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener which has links to obesity.
If these, or any other ingredient, make you feel doubtful, please consult your physician before buying BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR.
BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR Review Summary
Pros
- Twenty grams of protein per serving. Helps build muscle mass, meet daily protein requirements, and fill nutrition gaps.
- Dairy Protein Blend. Combines fast- and slow-absorbing protein for a better anabolic response.
- Solid source of iron. Fifteen percent of the daily value.
- Low in cholesterol. A measly five percent of the daily value.
- Excellent transparency. Manufacturer breaks down all of the ingredient amounts.
- Great reputation. Customers have sung this product’s praises.
- Awesome taste. Arguably this protein bar’s best attribute.
- Flavor options. Comes in delectable Chocolate Crunch, Mocha Latte, Peanut Butter Crunch, S’Mores, Salted Toffee Pretzel, and Vanilla Marshmallow flavors.
Cons
- High saturated fat content. Twenty-five percent of the daily value.
- Sucralose. Artificial sweetener which has links to obesity.
Pricing & Where to Buy
- 1 Bar: $1.99
- 1 Box of 12: $19.99
- Available online and in retail
Final Word on BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR
Watch out Quest Bar: BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR is nipping at your heels. Many protein bars claim they’re the real deal, when in fact, they’re not. BSN PROTEIN QUEST BAR isn’t one of those pretenders. The supplement facts speak volumes.
We highly recommend you buy BSN PROTEIN CRISP BAR and make every day a cheat day. It’s (almost) guiltless indulgence at its best.
[yasr_overall_rating]
Leave a Reply