QUEST Protein Cookie Review – High-Profile Protein Cookie Underwhelms

If you need a quick protein fix which also helps satisfy your cravings, QUEST Protein Cookie may just be the product for you. This review will give you the lowdown on this highly-touted bodybuilding product.

About QUEST Protein Cookie

QUEST Protein Cookies are “soft-baked, sweet indulgences you can enjoy any time,” per the manufacturer’s official website. Formula notes:

• Fifteen grams of protein per cookie. Combo of milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate.
• Teeming with dietary fiber. Yields a solid 40 percent of the daily value.
• High in fats and saturated fats. Product’s biggest Achilles heel.

Feed Your Cookie Cravings

The great thing about protein supplements is they don’t just complement your workouts, but they also help you achieve your daily nutrition goals and fortify your meal preps. When you include an awesome product such as QUEST Protein Powder in your midday protein shake, it’ll help fill you up, for sure.

Nowadays, munching on a protein bar such as MuscleTech NITRO-TECH CRUNCH is a convenient way of meeting your daily protein requirement. Manufacturers have upped their game in recent years. They have expanded their repertoire. Now, it’s not uncommon to see rows of protein cookies in supplement store shelves.

One such product worth mentioning is QUEST Protein Cookie, which helps you “feed your cookie cravings,” per the manufacturer’s official website.

“Sometimes, you just need to have a cookie. We get it; cravings are a real struggle. That’s why we made Quest Protein Cookies: soft-baked, sweet indulgences you can enjoy any time. But you’ve read enough, reward yourself with a cookie,” per the same source.

QUEST Protein Cookie can help you meet your daily protein requirement, and then some.

There’s the kid in all of us. Even us grown-ups, we crave for the occasional sweet treat to help keep us sane. The manufacturer was spot on: it can be a struggle to stick to your nutritional plan. Thank goodness for products such as QUEST Protein Cookie. With them around, you can achieve your fitness goals and satisfy your taste buds at the same time. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

To give you an idea of QUEST Protein Cookie’s quality, let’s see how it stacks up against the competition:

QUEST Protein Cookie emerges the winner in most of the nutritional categories: it has the least amount of sugar, carbs, and calories. It also has the most amount of dietary fiber. It may not have the most protein content on the market, but its 15 grams of protein per cookie still represents a solid 30 percent of the daily value.

Our first impression: QUEST Protein Cookie is a solid snack alternative for bodybuilding enthusiasts. Its impressive supplement facts speak for themselves.

Protein Blend, 15 grams

QUEST Protein Cookie has a solid 15 grams of protein per serving (one cookie). This represents a respectable 30 percent of the daily value (a value of at least 15 percent is high).

Its Protein Blend features a combination of milk protein isolate (which you can find in protein supplements such as PEScience SELECT Protein) and whey protein isolate. When you break down the former, it yields 80 percent casein protein and 2o percent whey protein. This potent combo of slow- and fast-acting protein helps preserve muscle mass and increase muscle protein synthesis. Moreover, it helps your body remain in an anabolic state longer.

According to the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition’s July 11, 2014 issue (via NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov), “Soluble milk protein (fast-digestible) appeared to significantly reduce muscle fatigue induced by intense resistance exercise.”

The implication: QUEST Protein Cookie’s milk protein isolate component will help keep muscle fatigue at bay after a hard training session at the gym. If you want some guiltless indulgence after a grueling workout, this product fits the bill. It’s also a welcome change from consuming post-workout shakes day in and day out.

The other half of QUEST Protein Cookie’s protein combo is whey protein isolate (WPI), which boasts of a 90 percent protein composition (in contrast, whey protein concentrate is 70 to 85 percent protein). The manufacturer has always put its trust in WPI, and for good reason: it has less lactose, carb, and fat content than its WPC counterpart. Plus, it has a faster absorption rate.

You can also count on WPI to take your workout results to the next level. Take it from the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition’s May 27, 2010 issue which says, “Whey protein isolate supplementation elicited better maintenance of muscle strength in the days following contraction-induced eccentric muscle damage.”

So, not only will QUEST Protein Cookie help you ward off muscle fatigue, but it will also help you maintain strength as well. Who would’ve known a cookie packs such a serious wallop? Don’t underestimate 15 grams of protein per cookie. It may not be the most in the industry, but it can still do the job (especially if you eat two in one sitting).

Other Components

QUEST Protein Cookie’s Double Chocolate Chip flavor also has other key ingredients. These include butter (cream), soluble corn fiber, erythritol, palm oil, cocoa, unsweetened chocolate, calcium caseinate, natural flavors, water, and cocoa butter.

Butter is a traditional favorite. However, it is a source of saturated fats, which is a double-edged sword. Some saturated fats, such as those found in coconut and cocoa butter (another key ingredient of QUEST Protein Cookie).

