Health Lab Mudcake Plant Protein Bar Review

Welcome to the latest instalment of my 52 Bars in 52 Weeks Protein Bar Review Series. This week I tried the Health Lab Mudcake Plant Protein Bar.

Health Lab is an Aussie-born snacking brand that believes 'life’s sweeter when you celebrate the small everyday things (and wins)!' They aim to make it easy to stay on the healthy eating bandwagon by providing healthy snacks.

Like more and more protein bars on the market, the Health Lab bars are gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

So what's the Health Lab Mudcake Plant Protein Bar like?

Let's find out!

Health Lab Mudcake Plant Protein Bar First Impressions

Protein Bar Quick Details

Price

RRP: $4.50 (or $67.50 for a box of 15 on the Health Lab website)

You can also buy them at Goodness Me (enter 'HIKE10' at checkout for 10% off!)

Flavours available

Cookies & Cream, Mudcake, Choc Caramel Fudge Cake

Protein Bar Packaging

The packaging on the Health Lab Protein Bars is modern, clean, and appealing. I do find it harder to find the flavours as they are written smaller in different coloured fonts, and aren't as obvious as other brands which use completely different colours across the whole packet to denote flavour differences.

I don't like that the nutritional info panel AND ingredients are placed under the fold on the back. I also don't love the marketing messages on the packet. 'Your moment of joy without the guilt' feeds into the mantra that some food is good while other food is bad. That's not the case and I don't love seeing it reinforced in advertising (and yes, messages on protein bars are adverts).

The phrase 'lovingly made in Australia' also seems a bit much given these are made in bulk in a factory somewhere. If they were handmade in a kitchen then sure, but I'm almost certain that's not the case.

Protein Bar Nutritional Claims

• Vegan

• Gluten-free

• Zero sugar alcohols

• Non-GMO

• Clean ingredients

• Aussie-made

Protein Bar Taste Test

Protein Bar Appearance

This bar looks like it's going to be rich. It's very dark in colour – probably the first bar that visually looks like it's going to be dark chocolate.

Protein Bar Aroma

It has an artificial chocolate liquor aroma. It's very strong and rich, but smells appealing.

Protein Bar Texture

This has a soft, creamy, spongey texture overall. There's a hint of crunch throughout but it's inconsistent – you can see one of those lighter coloured crunchy bits in the photo.

It's extremely soft, almost like a just solidified mousse.

Protein Bar Flavour

This bar is like a slice of decadent mud cake made more solid. It's a dark chocolate flavour overall and tastes like an adult cake.

By way of comparison, the Athena Nutrition Choc Protein Bar from a few weeks ago tastes like a milky chocolate sponge cake and couldn't be more different to this one. It's also a lot richer in flavour than the Bondi Protein Mud Cake Flavoured Protein Bar.

The bar isn't overly milky but it's also not remotely bitter and has plenty of sweetness present. It's smooth, creamy, and dark chocolate with the occasional chocolate liquor hint.

It's extremely moreish and the aftertaste extends the experience in a good way. If you don't like chocolate you might find this slightly sickly by the end, but if you ate half, wrapped it up, and then finished it later, that would stop that.

Overall, fantastic. Really well executed dark chocolate flavour.

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

It's the ultimate treat for people who love a bit of decadence and rich flavour. Definitely one to savour and eat slowly.

Protein Bar Nutritional Analysis

Ingredients List

Tapioca Fibre, Dark Choc, Plant Protein (Faba Bean, Rice Protein), Brown Rice Syrup, Sunflower Oil, Cocoa Powder, Vegetable Glycerine, Soy Protein Crisps, Cashew Butter, Natural Flavour, Sea Salt, Soy Lecithin, Monk Fruit, Vitamin E.

Contains Cashew, Soy.

May contain: Peanut, Almond, Brazil Nut, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Pecan, Pine Nut, Pistachio, Walnut, Milk, Egg, Sesame, Sulphites, Lupin.

