Athena Luxe Protein Plus Iron Choc Caramel Protein Bar Review

Welcome to the latest instalment of my 52 Bars in 52 Weeks Protein Bar Review Series. This week I very happily chomped my way through the Athena Luxe Protein Plus Iron Choc Caramel Protein Bar, and it scored really well for flavour!

It always makes me feel funny to see food that's advertised as being specifically for one gender vs another. While males and females can have different calorie and macronutrient needs, I tend to think it's more of a quantity difference that's important. Food is food. There's nothing males eat that females shouldn't and vice versa.

So while the phrase 'made by female athletes for athletic women' sounds cool and should probably make this feel more appealing to me, it just makes me a bit sceptical.

Athena Luxe Protein Plus Iron Choc Caramel Protein Bar First Impressions

Protein Bar Quick Details

Price

RRP: $4.50 (or $53.88 for a box of 12 on the Athena Nutrition website)

Flavours available

Cookies & Cream, Choc Caramel, Hokey Pokey

*At the time of publishing Athena Nutrition offers 25% off your first purchase on their website – pretty good introductory offer!

Protein Bar Packaging

I really like the colours used on the packaging of this bar. They are bright, have high contrast and it looks appealing. I'm not a fan of using %RDI intake to communicate the contents of bars. The average person (myself included) doesn't hold the RDI of nutrients in their memory so it's pretty meaningless.

I also don't like the placement of the nutritional info panel and ingredients as they wrap around the edge of the bar – not optimal for actually reading them. I do like that they're not under the fold, but it's not a huge improvement.

Protein Bar Nutritional Claims

• 15g Protein

• 25% RDI^ Iron

• Vitamin C

• Low Carb

• No artificial colours & flavours

It sounds like I'm really hating on this bar so far, but I swear it's just the packaging! (And I did say I loved the colours!). Seeing warning labels hidden not only under the fold but in the crease really ticks me off.

Warning labels need to be clear and obvious and look at all that empty blue space in the middle where it could have gone instead!

Protein Bar Taste Test

Protein Bar Appearance

This bar looks delicious. It reminds me of a Tim Tam on the outside and the inside looks mouth-wateringly good. Are those dark chocolate chips? Is that a layer of white chocolate? I'm keen to taste.

Protein Bar Aroma

This has a rich and decadent dark chocolate aroma. It smells sweet and unhealthy in the most appealing way. It's easily the most intense chocolate aroma that I've come across so far, bodes well for choc-a-holics out there!

Protein Bar Texture

The first thing you notice is that the outer chocolate coating melts under your fingers (motivation to eat this quick!). The bar itself is dense but spongey. Kind of akin to biting into a rich cake, but you'll just need a few more chews to get through it.

Each layer has a distinct texture which is really refreshing and makes every bite enjoyable with a bit of crunch, a bit of silkiness, and a bit of doughy resistance.

Protein Bar Flavour

This bar from Athena tastes exactly like it smells. That might sound odd to point out but SO MANY bars smell amazing and then taste like an extremely diluted version of that aroma. This bar matches its aroma to a tee. And it's awesome.

The coating and inside of the bar both taste like chocolate but they balance very well. It's a beautiful milky chocolate flavour – no hint of caramel though, which is odd given it's a 'chocolate caramel' bar. There's the occasional hit of silky sweetness which I suspect is the caramel aspect but it certainly needs to be stronger if it's going to be labelled as caramel.

This bar could be slightly sickly for some but for chocolate lovers, I can imagine no better bar. There's no bitterness whatsoever and the aftertaste is lovely. It tastes wonderfully unhealthy without giving artificial vibes and is a great choice for when you just want something sweet.

Rating out of 5 (0= terrible, 5= amazing): 5/5

This one tastes amazing. My fellow tester and I were both huge fans. While it's labelled a caramel bar and we didn't really get that, the flavour is awesome and it's more an issue that it's been named incorrectly. This beast of a bar is a double chocolate for sure. It also has brilliant texture.

Protein Bar Nutritional Analysis

Ingredients List

Soy Protein Nuggets (25%) (Soy Protein Isolate, Tapioca Starch, Salt), No Added Sugar Milk Choc Protein Compound (19%) (Vegetable Fat, Sweetener (Erythritol), Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), Milk Solids, Soy Protein Isolate, Cocoa Powder, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Natural Flavour), Almonds (16%), Humectants (Sorbitol, Glycerol), Brown Rice Syrup, Isomalto-oligosaccharide, Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), Mineral (Calcium Citrate), Cocoa Powder, Vegetable Fat Natural Flavour, Salt, Cinnamon, Natural Sweetener (Monk Fruit Extract).

