Protein bars are a convenient snack and can even work as a meal replacement when you’re on the go. Costco carries a few different kinds of protein bars, and it can be hard to figure out which brand is right for you. The Simply Protein bars are gluten-free, plant-based and have 12 grams of protein per bar. Could this be the perfect protein bar for you?
I actually really like protein bars, I find them convenient and always keep a stash at work. I’ve tried a few different kinds of protein bars from Costco but never these Simply Protein bars! Although I’ve seen them at Costco for the last few years.
Other protein bar options from Costco are the Smart for Life Protein Bars, Quest Protein Bars, Kirkland Signature Protein Bars, Kirkland Signature Chewy Protein Bars, RX Bars and the Love Good Fats Keto Bars.
Location in Store
These bars are located in the snack section near the front of the store right by all the other protein bars. The item number is 2240923.
Taste
There are three flavors of bars in the box, dark chocolate almond, peanut butter chocolate and lemon coconut. I tried all three bars and I can’t say I love any of them. I do like the texture of the protein bars! The Simpy Protein bars are crunchy and remind me kind of a rice crispy bar and other protein bars have a thick, chewy, gummy, smooth consistency.
Peanut butter chocolate is has a bland peanut butter chocolate flavor, the taste of peanut butter is more noticeable than the chocolate. Dark chocolate almond is my least favorite, I find it has almond a medicinal or chemical flavor and doesn’t really taste like chocolate to me. Actually, I noticed it tastes a bit like coffee but coffee isn’t listed in the ingredients.
I love both lemon and coconut on their own so I had hoped the lemon coconut bar would save the box but I can’t say I find it tasty. Instead of a refreshing, light lemon flavor it tastes like a lemon hard candy and coconut is barely noticeable.
The thing I dislike most about these protein bars is how chalky they taste! The chalkiness lingers in my mouth long after taking a bite.
Cost
The 600 gram box that contains 15 protein bars costs $18.99 Canadian. After trying the bars I definitely don’t think the cost is worth it.
Convenience
Each bar is individually wrapped and there are five of each kind in the box. The best before date on the box is about 11 months from when I purchased the bars.
Protein bars are a convenient snack or even a meal replacement for some people! When I’m at work I like to each a quarter or half a bar as a snack.
Nutrition
Calories
The dark chocolate almond bar contains 160 calories, seven grams of fat, 17 grams of carbohydrates, seven grams of fibre, two grams of sugar, 12 grams of protein and 180 milligrams of sodium.
Lemon coconut contains 150 calories, five grams of fat, 17 grams of carbohydrates, seven grams of fibre, two grams of sugar, 12 grams of protein and 170 milligrams of sodium.
Peanut butter chocolate contains 170 calories, eight grams of fat, two grams of fat, 15 grams of carbohydrates, seven grams of fibre, two grams of sugar, 12 grams of protein and 150 milligrams of sodium.
Ingredients
There are a lot of other convenient ways to get a decent amount of protein that are healthier. The protein is from soy which is something to be aware of because some people have soy allergies or try to limit soy in their diet. The Simply Protein bars contain soy and almonds. They may contain peanuts, brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, walnuts and sesame.
Scoring
Taste: 3/10
Cost: 6/10
Convenience: 10/10
Nutrition: 4/10
Overall
Walk on by.
These don’t taste good and aren’t exactly loaded with protein and healthy ingredients. If you’re looking for a decent protein bar from Costco, try the RX Bars. They’re my favorite and I buy them and eat them all the time.
Have you tried these protein bars from Costco? What did you think of them?
Please note that this review was not paid for or sponsored by any third party. This product was purchased by Costcuisine for the purpose of producing this review. The opinions in this review are strictly those of Costcuisine. Costcuisine is not affiliated with Costco or any of its suppliers. In the event that Costcuisine receives compensation for a post from the manufacturer of a product or some other third party, the arrangement will be clearly disclosed (including where the manufacturer of a product provides Costcuisine with a free sample of the product).
These bars aren’t terrible, just not good, and definitely not worth the money, IMO. More like a very sad & small rice crispy treat. I am tempted to try to make my own bar with soy crispies & sugar free syrup, and add real peanuts, mini chocolate chips, lemon, coconut, etc for flavor. In fact, I’ll sure somebody has probably done this already so I’ll Google to find a recipe and try to figure it out.
The initial bite is pleasant, nice, and crunchy rice. But the flavor is bland and dirty, and the texture ends up feeling like you ate a handful of sand. Super dry and while I can brave the first few bites, finishing the bar is a light form of torture. I won’t waste them, but I do wish my tastebuds could take a break each time I have to eat one.
The chocolate ones tastes like dirt. Te lemon coconut tastes like mild lemon grass. I don’t like grass or dirt.
I guess I’m the odd person out. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the three flavours. For me, content was much more important than taste but I liked the taste anyway. To each his own I guess.
I was pleasantly surprised with these. The dark chocolate one (2 WW points) tasted like a dessert to me! And I loved the lemon one (3 WW points). I’m not a coconut fan and was unfoundedly worried I would hate these, but I liked them. And the low weight watchers point values are more in line with a snack than other protein bars I’ve found at Costco. I haven’t tried the peanutbutter one yet, but I will hit it up tomorrow.
These Simple Protein bars have left the US Costco building. They’ve been nationally recalled due to an undisclosed peanut ingredients.
Funny, Funny, and a bit suspect. I like these bars and 0/10 for nutrition leaves me wondering. These bars’ specs beat all the others I checked out in the same aisle. But don’t just listen to me and Nutalie there are plenty of reviews on Amazon. ABTW we all have our preferences. Keep up the good work trying to stay healthy.
Cheers!
I’m in love with the Crispy lemon coconut.
Agree completely and can’t understand the criticisms from others. I like the dark chocolate salted caramel bars. They are light and crispy and taste great, not too sweet. Plus they have 12 grams of protein and only 2g of sugar. Best bars I’ve found.
Agree with your review! Just walk on by!
I found the taste of the chocolate almond bar to be nothing more than chocolate flavored sand. The lemon coconut bar smelled like lemon when I opened the wrapper, but that quickly disappeared and I was left with a mild coconut flavored sand. I decided not to even try the peanut butter chocolate one.
Yeah exactly! Not good!
Funny you used the word “sand.” That’s exactly what I thought of when I ate the Lemon Coconut bar. I’d never tried these, they were on sale and the pictures looked good. Wish I’d read the review first before buying two boxes. The texture reminds me of eating something at the beach on a windy day.
Sand is correct. This is torture.