IQ BAR Peanut Butter Chip — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates IQ BAR Peanut Butter Chip by IQ BAR ENGINEERED — score 30/90.

A lab-formulated protein bar built for macros and marketing, not a whole food. Whole nuts lead, but isolated pea protein, tapioca fiber and starch, natural flavors, gum acacia and lecithin stack up into an engineered snack dressed as clean.

Why this verdict

• Roughly 18 ingredients, most past the nuts are refined isolates
• Isolated pea protein plus pea protein crisps drive the protein, not whole food
• Tapioca fiber and tapioca starch are processed isolates added for texture and net-carb math
• Gum acacia and sunflower lecithin form a stabilizer/emulsifier stack
• Stevia plus natural flavors engineer the sweetness and taste

Ingredients (16)

• Nuts (Peanuts, Almonds) (safe) — Whole nuts leading the list bring healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
• TAPIOCA FIBER (moderate) — Isolated prebiotic fiber used to pad the fiber count; fine but a processed additive, and can cause bloating in some.
• Plant Based Protein Crisps (Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch) (moderate) — Engineered crunch: isolated pea protein bound with refined tapioca starch. Adds protein but is a fabricated component.
• Natural Flavors (moderate) — Undisclosed proprietary flavor compounds; a hallmark of engineered, formulated food.
• Pea Protein (safe) — High-quality plant protein, complete with lysine and good for muscle recovery.
• Flaxseeds (safe) — Whole seed, omega-3 ALA and fiber. A genuine plus.
• peanut flour (safe) — Defatted ground peanut; adds protein and peanut flavor.
• unsweetened chocolate++ (safe) — Real chocolate with cocoa solids; a positive whole ingredient.
• gum acacia (moderate) — Emulsifier/stabilizer for texture; generally tolerated but a processed additive.
• Coconut Oil (safe) — Saturated fat used in small amount for texture.
• Cocoa Butter (safe) — Natural fat from the cocoa bean; a clean ingredient.
• Sunflower Lecithin (moderate) — An emulsifier used to bind the bar; generally recognized as safe but a marker of processed formulation.
• Sea Salt (safe) — Standard seasoning in small amounts.
• Non GMO Steviol Glycosides (safe) — Plant-based zero-calorie sweetener; single sweetener, no sugar, a genuine plus over sugar-loaded bars.
• Lion's Mane (safe) — Mushroom extract added for 'brain nutrient' marketing; the dose is too small to do much.
• Vitamin E (safe) — Added antioxidant vitamin, minor benefit, also props up the 'body nutrients' pitch.