Although they're not my top choice when it comes to food, protein bars are a necessary staple in my life. Whether I'm traveling, running around New York City with back-to-back meetings, or simply running out of time to make or pick up a meal, I always have protein bars on hand.
Protein bars are convenient and quick, and can give you a balanced snack or dose of protein post-workout when you otherwise don't have time to sit down and eat. That said, protein bars aren't known for tasting great or having a stellar ingredient list. I'm pretty picky about what kind of bar I'll buy these days.
Enter David protein bars, the viral snack all over my FYP. These bars pack 28 grams of protein per bar, which TBH, is the highest I've seen in a bar in a while.
They're also backed by some big names in the wellness space, including Peter Attia, who serves as the company's chief science officer, and Andrew Huberman, one of the investors. FWIW: The company is also founded by RxBar cofounder Peter Rahal, and the brand recently raised $75 million in a Series A, according to Fitt Insider.
Street cred aside, the website claims the bars are "the most effective portable protein on this planet." But I'll be the judge of that. I had the opportunity to sample a box of David protein bars to see what the buzz is all about. Here's my hot take - plus, an RD's honest thoughts.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Kim Yawitz, RD, is a registered dietitian and the owner of Two Six Fitness in St. Louis.
Are David Protein Bars Really Healthy?
When I first glanced at the label, I didn't see anything that immediately stood out as concerning (although I'm no RD): milk protein isolate, collagen, whey protein concentrate, egg white. Seems pretty good so far. Kim Yawitz, RD, a registered dietitian and the owner of Two Six Fitness in St. Louis, is also generally impressed by the bar's nutrition breakdown. "David bars pack an impressive 28 grams of protein into just 150 calories, with zero added sugar - which is pretty rare. It's tough to find a bar that delivers that much protein without a bunch of extra fat or sugar . . . they use high-quality, highly digestible protein, which your body can put to work quickly for muscle repair and other important functions. The processing also helps them achieve one of the best protein-to-calorie ratios I've seen in a bar," she says.
Moving down the ingredient list, Yawitz points out what the brand calls the "binding system," said to give the bar texture/structure. This system contains a sugar alcohol called malitol and a low-calorie sugar called allulose. "Both are generally considered safe by the FDA, though large amounts can cause digestive issues like gas or bloating," Yawitz says. "Some recent studies have linked high blood levels of certain sugar alcohols (like xylitol and erythritol) with heart risks, but more research is needed," she says. Again, sugar alcohols may cause digestive issues and are linked to heart risks, but the FDA considers them generally safe. If you are worried, it's probably best to steer clear of these or at least limit the amount of artificial sweeteners you eat. FWIW, Yawtiz said she personally does not mind eating the bars a few times a week.
"The one ingredient that gives me pause is EPG (esterified propoxylated glycerol)," Yawitz says. The EPG in David bars is made by modifying rapeseed oil, turning from a polyunsaturated fat into a saturated fat - also making it nondigestible in the process. EPG is used to give the bar a rich, satisfying texture while keeping calories low, but some reddit claims about the ingredient have also stated that it can cause stomach distress (and in some extreme cases, people are pooping their pants.) While Yawitz isn't convinced that EPG is responsible for the stomach distress, she notes that higher doses of the ingredient - around 25 to 40 grams - have led to diarrhea and greasy stools in a 2014 study. That said, it's unclear how much EPG is in a David bar.
Also worth noting: David bars are not suitable for people who avoid milk, eggs, or animal-derived products. "David bars contain a mix of milk proteins, egg white protein, and collagen. They're not suitable for those following a vegan diet, or for those with egg and milk protein allergies," Yawitz says.
So, How Do David Bars Taste?
I personally didn't notice any stomach problems when I tried the David Bars, FWIW. I also find the bar's texture and consistency to be pretty solid for protein bars. They're soft, but not too sticky, chewy, or chalky like many protein bars can be. They're not overly sweet, and honestly, I've liked all the flavors I tried so far. My favorite? Probably a toss up between the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Blueberry Pie. The Salted Peanut Butter is also good, but I didn't love the Cake Batter flavor as much as I expected.
The best part about the bars is that the high protein content actually helps satisfy my hunger and saved me from plenty of situations where I would have otherwise been hangry. All too often, I've been starving, grabbed a bar, and found myself hungry again in an hour. David bars are not like that. I'd definitely eat this for breakfast if I'm traveling, or simply need to get 30 grams of protein in after a workout and don't have time or energy to find a protein-rich meal or smoothie. While I'm not planning to eat these every day, it's nice to have a portable, high-protein option on hand for days when I can't cook or grab a proper meal.
So, Are David Bar Worth the Hype?
While protein bars aren't perfect, and neither is David, these bars are a nice option if you're someone who is looking for a convenient bar that is high in protein, low in sugar, carbohydrates, and fat. These bars do contain artificial sweeteners and the EPG though - two ingredients that I'm not a huge fan of personally. This is why I look at the bars as a once-in-a-while tool for when I'm busy, not as a daily go-to snack or meal.
The TLDR of it all: "If you're falling short on protein, a bar can be a convenient way to fill the gap," Yawitz. But they're not meant to replace regular balanced meals. Whole foods are usually the better choice when it comes to nutrition, Yawitz says. "And if getting enough protein is something you struggle with often, a dietitian can help you build a plan that works for your lifestyle."
Mercey Livingston is a writer and editor with eight-plus years of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition for media outlets and brands including Well+Good, Shape, and Women's Health. She was the fitness editor at Peloton and held editorial roles at Equinox, Shape, and Well+Good. Mercey is a NASM-certified personal trainer and women's fitness specialist. She's also a certified holistic health coach through the Institute For Integrative Nutrition, with an additional certification in hormone health. She has a BA in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( I Tried the Viral David Protein Bars You Can't Escape - Here's My Honest Take )
Also on site :