KIND Protein Bar Dark Chocolate Nut
Casual snackers who want a recognizable brand with visible whole ingredients
Quest Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bar
Macro-focused gym-goers who prioritize protein-to-calorie ratio above ingredient purity
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose KIND Protein Bar Dark Chocolate Nut
Casual snackers who want a recognizable brand with visible whole ingredients
KIND built its brand on visible whole ingredients, and the Dark Chocolate Nut bar delivers that visual appeal. However, the protein comes from soy protein isolate (not the nuts), and palm kernel oil drags down ingredient purity. At 12g protein and 8g sugar, the macros are average. A familiar, accessible option rather than a health-optimized one.
Strengths
- Recognizable whole nuts and ingredients you can see — visually transparent
- Good taste with a satisfying crunch from whole almonds and peanuts
- Affordable at ~$1.50/bar and widely available in most stores
Limitations
- Contains soy protein isolate and palm kernel oil — not the cleanest ingredient list
- ~8g sugar per bar is on the higher side for a protein bar
- Only 12g protein — moderate at best for a product marketed as a protein bar
When to Choose Quest Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bar
Macro-focused gym-goers who prioritize protein-to-calorie ratio above ingredient purity
Quest dominates on macros — 21g protein, <1g sugar, widely available everywhere. But it achieves this with sucralose AND erythritol, earning the lowest ingredient purity and sugar profile scores in our comparison. If you only count macros, Quest is king. If ingredient quality matters, look elsewhere.
Strengths
- Industry-leading macros with 21g protein and less than 1g sugar per bar
- Milk protein isolate and whey isolate provide high bioavailability and complete amino acids
- Widely available in virtually every grocery store, gas station, and gym in the country
Limitations
- Contains BOTH sucralose and erythritol — double artificial sweetener and sugar alcohol penalty
- Heavily processed ingredient list with numerous additives beyond the protein
- Sucralose is one of the most controversial artificial sweeteners in health-conscious circles