Don’t go overboard, though: a high saturated fat intake ramps up blood cholesterol levels, which, in turn, may result in cardiovascular issues, per the American Heart Association’s (AHA) official website. The AHA reminds everyone to limit daily saturated fat intake to 13 grams.

Unfortunately, one serving of QUEST Protein Cookie’s Double Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Chip Cookie flavors already yield 10 grams of saturated fat (equal to 50 percent of the daily value). The two other flavors (Oatmeal Raisin and Peanut Butter) have eight grams per serving (40 percent of the daily value).

This isn’t good. In fact, this is QUEST Protein Cookie’s biggest chink. The manufacturer could’ve taken it easy on the saturated fat content.

On the other hand, we love the inclusion of soluble corn fiber. The result: QUEST Protein Cookie’s Double Chocolate Chip flavor has 10 grams of dietary fiber per serving (equal to an impressive 40 percent of the daily value).

The Mayo Clinic’s official website rattles off the benefits of a high-fiber diet:

• Regulates bowel movement
• Promotes healthy cholesterol levels
• Regulates blood sugar levels
• Promotes healthy weight

Somehow, QUEST Protein Cookie’s impressive dietary fiber content offsets the high saturated fat levels. If you want to reap these important health benefits, try snacking on QUEST Protein Cookie.

As for erythritol, it’s a sugar alcohol which manufacturers typically derive from GMO cornstarch (hence its processed nature). You can find this in many protein bars and the like. Experts have linked it to several side effects (overeating, gastrointestinal issues, allergies, etc.). On the flip side, we’re glad it has stevia, a natural sweetener which helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

We particularly like the inclusions of cocoa and calcium caseinate. Experts have linked the former to healthy blood pressure levels and anti-inflammatory properties. As for the latter, a source of all nine essential amino acids (EAAs), it helps ward off muscle protein breakdown.

Long story short, QUEST Protein Cookie’s other components have more pros than cons. All in all, they’re not perfect, but they can still help you achieve your fitness goals and boost your long-term health.

Let’s check out the formula ingredients:

• Calories, 240: One QUEST Protein Cookie’s calorie content is roughly equal to your regular midday or mid-afternoon snack. The good news: it’s not the highest among protein cookies. It should help complement any nutrition goal.
• Calories from fat, 140: Baked goods typically have high fat content. It turns out QUEST Protein Cookie is no different. If you’re monitoring your fat intake, better skip this one.
• Total fat, 16 g: A solitary QUEST Protein Cookie has 16 grams of fats, which is equal to 25 percent of the daily value. This is a high amount. Again, if you’re iffy about bodybuilding products with too much fats, QUEST Protein Cookie is not for you.
• Saturated fat, 10 g: This is, without a doubt, QUEST Protein Cookie’s biggest chink. Its saturated fat content is equal to an astonishing 50 percent of the daily value. This nutrient is a double-edged sword: consuming it in moderation from good sources (such as coconut and cocoa butter) is okay. If you go overboard, it may result in cardiovascular issues. Consult your doctor first if QUEST Protein Cookie’s saturated fat content concerns you.
• Trans fat, 0 g: The kind of fat which you should avoid at all costs – consumption may result in cardiovascular issues. Good thing QUEST Protein Cookie has zero trans fat content.
• Cholesterol, 30 mg: This is equal to 10 percent of the daily value, which is moderate. If you’re monitoring your cholesterol levels, seek your doctor’s advice before buying this product.
• Sodium, 190 mg: QUEST Protein Cookie’s Double Chocolate Chip flavor’s sodium content is equal to eight percent of the daily value, which is bordering on low. For those who are monitoring their sodium intake, five percent of the daily value or lower would have been better.
• Total carbohydrate, 20 g: This product yields seven percent of the daily value for carbs, which isn’t high at all. It can still help complement your low-carb nutrition plan.
• Dietary fiber, 10 g: One of QUEST Protein’s main strengths is its high dietary fiber content, which is equal to an impressive 40 percent of the daily value. This much should help regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
• Sugars, 1 g: QUEST Protein Cookie has just one gram of sugar per serving, which is low. It has stevia, a natural sweetener which helps promote healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Too bad it’s just a minor ingredient.
• Erythritol, 5 g: This is a highly-processed sugar alcohol which experts have linked to several side effects. They also say it’s more of an insecticide component than a sugar substitute. This wasn’t a good move on the manufacturer’s part.
• Protein, 15 g: QUEST Protein Cookie’s Protein Blend features a combination of milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate. The former combines slow-absorbing casein and fast-absorbing whey to help the body remain in an anabolic state longer. As for the latter, it’s “the purest form of protein,” per the manufacturer’s official website.
• Vitamin A, six percent DV: QUEST Protein Cookie’s vitamin A content is equal to six percent of the daily value, which is just so-so.
• Vitamin C, zero percent DV: This product has no vitamin C content whatsoever. If you need a solid vitamin C fix, purchase a big-name multivitamin product instead.
• Calcium, 15 percent DV: This product is a solid source of calcium at 15 percent of the daily value. This mineral helps strengthen bones, regulate blood pressure levels, and boost heart health.
• Iron, 10 percent DV: QUEST Protein Cookie is a decent source of iron at 10 percent of the daily value. This mineral helps produce hemoglobin, improve sleep quality, maintain muscle health, and regulate body temperature.

