Protein Bars, explained
Herbalife Protein Bars are 35g chewy, chocolate-coated snacks with 10g of milk protein each. People keep a box in a bag or desk drawer for a snack between meals.
What Protein Bars is
Each bar gives 137 calories in Vanilla Almond or 139 in Citrus Lemon, with seven added vitamins. Our store sells both flavours, and a box holds 14 bars.
They are snacks, not meal replacements. Formula 1 Express Bars are the 56g meal bars, with 25 vitamins and minerals.
Herbalife's own guide puts a protein snack at around 10g of protein and a typical protein food at around 25g. These bars sit at the snack end of that scale.
What's in it, ingredient by ingredient
Milk proteins concentrate (whey protein and calcium caseinate)
10g of protein per barWhey and casein are the two main types of protein in milk. Calcium caseinate and sodium caseinate are dried forms of casein, and Citrus Lemon uses both along with milk protein.
Whey is digested more quickly than casein, according to Herbalife's guide to protein shakes.
For comparison, the BDA puts a small 200g can of baked beans at 10g of protein, the same as one bar.
Why it's in Protein Bars: These milk proteins are the first ingredient and supply the 10g of protein in each bar.
Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass. Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
Milk is one of the 14 allergens declared on UK labels, so these bars don't suit anyone avoiding milk.
Fructose syrup and glucose syrup
11g of sugars in Vanilla Almond and 10g in Citrus LemonBoth are sugar syrups. The NHS lists fructose and glucose among the names for added sugar on ingredient labels.
The chocolate coating adds sugar as well. The NHS says adults should have no more than 30g of free sugars a day. The label's 10g to 11g of sugars is about a third of that, though some of it is natural milk sugar, which the NHS does not count as free sugar.
Why it's in Protein Bars: They sweeten the bar.
Milk chocolate coating
17% of the bar, with at least 30% cocoa solidsThe coating is milk chocolate made from sugar, milk powder, cocoa butter and cocoa mass. It is what makes the bar look like a chocolate bar.
It also contains soy lecithin, an emulsifier that keeps chocolate smooth. That is why both flavours are labelled as containing soy.
Why it's in Protein Bars: It gives the bar its chocolate shell and much of its flavour.
Almond paste (Vanilla Almond) or egg albumen powder (Citrus Lemon)
Almond paste is 6.5% of a Vanilla Almond barAlmond paste is made from almonds, and it gives Vanilla Almond its nutty flavour. Egg albumen is the protein from egg white, dried to a powder.
This means each flavour carries a different allergen.
Why it's in Protein Bars: The almond adds flavour to Vanilla Almond. The egg white powder is part of the Citrus Lemon recipe.
Vanilla Almond contains almonds, and Citrus Lemon contains egg. Neither flavour suits a nut or egg allergy, because Vanilla Almond may contain egg and Citrus Lemon may contain nuts.
Gelatin
Gelatin is a protein made by breaking down collagen from animal bones, hides and skins.
Why it's in Protein Bars: It forms part of the chewy centre of the bar.
Because gelatin comes from animals, these bars don't suit vegetarians or vegans. Herbalife does not label them vegetarian.
Added vitamins: B6, B12, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid and vitamin E
Vitamin B6 0.85mg to 0.88mg (61% to 63% RI); vitamin B12 1.1µg to 1.3µg (44% to 52% RI)Six of the seven added vitamins are B vitamins. B vitamins are found naturally in foods like meat, fish, milk, eggs and fortified cereals.
The NHS puts adult needs for vitamin B6 at about 1.4mg a day for men and 1.2mg for women. One bar gives well over half of that.
Thiamin, or vitamin B1, comes to 0.91mg to 0.95mg per bar. The NHS says men need 1mg a day and women 0.8mg.
Why it's in Protein Bars: Herbalife adds them so the bar provides key vitamins, including B6 and B12, as well as protein.
Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Thiamin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
Crisped rice adds crunch to Vanilla Almond. Citrus Lemon also has palm oil for fat, dextrose for sweetness and citric acid for a sharper taste. Flavourings finish both recipes.
Reading the label
Per 35g bar (Vanilla Almond first, then Citrus Lemon)
- Energy: 137 kcal / 139 kcal. A snack-sized amount, about two thirds of the calories in a Formula 1 Express Bar.
- Protein: 10g / 10g. The same as a small 200g can of baked beans.
