Welcome to the latest instalment of my protein bar review series. Today, I'm diving into the Greenback Triple Chocolate Protein Bar – a plant-based, allergen-friendly snack from an Aussie brand that champions sustainability and natural ingredients.
Whether you're sussing out snacks for multi-day hikes or just chasing something for after your gym workout, let's explore whether this Greenback protein bar deserves a spot in your backpack.
Greenback Triple Chocolate Protein Bar First Impressions
Protein Bar Quick Details
Price
RRP: $3.92 per bar, available in boxes of x 12 for $47.00.
Flavours available
Peanut Butter, Hazelnut, Salted Caramel, Cookie Dough, Choc Raspberry
Protein Bar Packaging
Greenback packaging has two main colours on each bar. The first is the distinctive Greenback green, plus a different colour associated with each flavour. This makes it super easy to spot your favourite bar on the shelf. I like the simplicity.
Protein Bar Nutritional Claims
It boasts four messages on the front of the packet:
Vegan
Gluten-free
20% Protein (interesting, normally protein is listed in grams)
Preservative-free
Protein Bar Taste Test
Protein Bar Aroma
This has a rich cocoa smell. Imagine you've opened a tub of powdered cocoa and taken a big inhale.
Protein Bar Texture
This surprised me. The texture was very, very soft and smooth, despite the bar being solid and keeping its form well.
It was kind of like eating a just-solidified chocolate mousse. There was a subtle crunch from the included soy protein crisp, which was a great touch. It looks a lot lumpier than it actually is.
Protein Bar Digestibility
This was really moreish. Normally chocolate protein bars are pretty sickly and quite dense. This was somehow still dense, but light enough that I could happily have eaten another right away (unlike the Blue Dinosaur Chocolate Protein Bar I tried about a month ago). No digestive discomfort at all.
Protein Bar Flavour
This Triple Choc protein bar is rich in flavour but not remotely sickly. It has a lovely creamy chocolate flavour without a hint of the bitterness that would normally accompany such a deep chocolate. I haven't tasted a protein bar that's nailed the 'chocolate' flavour so well, vegan or otherwise.
In fact, this protein bar legitimately had me double-checking that it was vegan – yep, it was that good.
Rating out of 5 (0= terrible, 5= amazing): 5/5
Protein Bar Nutritional Analysis
Ingredients List
Ingredients: Oligofructose, Dark Chocolate 20% (Cocoa Solids 60%, Sugar, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Natural Flavour), Pea Protein Isolate, Dates, Date Syrup, Soy Protein Crisps, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Powder 3%, Cashew Butter, Chocolate Pieces 2.5%, Natural Flavour, Sunflower Oil, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Salt, Antioxidant (Vitamin E).Â
Contains Soy, Cashew. The production of this product is used on machinery that may contain traces of: Milk, Peanut, Sesame, Almond, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Pecan, Walnut, Brazil Nut, Pistachio. Â
Protein Sources: A combination of pea protein isolate (a complete protein with all essential amino acids) and soy protein crisps make up the protein in this bar. The soy protein adds additional grams while adding enjoyable texture.
Healthy Fats: Cocoa butter and cashew butter are the primary fat sources here. These are pretty good inclusions. Cashew butter has monounsaturated fats that provide slow-release energy and are beneficial for heart health. While cocoa butter is a saturated fat, it has stearic acid, which is known to have a neutral effect on cholesterol levels. Plus it helps give a smooth texture.
Natural Sweeteners: Dates and date syrup are natural sweeteners. They typically add a slight caramel-like flavor and provide some fibre and potassium, supporting energy metabolism and muscle function.
Flavour Enhancements: The addition of 20% dark chocolate and 3% cocoa powder are the reason for the depth of flavour. Chocolate pieces add more creaminess and texture. The mention of 'natural flavours' is always a bugbear of mine as I'd rather more specifics but can't really analyse that without more detail.
Sunflower oil is most likely being used in this bar as it doesn't overpower other flavours. Unfortunately, it has a higher concentration of omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, which can contribute to inflammation if consumed in excess and not balanced with omega-3s elsewhere in your diet. In small amounts, like in this protein bar, it doesn't warrant much focus unless you plan on eating these daily. And even then, it's pretty easy to offset.
