Overview

The think! High Protein Bar in Brownie Crunch occupies a specific and defensible niche: it delivers 0g sugar and 20g protein without resorting to sucralose. That last distinction matters more than it might seem. In a budget tier dominated by bars that achieve impressive macro numbers through aggressive artificial sweetener use, think! carves out a meaningful middle path by relying on sugar alcohols instead. The result is a bar that satisfies the macro-counters without tripping the wire for the growing population of consumers who specifically avoid sucralose.

The protein comes from a whey-soy blend. Whey protein isolate as the primary source provides excellent bioavailability and a strong amino acid profile, while soy protein isolate rounds out the protein count at a lower cost. At ~$2.00 per bar, the economics work. The brownie crunch flavor delivers a credible chocolate experience with a satisfying crunch, though the texture trends toward the drier side compared to chewier competitors. Think of think! as the pragmatist's protein bar -- it does not win any single category outright, but it avoids the worst pitfalls of its price tier.

This product is best for budget shoppers who want zero sugar and high protein without sucralose specifically.

Features Deep-Dive

The Sucralose-Free Zero Sugar Approach

This is think!'s most compelling differentiator, and it deserves unpacking. Both Quest and Pure Protein achieve their impressive low-sugar profiles using sucralose, which remains one of the most polarizing ingredients in the protein bar space. think! reaches 0g sugar through sugar alcohol technology instead -- a meaningful distinction for consumers who have drawn the line specifically at sucralose. Sugar alcohols are not without their own concerns; they can cause digestive distress in sensitive individuals, particularly at higher doses, and the sweetness profile differs from sucralose's close-to-sugar taste. But for the significant number of buyers who Google "protein bar without sucralose" before purchasing, think! answers that search query directly. The fact that it manages zero sugar without sucralose while still hitting 20g protein at $2.00/bar is a genuinely unusual combination in this market.

Protein Blend: Whey Leads, Soy Supports

The protein source story is a mix of good news and asterisks. Whey protein isolate is listed as the primary protein source, and that is a solid foundation -- whey isolate has one of the highest bioavailability scores of any protein and delivers a rapid leucine spike that supports muscle protein synthesis. The asterisk is soy protein isolate, which appears further down the ingredient list as a secondary source. Soy is a complete protein with respectable bioavailability, but it carries baggage for some consumers: concerns about phytoestrogens (largely overblown in the scientific literature but persistent in public perception), GMO sourcing questions, and taste impact. Our protein source quality score of 7.0 reflects this split -- excellent primary source, more debatable secondary one. Compared to Quest's all-dairy blend (8.5) or RXBAR's egg whites (8.0), think!'s protein sourcing is good but not exceptional.

Taste, Texture, and the Brownie Question

The Brownie Crunch flavor name sets expectations that the bar mostly meets. The chocolate flavor is genuine and not excessively artificial, with a crunchy texture from crisp rice elements that provides satisfying contrast to the protein base. The overall eating experience earns a 7.5 taste-texture score -- solidly above average but not the indulgent treat that Quest (8.5) or Barebells (9.0) deliver. The bar trends drier than competitors, which can be polarizing: some people appreciate the crunch and find it more "real food" feeling, while others expect a protein bar to be chewy and dense. If you are coming from Quest's cookie-dough chewiness, the textural shift is noticeable. If you prefer a bar that does not stick to your teeth, think! has the advantage.

Pricing Analysis

At roughly $20 for a box of 10 (~$2.00 per bar), think! is genuinely budget-friendly for what it offers. The protein-per-dollar math works out to 10g of protein per dollar spent, which is competitive with Quest ($2.08 for 21g) and behind only Pure Protein ($1.33 for 20g) on pure cost efficiency. Where think! creates its value argument is the combination: zero sugar, no sucralose, 20g protein, at $2.00/bar. No other bar in this comparison matches all four of those criteria simultaneously. Pure Protein is cheaper but uses sucralose. Quest has one more gram of protein but uses both sucralose and erythritol. Orgain avoids all artificial sweeteners but only delivers 10g protein. think! threads a needle that none of its direct competitors replicate, and for the specific buyer who cares about that needle, the $2.00 price point is surprisingly accessible.