- Carbohydrate: 16g / 16g. This total includes the sugars below.
- of which sugars: 11g / 10g. About a third of the NHS limit of 30g of free sugars a day, though some is natural milk sugar that the NHS does not count.
- Fibre: 0.4g / 0g. These bars are not a source of fibre.
- Fat: 4g, of which 1.6g / 2.3g saturates. Citrus Lemon has more saturated fat, and its recipe includes palm oil.
- Salt: 0.03g / 0.08g. That is a tiny fraction of the 6g adult maximum the NHS sets.
- Vitamin B6: 0.88mg / 0.85mg (63% / 61% RI). Well over half of an adult's daily need.
- Vitamin B12: 1.3µg / 1.1µg (52% / 44% RI). The NHS says adults need about 1.5µg a day.
- Thiamin: 0.95mg / 0.91mg (86% / 83% RI). Close to a man's full daily need of 1mg.
%RI is the share of the reference intake, a standard daily amount used on food labels.
Each bar is one serving, so the per-bar column is what you actually eat.
Pick a flavour
Vanilla Almond
Citrus LemonHow to use it
One or two a day
Herbalife's label says one or two bars a day, eaten as snacks.
A bar fits between meals, such as mid-morning or mid-afternoon. The bars need no preparation, so a box can live in your bag or desk drawer.
Eat them alongside your meals as part of a balanced and varied diet. Store the box somewhere cool and dry.
Good to know
Who it suits
- Both flavours are ready to eat with no preparation.
- Each bar is individually portioned at 35g, which makes the calories easy to count.
Check first
- Both flavours contain milk and soy. Vanilla Almond also contains almonds, and Citrus Lemon contains egg.
- Both may contain traces of peanuts, nuts and gluten, and Vanilla Almond may also contain egg.
- The bars contain gelatin, so they are not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Questions people ask
Can a Protein Bar replace a meal?
No. It is a 137 to 139 calorie snack with seven vitamins. Formula 1 Express Bars are the meal replacement bars, with 25 vitamins and minerals.
Are they vegetarian?
No. Both flavours contain gelatin, which is made from animal collagen. Herbalife does not label them vegetarian.
How much sugar is in a bar?
Vanilla Almond has 11g and Citrus Lemon has 10g. The NHS says adults should have no more than 30g of free sugars a day, and most of the sugar in these bars is added sugar that counts towards it.
Which flavour should I pick if I have an allergy?
Vanilla Almond contains almonds, and Citrus Lemon contains egg. Both contain milk and soy, and both may contain traces of peanuts, nuts and gluten. Vanilla Almond may also contain traces of egg, so neither flavour suits someone with an egg allergy.
How many can I eat a day?
Herbalife's label says one or two bars a day as snacks.
Is the coating real chocolate?
Yes. It is milk chocolate with at least 30% cocoa solids, and it makes up 17% of each bar.
Where these facts come from
- nhs_sugar: nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/how-does-sugar-in-our-diet-affect
- nhs_cut_sugar: nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/how-to-cut-down-o
- nhs_vitb: nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-b/
- bda_protein: bda.uk.com/static/61ad81e4-ea30-41d3-a03717a2467754d9/Practical-guide-
- fsa_allergens: food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-guidance-for-food-businesses
- nhc_reg_432: legislation.gov.uk/eur/2012/432
- gov_gelatine: gov.uk/government/publications/gelatine-and-collagen-not-for-human-con
- hl_protein_shakes: herbalife.com/en-gb/wellness-resources/articles/what-are-protein-shake
- hl_balancing_protein: herbalife.com/en-gb/wellness-resources/articles/balancing-protein-and-
- hl_label_article: herbalife.com/en-gb/wellness-resources/articles/how-to-read-a-nutritio
- pb_va_fs: Herbalife product information and label
- pb_cl_fs: Herbalife product information and label
- pb_va_pn: Herbalife product information and label
- pb_cl_pn: Herbalife product information and label
- matrix: Herbalife product information and label
- xb_fs: Herbalife product information and label
- store_live: lose-weight-feel-great.co.uk/products.json
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Enjoy Protein Bars as part of a varied, balanced diet and a healthy, active lifestyle. Herbalife images and video are the property of Herbalife. Speak to your GP before changing your diet if you have a medical condition, take medication or are pregnant.