Formula Analysis

Does QUEST Protein Cookie live up to the hype? To a certain extent, yes. It didn’t blow us away. While it’s an imperfect product, it can still help you in your fitness journey.

First off, the 15 grams of protein per serving is solid. This is equal to an impressive 30 percent of the daily value. If you want to meet your daily protein requirement or replenish your muscles after a hard workout, QUEST Protein Cookie can help. Its protein content may not be the highest among protein cookies (MyProtein Protein Cookie holds that distinction at a whopping 38 grams per cookie), but it can still do the job.

We particularly like the combination of milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate – a slow- and fast-absorbing protein combo should help your body remain in an anabolic state longer.

Another strength of QUEST Protein Cookie is its high fiber content. Forty percent of the daily value per cookie is solid, to say the least. This much will help regulate bowel movement and keep cholesterol levels in check, for sure.

QUEST Protein Cookie is also a solid source of calcium at 15 percent of the daily value. This mineral helps strengthen bones and the cardiovascular system. You simply cannot pass up on these crucial health benefits.

QUEST Protein Cookie comes in four flavors.

The manufacturer also manages to keep the carb content in check at a respectable seven percent of the daily value. Many competitors overlook this. Not QUEST Nutrition.

We also like the manufacturer’s transparency – it breaks down all of the ingredient amounts. That’s a huge victory for the customer. No question.

As for QUEST Protein Cookie’s taste, customers have given it mixed reviews. Those who don’t like it say it produces this strong aftertaste. As for us, we liked it. In our opinion, the Double Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Chip flavors are the best (they make you want to dip them in a cup of milk or grab a cup of coffee). We liked the Peanut Butter flavor the least. For us, it’s average at best.

QUEST Protein Cookie is a strong product, but it isn’t perfect. Look no further than its high fat (25 percent of the daily value) and saturated fat content (50 percent of the daily value). The cholesterol level isn’t exactly low, either (10 percent of the daily value).

Unfortunately, the company includes a crappy sugar alcohol known as erythritol. Experts say this is a highly-processed sweetener which functions better as an insecticide than a food ingredient. That just about sums things up.

On that note, it would have been better if the manufacturer increased QUEST Protein Cookie’s stevia content (a natural sweetener which helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels).

While QUEST Protein Cookie has its strengths, it also has glaring weaknesses. This caught us a bit off guard, as many consider the company’s protein bar (QUEST Bar) as one of the best – if not the best – in the industry.

The bottom line: QUEST Protein Cookie is a solid product, but it has room for improvement. For now, you may be better off consuming this on your cheat day.

QUEST Protein Cookie Benefits

QUEST Protein Cookie’s Double Chocolate Chip flavor “is packed with 15 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, and less than one gram of sugar. With a nutritional profile like that, you can indulge the voice in your head urging you to eat more chocolate,” per its official website.

Who Takes It?

The manufacturer intended QUEST Protein Cookie for healthy and active individuals who want to increase muscle mass, meet their daily protein requirements, fill nutrition gaps, and achieve their daily fitness goals.

Any Side Effects?

QUEST Protein Cookie’s Double Chocolate Chip flavor contains 25 percent and 50 percent the daily value for fats and saturated fats, respectively. Cardiologists have linked a high saturated fat intake to heart issues.

This product also contains erythritol, a sugar alcohol which has several side effects (overeating, gastrointestinal issues, allergies, etc.).

If these, or any other ingredient, concern you, please consult your physician before buying QUEST Protein Cookie.

QUEST Protein Cookie Review Summary

Pros

• Fifteen grams of protein per serving. Combination of milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate.
• High in fiber. Solid 40 percent of the daily value.
• Solid source of calcium. Yields 15 percent of the daily value.
• Relatively low carb content. Doesn’t go overboard at seven percent of the daily value.
• Excellent transparency. Company breaks down all of the ingredient amounts.
• Taste. While some customers say it has a strong aftertaste, we say it’s stil awesome.
• Flavor options. Comes in Double Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, and Peanut Butter varieties.

Cons

• High in fats and saturated fats. Twenty-five percent and 50 percent of the daily value, respectively.
• Contains erythritol. Highly-processed sugar alcohol which has certain side effects.

Pricing & Where to Buy

• 1 Box of 12 (12-Day Supply): $21.99
• Available online and in retail