Nutrition Information Panel
This 50g Greenback Triple Choc Protein Bar provides you with 196 calories, 10g of protein, 15.6g of carbohydrates, and 8.2g of total fat. It's a really well-balanced snack that delivers energy without overloading or prioritising any one macronutrient.
The 9.8g of fibre is a brilliant addition (love to see it as it's so rare in the common supermarket protein bars). It has great digestive benefits and helps with sustained energy release and helps you feel full.
Protein Quality: With 10g of protein per bar, this protein bar provides a decent boost, particularly for a snack-sized option. While not a high-protein bar by definition (it needs 20g for that label), it’s sufficient for a mid-hike pick-me-up or post-trail recovery snack.
Carbohydrates: Each bar contains 15.6g of carbohydrates, including 12g of sugars. While the sugar content is on the higher side, it’s largely derived from natural sources like dates, making it a useful source of quick energy on shorter hikes and not something to worry about.
Fibre: The standout here is the 9.8g of dietary fibre – an unusually high amount for a protein bar. This supports digestive health, aids in satiety, and helps maintain stable energy levels on longer hikes.
Healthy Fats:Â The bar contains 8.2g of fat, with 4.5g being saturated. These fats, derived from cashew butter and cocoa butter, are excellent for providing long-lasting energy and aiding nutrient absorption.
Sugars:Â With 12g of sugar, this protein bar leans towards being a sweet snack. While beneficial for a quick energy boost, it might be worth balancing it with a more savoury option during a full day of hiking to avoid energy spikes and crashes.
Vitamins & Minerals:Â The protein bar includes 115mg of sodium, which is great for replenishing electrolytes after sweating.
Conclusion:Â The Greenback Triple Chocolate Protein Bar is a fibre-rich, energy-packed option that caters well to hikers looking for a snack worthy of hiking up a hill for. Its natural ingredients and balanced macronutrient profile make it a great all-round snack for general activity.
Key Takeaways Greenback Triple Chocolate Protein Bar
Cost per bar: $3.90
Cost per 100g: $7.80
Cost per gram of protein: $0.39
Flavour & Texture
5/5
Consumption Recommendation
The Greenback Triple Chocolate Protein Bar is a fantastic snack for shorter hikes or as a mid-morning energy booster. While it’s not a high-protein option, its natural ingredients and digestibility make it a guilt-free indulgence you can enjoy regularly.
Where to buy Greenback Triple Choc Protein Bars?
Check out the Greenback Website to buy a bulk pack of 12 protein bars. Want to try some of their flavours but not sure which one you'll like?
Check out this quick flavour comparison post I made on Instagram to help make up your mind.
Protein Bar FAQs
What's whey protein isolate?
Whey protein isolate (WPI) is a highly purified form of whey protein that contains over 90% protein with minimal fat, carbohydrates, and lactose. It’s rapidly absorbed by the body, making it an excellent choice for muscle recovery post-exercise, and a common ingredient in high protein bars.
Whey protein isolate is especially popular for those wanting lean protein supplements with fewer calories, or those who are lactose intolerant.
When's the best time for hikers to eat protein bars for performance and why?
Protein bars like this one are ideal for pre-hike fuel or post-hike muscle recovery. This bar is a well rounded option that will give you energy in the form of carbohydrates and fats as well as the protein.
Does this bar provide enough protein for hikers?
At 10g of protein, it’s enough to support muscle repair and recovery on the go when paired with additional protein sources, but for tough days on the trail, I'd recommend eating two instead.
Where can I find more protein bar reviews?
Follow @thehikersnutritionist on Instagram for regular short high protein bar reviews and flavour comparisons. Otherwise, stay tuned to this website each week for a new protein bar review every single week.
Why is dark chocolate more bitter than milk chocolate?
Dark chocolate is more bitter than milk chocolate because it has a higher cocoa content, no milk solids, and typically fewer added sugars to counteract the natural bitter taste.
Disclaimer
I reached out to the team at Greenback to ask for samples of this protein bar & they kindly sent me a bunch to test. I protect my ability to provide you with my honest opinion because I value my integrity far more than a free snack. I'll never accept payment for reviews, or free products on the contingency that I say what a brand wants.
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