• Protein: Faba Bean Protein, Rice Protein, Soy Protein Crisps

• Fibre source: Tapioca Fibre

• Carbs source: Brown Rice Syrup, Dark Choc

• Fat source: Sunflower Oil, Cashew Butter

• Artificial ingredients: Vegetable Glycerine, Soy Lecithin

These ingredients are generally ones that I aim to avoid:

• Sunflower Oil: High in omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation if consumed excessively without balancing omega-3 intake.

• Vegetable Glycerine: Although generally safe, in large amounts, it can cause digestive discomfort. I'm not sure exactly how much is in this bar but it can have a compounding effect if you're eating other products in the same day which are also using it, or ingredients similar to it. Worth keeping in mind, and justification for testing this bar out at home before taking it on the trail to ensure that it agrees with you.

Nutrition Information Panel

Protein

10.2g of protein per bar provides moderate muscle recovery support, though less than most protein-focused bars (20g is considered high protein). The combination of faba bean and rice proteins provides complementary amino acids but falls short of the completeness of animal proteins like whey.

Carbs

16.1g carbs with 7.7g sugars offers a quick energy boost, useful for short-term performance on hikes. Tapioca fibre and brown rice syrup provide a mix of slow and fast-digesting carbs, for consistent and stable energy release – this is excellent.

Fat

7g total fat (3.8g saturated) is moderate, contributing to satiety and sustained energy. Cashew butter adds heart-healthy fats, while sunflower oil is less ideal due to its omega-6 profile. Overall, not too bad.

Sodium

At 80mg, the sodium content is low, which is great for everyday snacking but insufficient to replace salts lost during strenuous hikes in hot conditions. You'll need an electrolyte too.

Fibre

9.5g is impressive for a small bar and supports digestive health during hikes. Tapioca fibre adds bulk and helps with satiety. If you're not used to having the recommended amount of fibre (much of the population is deficient due to insufficient fruit and veg intake), make sure to test this one at home first to avoid suddenly efficient digestion on the trail.

Key Takeaways Health Lab Mudcake Plant Protein Bar

Protein Bar

• Cost per bar: $4.50

• Cost per 100g: $8.18

• Cost per gram of protein: $0.44

Flavour

5/5

Want to give it a taste? Goodness Me sells Health Lab products and have offered up a 10% discount if you pop 'HIKE10' in at the checkout.

Consumption Recommendation

This bar is ideal as a pre-hike snack, providing a quick energy boost from carbs and moderate protein to support muscle preservation. Its high fibre content may not suit consumption during strenuous activity, as it could cause bloating for sensitive individuals. It can also work as a light recovery snack for shorter hikes.

Protein Bar FAQs

What is tapioca fibre?

Tapioca fibre is derived from the cassava root. It’s a prebiotic fibre that supports gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria and adding bulk to foods.

Does the combination of Faba Bean Protein Isolate and Rice Protein Isolate make a complete protein?

No. While the combination improves amino acid coverage, it lacks sufficient methionine and lysine compared to animal-based proteins.

Is sunflower oil an ingredient that should be avoided?

Sunflower oil isn’t inherently bad, but it’s high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can disrupt the omega-6 to omega-3 balance if consumed in excess, promoting inflammation. Most people don't get enough omega-3 which is why products high in omega-6 are often touted as more unhealthy. Really it's more about getting the balance right.

What is Vegetable Glycerine?

Vegetable glycerine is a sugar alcohol derived from plant oils. It acts as a humectant, keeping foods moist. It’s generally safe but can cause gastrointestinal issues if consumed in large amounts.

Is monk fruit sweetener a healthy choice?

Yes, monk fruit sweetener is a natural, zero-calorie option with no known adverse effects. It doesn’t impact blood sugar, making it a good choice for those managing glucose levels.

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 Health Lab Protein Bar from Goodness Me. 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.