protein bar review: no cow bar

Yes, that's the name of it:  No Cow Bar by D's Naturals. 

It's a vegan protein bar.  According to their website, they're "all natural, no-sugar added and vegan friendly as well as free of gluten, dairy, soy and lactose."  Rather than whey or milk protein, they use plant-based protein.  These bars don't have any added sugar (just 1 to 2g), and barely any sugar alcohols (just 3 to 4g),which I like. Fat is low, as well, at just 2.5g.  Calories are about 160-170, which is pretty good for a protein bar.

My initial thought on taste was, "Blech!"  I realize now that my initial reaction was more of a reaction to the texture than taste.  That said, though, I don't care all that much for the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough flavor.  I just don't get a lot of peanut butter taste from it. It kind of all melded together to taste like a generic protein bar.  I also tried the Mint Cacao Chip and Blueberry Cobbler.  I think the mint one is my favorite:  it was chocolate-y and minty, and very satisfying.  I also enjoyed the blueberry, which wasn't too sweet tasting.  Something I noticed about the blueberry, though, is that it was a bit oily on the outside.  I don't know if it's because Bob took a bite (he didn't like it) and then I put it away for awhile before finishing it, and therefore the air exposure made it oily, or if it was that way to begin with.  I just didn't notice.

The plant-based protein changes the texture somewhat.  It's not like a Quest Bar that's pretty firm and mostly smooth.  No Cow Bars are softer and a little gritty.  It's not unpleasant, though.  According to their website the texture comes from the plant-based protein; however, I tend to think it comes more from the almonds in it.  They're very small, but they create a bit of a crunch, which I like. 

Overall, I found these bars to be good.  And I like that they don't have a lot of sugar alcohols, which usually make my stomach a little queasy. They're satisfying and taste pretty good.  The fact that they use plant-based protein is one reason why I wouldn't buy them very often, though, since I'm supposed to be sticking to protein isolates.  Isolates break down faster in the body, which is what a gastric bypass surgery patient needs.  But I would have one once in while in a pinch or as a treat.