David Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bar — ENGINEERED
Munch or Dump rates David Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bar by David ENGINEERED — score 35/90.
David's headline macros of 28g protein, 150 calories, and near-zero fat are a feat of food engineering, not nutrition. The 'zero fat' comes from EPG, a synthetic plant fat the body cannot digest, and part of the protein is collagen, an incomplete protein David has been legally challenged for counting. Four sweeteners build the flavor. It is a lab-designed macro product, and it says so in its own ingredient list.
Why this verdict
- NOVA 4 built around EPG (esterified propoxylated glycerol), a synthetic non-digestible fat replacer that makes the near-zero-fat macro possible
- Protein is padded with collagen, an incomplete protein that inferior for muscle synthesis and the subject of a class-action challenge to David's protein claim
- Four sweeteners stacked (maltitol + allulose + sucralose + acesulfame potassium) to reach 0g sugar
- Soluble corn fiber and tapioca starch inflate carbohydrate/fiber while glycerin and soy lecithin bind the texture
- Whey and milk protein isolate are high quality, but the overall formula is engineered for a macro screenshot, not for food
Ingredients (11)
- Milk protein isolate (safe) — Complete, high-quality dairy protein and the real protein core.
- collagen (moderate) — Incomplete protein used to pad the protein count; weak for muscle synthesis.
- egg white (safe) — Complete protein and an egg allergen.
- maltitol (caution) — Sugar alcohol that still raises blood sugar and is a well-known cause of bloating and diarrhea at bar-sized doses.
- ALLULOSE (safe) — Rare sugar with minimal glycemic impact; generally well tolerated.
- soluble corn fiber (moderate) — Isolated fiber syrup used to bulk fiber and texture; can cause bloating in larger amounts.
- modified plant fat (EPG) (caution) — Esterified propoxylated glycerol, a synthetic non-digestible fat that fakes fat mouthfeel with near-zero calories; can cause GI effects.
- Coconut Oil (moderate) — Saturated fat that sets the shell; keeps it snappy from frozen.
- Natural and Artificial Flavor (moderate) — Includes artificial flavoring behind the fudge taste.
- Sucralose (caution) — Artificial sweetener 600x sweeter than sugar. Calorie-free but keeps the palate trained on intense sweetness and may affect gut bacteria.
- Acesulfame Potassium (caution) — Second artificial sweetener stacked with sucralose.
Healthier alternatives
- RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bar
- Chocolate Sea Salt RXBAR
- Peanut Butter Protein Bar
- RXBAR Blueberry Protein Bar
- Peanut Butter Perfect Bar