Who Is This For?

think! High Protein Bar Brownie Crunch works best for:

• Sucralose-avoiders on a budget who want high protein and zero sugar without paying premium prices. If you have specifically removed sucralose from your diet but still want strong macros under $2.50/bar, think! is essentially your only option in this comparison.
• Practical gym-goers who want a reliable post-workout protein source without overthinking ingredient labels. The 20g protein from whey-first sourcing is legitimately effective for recovery, and the zero sugar keeps the macro profile clean.
• Office desk snackers who want something substantial enough to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner without a sugar spike. The combination of 20g protein and 0g sugar provides sustained energy without the crash that higher-sugar bars can trigger.
• Soy-tolerant consumers who are comfortable with soy protein isolate as a secondary ingredient. If soy is not a concern for you, the blended protein approach delivers good value.

Who Should NOT Use This

think! High Protein Bar Brownie Crunch might not be the right choice if:

• You have digestive sensitivity to sugar alcohols. think! achieves its 0g sugar claim through sugar alcohols, which can cause bloating, gas, and other GI discomfort in sensitive individuals. If sugar alcohols are a known trigger for you, RXBAR (sweetened with dates) or Orgain (organic sugars) are safer choices.
• You avoid soy protein on principle. Whether for phytoestrogen concerns, allergen reasons, or personal preference, the soy protein isolate in think! is a dealbreaker for some buyers. Quest uses an all-dairy protein blend, and RXBAR relies on egg whites -- both avoid soy entirely.
• You want the best possible taste experience. At a 7.5 taste-texture score, think! is perfectly adequate but does not compete with bars like Barebells (9.0) or Quest (8.5) that have invested heavily in flavor engineering. If the eating experience matters as much as the nutrition label, premium bars deliver more enjoyment per bite.

Bottom Line

think! bars achieve 0g sugar and 20g protein without resorting to sucralose -- a meaningful distinction in a budget tier where sucralose is nearly universal. The trade-off is sugar alcohols and a whey-soy protein blend. For the specific buyer who wants clean macros without sucralose at under $2.50/bar, think! threads a needle no competitor in this comparison matches.

FAQ

Is think! High Protein Bar Brownie Crunch worth the price?

At $2.00/bar, think! offers strong value for its specific niche. You get 20g protein and 0g sugar without sucralose -- a combination that typically costs more in the protein bar market. Pure Protein is cheaper at $1.33/bar but uses sucralose. Bars that avoid both sucralose and sugar alcohols (like RXBAR) cost $2.50+. If avoiding sucralose at a budget price is your priority, think! is the best value proposition available.

How does think! compare to Quest?

The two bars are remarkably similar on paper -- 20g vs 21g protein, both 0g sugar, similar price points. The core difference is sweetener philosophy. Quest uses sucralose and erythritol; think! uses sugar alcohols without sucralose. Quest scores higher on taste (8.5 vs 7.5) and protein quality (8.5 vs 7.0, due to Quest's all-dairy blend), but think! avoids the specific ingredient that many health-conscious consumers find most objectionable. Your choice depends on where you draw the line.

Does think! contain common allergens?

Yes. think! contains milk (from whey protein isolate) and soy (from soy protein isolate). It is manufactured in facilities that may also process tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and eggs. The bar is gluten-free but not certified gluten-free. Anyone with dairy or soy allergies should look at plant-based alternatives like Orgain or No Cow.

Will sugar alcohols in think! bars cause stomach issues?

They can, especially for people who are sensitive to sugar alcohols or who consume multiple bars in a day. Sugar alcohols are FODMAPs (fermentable carbohydrates) that can draw water into the intestine and feed gut bacteria, potentially causing bloating, gas, or laxative effects. Most people tolerate one bar without issues, but sensitivity varies widely. If you have IBS or known FODMAP sensitivities, start with one bar and assess your tolerance before buying in bulk.