• Protein sources: Soy Protein Nuggets (Soy Protein Isolate), Soy Protein Isolate in No Added Sugar Milk Choc Protein Compound.

• Fibre source: Polydextrose, Isomalto-oligosaccharide, Almonds

• Carbs source: Brown Rice Syrup, Isomalto-oligosaccharide

• Fat source: Vegetable Fat, Almonds

• Artificial ingredients: Sweetener (Erythritol), Humectants (Sorbitol, Glycerol), Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin)

Most of this looks pretty good, but there are a few ingredients I don't like to see included:

1. Sorbitol and Glycerol: Can cause digestive discomfort, especially in sensitive individuals or when consumed in large quantities. Glycerol content is low enough that it shouldn't do this, but I'm not sure how much sorbitol is in there. If you have multiple products with you with ingredients like this, it can have a compounding effect (something to be mindful of) but in isolation, it's generally fine.

2. Vegetable Fat: Often high in saturated fats, contributing to higher cholesterol if consumed in excess.

Nutrition Information Panel

Protein

15g of protein per 55g bar (27% protein content) is a good amount for muscle recovery after hikes or workouts. Soy protein is a complete protein source, though generally less bioavailable than whey.

Carbohydrates

4.6g of carbs with 3.8g sugars and 7.5g fibre makes it low-carb and high-fibre. This balance supports steady energy release without blood sugar spikes.

Fat

11.6g of fat, including 6.2g of saturated fat, is moderate. The saturated fat content is slightly high but balanced by unsaturated fats from almonds. Provides sustained energy for long hikes.

Sodium

At 103mg, the sodium level is low. This is suitable for everyday snacks but won't replace an electrolyte supplement on the trail.

Fibre

7.5g is excellent for digestive health, especially on long hikes where high-fibre snacks may help maintain regularity.

Vitamins & Minerals

Iron (3mg) contributes 25% of the RDI, which is useful for hikers who may struggle with fatigue. Vitamin C (4.5mg) is low but supports iron absorption.

Key Takeaways Athena Luxe Protein Plus Iron Choc Caramel Protein Bar

Do I think this protein bar is only suitable for women? Not even remotely. It strikes me as a bit odd to market a food product to one half of the market. Men also benefit from extra iron and calcium & frankly, the amounts are so small in a single snack bar that it's unlikely to change much. Is it delicious though? Yes. Would I happily eat one? Yes.

Protein Bar (55g)

• Cost per bar: $4.50

• Cost per 100g: $8.18

• Cost per gram of protein: $0.30

Flavour

5/5

Consumption Recommendation

This bar is best consumed mid-morning or as a snack on moderate hikes where a steady energy boost and protein are needed. For strenuous hikes, pair it with an electrolyte drink and a carb-heavy snack. It also works well as a post-hike recovery snack on shorted days due to its protein content.

Protein Bar FAQs

How is this protein bar from Athena different for women compared to a standard protein bar?

This bar targets women's nutritional needs with added calcium (for bone health) and iron (to combat common deficiencies in women). However, both genders can benefit from it.

Why are protein bars often not recommended for those under 15?

High protein and certain artificial ingredients can strain the kidneys of younger individuals, whose nutritional needs are different. It’s a regulatory precaution rather than a strict health risk.

Is collagen protein better than whey protein for hikers?

Collagen supports joint and skin health, which is beneficial for hikers, but lacks the complete amino acid profile of whey. Whey remains superior for muscle recovery.

What are the pros and cons of collagen protein?

Pros: Boosts joint, skin, and tendon health; easily digestible.

Cons: Incomplete protein, lacks certain amino acids; less effective for muscle recovery.

When's the best time for hikers to eat protein bars for performance and why?

High protein bars like this are ideal for pre-hike fuel or post-hike muscle recovery. The protein and fibre help stabilise blood sugar, providing sustained energy on tough trails or a protein boost right after a strenuous climb.

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.

Where can I find more protein bar reviews?

Follow @thehikersnutritionist on Instagram for regular protein bar reviews and flavour comparisons. Otherwise, stay tuned to this website for a new protein bar review every single week.

Disclaimer

I purchased this Athena Nutrition Protein Bar from Chemist Warehouse. 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.