IQ BAR Chocolate Sea Salt — OKAY
Munch or Dump rates IQ BAR Chocolate Sea Salt by IQ BAR OKAY — score 58/90.
A genuinely clean protein bar: almonds and pea protein up top, real cocoa and coconut oil, no added sugar and no artificial junk. Still a processed bar, but the ingredients are recognizable.
Why this verdict
- Almonds and pea protein lead the list, not sugar or starch
- No added sugar; sweetened only with stevia
- Fats come from whole foods: cocoa, cocoa butter, coconut oil
- No maltodextrin, artificial colors, or emulsifiers
- Still a processed bar with vague 'natural flavors'
Ingredients (12)
- Almonds (safe) — Whole nut, healthy fats, protein, fiber, and vitamin E.
- Pea Protein Blend (incl. pea protein crisps) (safe) — Isolated plant protein plus crisps bound with a little tapioca starch. Real protein, minimal processing.
- Natural Flavors (safe) — Flavor compounds derived from natural sources.
- Prebiotic Blend (Tapioca Fiber, Vegetable Fiber) (safe) — Added fiber for gut health and to lower net carbs. Fine in moderation; large amounts can cause bloating.
- Cocoa (safe) — Provides the chocolate note; present as 'a hint,' well below sugar and oil.
- Coconut Oil (safe) — Plant fat used for the shell coating.
- unsweetened chocolate++ (safe) — Real cocoa solids for flavor.
- Cocoa Butter (safe) — The natural fat of the cacao bean.
- Sea Salt (moderate) — Sodium source; no nutritional edge over regular salt.
- Lion's Mane (safe) — Mushroom extract added for 'brain nutrient' marketing; the dose is too small to do much.
- Stevia Plant Extract (safe) — Plant-derived, zero-calorie sweetener. Better than sugar or sugar alcohols.
- Vitamin E (safe) — Added antioxidant vitamin, minor benefit, also props up the 'body nutrients' pitch.