Team Nutrition Salted Caramel Crunch Protein Bar Review
- Jess Nehme
- Jan 30
- 6 min read
Welcome to the latest instalment of my 52 Bars in 52 Weeks Protein Bar Review Series. This week I took a look at the Team Nutrition Salted Caramel Crunch Protein Bar.
Team Nutrition was started by a father and son team looking to balance flavour with affordability in protein bars. It's a nice origin story that you can read about on the Team Nutrition website.
Starting from their kitchen bench the brand has now grown into a successful business and the bars are stocked in Woolworths supermarkets.
Protein bars are the only product this brand offers (right now) so their full attention is on just four protein bars – I'm very optimistic about this one. Let's see how it tastes!
Team Nutrition Salted Caramel Crunch Protein Bar First Impressions
Protein Bar Quick Details
Price
RRP: $3.90 per bar, available at Woolworths.
Flavours available
Mint Crisp, Choc Crunch, Strawberry Cream, and Salted Caramel Crunch.
Protein Bar Packaging
This Team Nutrition packaging looks modern and clean in precisely the way the Atkins Creamy Caramel Protein Bar packaging does not. The fonts are clear and easy to read and the white background really helps it stand out on the shelf.
The picture of the bar looks exactly like the bar inside the wrapper and the nutrition information panel is clearly displayed on the back of the bar. I also like the inclusion of the motto 'Stronger Together' on the back of the packaging which emphasizes the inclusive nature of the brand (no 'I' in team pals). Love it.
Protein Bar Nutritional Claims
15g protein
3g sugar
Protein snack
No intense sweeteners
Interestingly Team Nutrition is calling this a 'protein snack' rather than a protein bar on the packaging. This seems a bit odd – it's clearly a bar and they refer to them as such on their website. Also interesting is the inclusion of a * after the 15g and 3g on the front of the packet. There's no resulting key on the packet so this was an odd choice. After looking at the nutrition panel I think they've done it because there's actually 15.9g of protein and 3.1g of carbohydrates (including just 2.2g of sugar). They've rounded down for the protein and up for the sugars, which is a bit strange.
What I do like is that they don't use intense sweeteners (basically artificial sugars that are many times sweeter than sugar). Instead, they use sugar alcohols which are only about 40-80% as sweet as sugar.
Protein Bar Taste Test
Protein Bar Appearance
My word does this protein bar look appealing! I was pretty darn excited to try this one. After bumping around in my backpack for a day it was a little beaten up by the time I took it out to have a taste – some caramel was leaking through the cracked chocolate making it a bit sticky – but it still looked good.
Check out those crunchy caramel bits on the outside!
Protein Bar Aroma
The Team Nutrition Bar had a very strong, almost overwhelming, aroma of caramel. It has the intensity of a really intense cup of coffee.
Protein Bar Texture
This is a very soft bar. I thought the Muscle Nation Pistachio Bar from last week was soft, but this one is softer again. There's a consistent firm doughiness to the bar (basically it's consistently soft), with pops of bubble-like crunch throughout. These pops of crunch are very subtle though.
Overall it's fine, but not exciting like I was expecting with the word 'crunch' in the name.
Protein Bar Flavour
The aftertaste is stronger than the actual taste of the bar itself – something I always find a bit disappointing. It's a sugary caramel flavour and I couldn't taste chocolate at all.
I couldn't actually taste anything from the bar until eight chews in – which is a pretty decent amount of time. Once the subtle flavour hits it's quite artificial. I wasn't blown away by the taste.
Rating out of 5 (0= terrible, 5= amazing): 3/5
I really wanted to love this bar after reading about the brand and how much work has gone into developing the products. But I wanted more flavour and it didn't taste natural (probably due to the artificial sweeteners).
Protein Bar Digestibility
No adverse side effects were noted by either of the two taste testers.
Protein Bar Nutritional Analysis
Ingredients List
Team Nutrition Protein Blend [Whey Protein Isolate (Milk), Calcium Caseinate (Milk), Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen, Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Soy Protein Isolate], Polydextrose, No Added Sugar Milk Choc (20%) [Sweetener (965), Vegetable Fat, Milk Solids, Cocoa Solids, Emulsifier (Soy 322), Natural Flavour], Humectant (422), Maltitol, Sorbitol, Vegetable Oil, Soy Protein Crisps, Salted Caramel Crunch Sprinkle (2%), Vegetable Fat, Natural Flavour [Caramel], Natural Colour (150a), Salt (0.1%), Emulsifier (322 (Soy)), Antioxidant (Mixed Tocopherols).
