BSc Double Chocolate Soft Protein Bar Review

Welcome to the latest instalment of my 52 Bars in 52 Weeks Protein Bar Review Series. This week I taste tested and reviewed the BSc Double Choc Soft Protein Bar at the Team Nutrition Salted Caramel Crunch Protein Bar.

This BSc Double Chocolate Soft Protein Bar was brought to you by the team at BSc (formerly Body Science). They guarantee that anything bearing their logo will be of excellent quality and produce 'athlete standard' products that can be used with confidence by elite sportspeople because all of their products are HASTA certified.

The company began in 1999 and has been on a continuous trend of improvement and innovation every since. They now have a huge product range aimed at improving your mental and physical performance.

The Soft Protein Bar range can be purchased from your local Coles supermarket.

BSc Double Chocolate Soft Protein Bar First Impressions

Protein Bar Quick Details

Price

RRP: $4.50

Flavours available

Banana Chocolate, Double Chocolate

Protein Bar Packaging

The packaging is relatively plain but it means that the fonts are easy to read. The text in the bubbles with the health claims could be slightly bigger so they're easier to read (eg 6.4g fibre, and 16g protein).

They've also popped some of these on the side of the bar in a place that's not particularly obvious which strikes me as an odd choice given how much empty space is on the front of the packaging.

Protein Bar Nutritional Claims

• 16g Protein 

• Less than 3g Sugar

• Good Source of Fibre - 6.4g Fibre

• Gluten-free

• 4.5 Star Health Rating

Protein Bar Taste Test

Protein Bar Appearance

The bar looks like a Milky Way chocolate bar. It's kind of hard to see past actually, I'd swear it was one. Maybe it's using the same mould?

After bouncing around my backpack for a few days it emerged from the packet looking like this – a little beaten up but quite good considering.

Protein Bar Aroma

This BSc Soft Protein Bar has a strong dry cocoa smell. The aroma suggests that it's going to be quite rich.

Protein Bar Texture

The texture is a lot more dense than expected for a 'soft' bar but technically there's no crunch. Maybe it's more of a smooth than a soft bar. Overall it's quite doughy and consistent.

 It looks like it's going to be quite dry, but isn't. The bar congeals more than it dissolves, becoming a rubbery lump in your mouth that very slowly diminishes in size.

The very thin layer you can detect under the chocolate top is slightly cooler and gel-like. It's hard to detect but is there if you really pay attention.

Texture is fine, nothing that blew my mind, but nothing wrong with it either.

Protein Bar Flavour

Immediately upon biting into this bar you're hit with a strong milk chocolate flavour and it becomes richer as you continue to chew. The flavour is full-bodied and rich throughout.

The aftertaste is quite artificial tasting and quite bitter – but it's gone in a flash so I didn't find that it detracted much from the overall experience of the flavour.

Rating out of 5 (0= terrible, 5= amazing): 4/5

This one lost a point because of the artificial aftertaste, and because it wasn't moreish – I didn't want to eat another one. The texture was also quite boring. It wasn't a bar that prompted me to want to remember it so that I could buy it again.

Protein Bar Nutritional Analysis

Ingredients List

Protein Blend (Milk Protein Concentrate, Soy Protein Isolate, Collagen Peptide), Milk Chocolate (25%) (Cocoa Solids, Sweetener (Maltitol), Milk Solids, Soy Protein Isolate, Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, Polyglycerol esters of interesterified Ricinoleic Acid), Natural Flavour), Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), Sweeteners (Maltitol Syrup, Sucralose), Humectant (Glycerol), Soluble Corn Fibre, Sunflower Oil, Cocoa Butter (2.5%), Cocoa Powder (1.5%), Flavour, Water, Isomalto-oligosacharide, Tapioca Dextrin (Soy Lecithin), Salt

Contains: Milk, Soy

May contain: Peanuts, Sesame, Almond, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Pecan, Walnut

• Protein sources: Milk Protein Concentrate, Soy Protein Isolate, Collagen Peptide

• Fibre source: Soluble Corn Fibre, Polydextrose, Tapioca Dextrin, Isomalto-oligosaccharide

• Carbs source: Maltitol Syrup, Milk Chocolate (Cocoa Solids, Sweeteners, Milk Solids)

• Fat source: Sunflower Oil, Cocoa Butter

• Artificial ingredients:, Sweeteners (Maltitol Syrup, Sucralose), Polyglycerol Esters of Interesterified Ricinoleic Acid, Glycerol

Ingredients I'd aim to avoid include:

1. Maltitol and Sucralose: While low-calorie sweeteners, they can cause digestive discomfort (e.g., bloating or laxative effects) if consumed in excess.

2. Sunflower Oil: High in omega-6 fatty acids, potentially promoting inflammation if not balanced with omega-3 intake.

Nutrition Information Panel

Protein

16.3g of protein is excellent for muscle recovery and energy. The combination of milk protein, soy protein, and collagen peptides provides a good amino acid profile, though collagen is incomplete for muscle synthesis. This bar supports recovery after intense hikes but may need supplementation with other protein sources.

Carbohydrates

With only 5.1g of carbs and 2g of sugar, this bar provides minimal energy from carbs. It’s better suited as a low-carb snack rather than a primary energy source during a hike. Maltitol and isomalto-oligosaccharides provide sweetness without a significant glycemic impact.

Fat

At 9.1g total fat (4.2g saturated), the bar has enough to make you feel satisfied without overly being overly filling – this is good for a snack. The inclusion of cocoa butter contributes heart-healthy stearic acid, but sunflower oil’s omega-6 profile is less ideal for anti-inflammatory benefits.

Sodium

With 139mg, this bar provides a small electrolyte boost, supporting hydration but insufficient for replacing sweat losses during strenuous activities.

Fibre

6.4g of fibre aids digestion and promotes fullness, ideal for hikers looking to avoid mid-hike hunger pangs and to offset the effects of eating dehydrated and pre-packaged meals. Ingredients like polydextrose and corn fibre act as prebiotics, supporting gut health.

Key Takeaways BSc Double Chocolate Soft Protein Bar

Protein Bar

• Cost per bar: $4.50

• Cost per 100g: $8.18

• Cost per gram of protein: $0.28

Flavour

4/5

Consumption Recommendation

This protein bar is best consumed post-hike to aid recovery, providing protein for muscle repair and fibre for digestion. Its low carb content makes it less suitable as a pre-hike energy boost unless paired with a carb-rich snack.

You could also have it as a snack along the way but again, it would need to be paired with a carbohydrate-rich snack or some scroggin to ensure you've got enough in the tank to keep going strong.

Protein Bar FAQs

Do Milk Protein Concentrate, Soy Protein Isolate, and Collagen Peptide combined make a complete protein?

Yes, combining these sources provides a complete amino acid profile. However, collagen is low in essential amino acids like tryptophan, so it’s less effective for muscle repair.

What is maltitol, and should I eat it regularly?

Maltitol is a sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener. While safe in moderation, it can cause bloating and laxative effects when consumed in excess.

Should I avoid protein bars with maltitol, sorbitol, and glycerol? Why/Why not?

Not necessarily. These ingredients are safe in moderate amounts but can cause digestive discomfort if consumed excessively or by people with sensitive guts.

What’s the best way to use this protein bar to improve my performance on a hike?

Use this bar as a recovery snack after your hike to replenish protein and promote muscle repair. Pair it with a carb-rich snack during the hike for sustained energy.

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.

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 purchased this BSc protein bar from my local Coles supermarket. 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.