Protein sources: Whey Protein Isolate (Milk), Calcium Caseinate (Milk), Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen, Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Soy Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Crisps.
Fibre source: Polydextrose.
Carbs source: Maltitol, Sorbitol, Glycerol.
Fat sources: Vegetable Fat, Milk Solids, Cocoa Solids.
Artificial Ingredients: Sweeteners (965, Maltitol, Sorbitol), Humectant (422), Emulsifiers (Soy 322, 322), Natural Colours (150a), Antioxidant (Mixed Tocopherols).
Nutrition Information Panel
Protein
With 15.9g of protein per 55g bar, this bar from Team Nutrition is a solid source of protein, derived from high-quality sources like whey protein isolate, casein, and collagen. The balance of fast-digesting and slow-digesting proteins is beneficial for sustained energy and muscle recovery during and after hikes.
Carbohydrates
The bar contains 8g of fat, of which 4.9g is saturated. While the fat content is moderate and helps provide energy for extended activity, the relatively high level of saturated fat could be less desirable for regular consumption.
However, for hikers needing calorie-dense foods, this can be acceptable as part of an overall balanced diet.
Fat
At only 3.1g of carbs, including 2.2g of sugars, the Team Nutrition Salted Caramel Crunch Protein Bar is low in carbohydrates, which could limit its effectiveness as a quick energy source on trails. Unless you're reserving it for recovery at the end of the day, pair it with other carb-rich snacks for sustained energy.
The use of sugar alcohols like maltitol and sorbitol provides sweetness without adding much sugar but may cause digestive discomfort in some individuals. The maltitol content especially is slightly high.
Sodium
The sodium content is 118mg, which is still quite low. This can help replenish some sodium lost through sweat but should be supplemented with an electrolyte to ensure you're replacing the micronutrients you lose with sweat.
Fibre
With 7.4g of fibre, the bar is a strong source of dietary fibre, and great to offset other processed meals you may be eating on trail. This supports digestive health and promotes a feeling of fullness.
However, fibre intake higher than your regular intake during physical activity could lead to gastrointestinal discomfort for some individuals, so if you don't normally eat much fibre (most of the population tends not to), make sure to trail these in training and/or build up your normal fibre intake before you head out.
Key Takeaways Team Nutrition Salted Caramel Crunch Protein Bar
Protein Bar (55g)
Cost per bar: $3.90
Cost per 100g: $7.09
Cost per gram of protein: $0.24
Flavour
3/5
Final Thoughts
This bar is a good protein-dense option for hikers seeking muscle repair and satiety on the trail. Its moderate fat content contributes to long-lasting energy, but the low carbohydrate level means it’s best paired with a higher-carb snack like dried fruit or trail mix.
Due to the inclusion of sugar alcohols, hikers with sensitive stomachs should test tolerance during training before relying on it during long hikes. I was a bit disappointed with the subtlety of the flavour, but remember that taste is subjective!
Protein Bar FAQs
Are sugar alcohols bad for you?
Sugar alcohols like the ones included in this bar (maltitol, sorbitol and glycerol), are generally considered safe. They're used as sugar substitutes in sugar-free products. Dentists LOVE them because they don't contribute to tooth decay like sugar does.
When eaten in excess they can have laxative effects and cause bloating and gas (everything we try to avoid on a hike!). Some people tolerate them better than others so it's always recommended to test bars with these ingredients at home first before relying on them on the trail.
What is Maltitol?
Maltitol is a sugar alcohol often used in 'sugar-free' protein bars. While it has fewer calories than sugar, it can lead to tummy troubles like bloating and gas if consumed in large amounts.
Look for bars with natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit instead! A good rule of thumb? Less than 10g per 100g keeps your gut happy. You'll notice this bar has 12.9g/100g.
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 bought this Team Nutrition Protein Bar from my local Woolies (with great excitement because I hadn't seen it there before!). My opinions are my own and aside from a tasty snack, I received no other benefit or kickback for sharing my opinions.
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