Afternoon snackers watching portion calories
If you plan for one bar at tea break, the kcal figure for the whole bar matters more immediately than the figure per 100g. Bar weights and nutrition vary, so compare the exact flavour and serving.
Who is this choice for?
Snackers comparing protein with portion size
A protein figure is more useful alongside the bar’s weight and calories. For example, Myprotein lists 18g protein in a 45g Lean Protein Bar; Barebells lists 20g in its 55g Cookies & Cream bar.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
Check the current pack for the exact flavour, especially if milk, soya, peanuts, nuts, gluten-containing ingredients or sweeteners affect your choice. Ingredient lists and warnings can differ between bars.
What should you compare?
Start with the whole-bar serving, then decide whether its protein, ingredients and pack format work for your afternoon break.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-bar calories | Read kcal per bar and bar weight for the exact flavour. Myprotein lists 152 kcal per 45g Lean Protein Bar; Tesco lists 171 kcal per 45g Barebells Pistachio Spread bar. | I’m planning to eat one bar, so its whole-bar calories need to fit the snack allowance I have in mind. |
| Protein and portion | Compare protein grams with kcal and serving weight. Barebells lists 20g protein and 190 kcal for its 55g Cookies & Cream bar; Grenade lists 20g and 218 kcal for Peanut Nutter. | If I want more protein from this break, I can decide whether the particular bar’s portion and calories work for me. |
| Full nutrition panel | Read sugars and fibre where declared, as well as calories; check the ingredient list for sweeteners. A low-sugar message does not give the whole bar’s calorie figure. | I’d rather choose from the complete panel than rely on a claim on the front of the wrapper. |
| Ingredients and warnings | Check allergens, may-contain statements and any excessive-consumption warning on the current pack. Tesco advises checking the physical label because food formulations can change. | Before buying a multipack, I need to know whether that exact flavour’s ingredients and warnings work for me. |
Common buying mistakes
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Comparing per 100g figures but missing the bar size
A 45g bar and a 60g bar are different portions. If you expect to eat the whole bar, its per-bar kcal figure answers the immediate snack question.
Check kcal per bar first. Use per 100g figures as an additional way to compare products, not as a substitute for the portion you will eat.
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Taking a protein or sugar claim as a calorie figure
Barebells lists 20g protein and 190 kcal for its Cookies & Cream bar, while PhD lists 20g protein and 238 calories per serving for its Smart Bar Cookies & Cream. The protein figure alone does not tell you the calories.
Read serving weight, calories, protein and sugars together for the exact product.
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Buying a multipack before checking the label
Allergens and sweetener warnings differ between the bars and flavours discussed here. Finding an unsuitable ingredient after buying a box limits which bars you can use.
Check the current ingredient list, allergen declarations and warnings for the exact flavour before ordering a multipack.
Brand and retailer references
These figures describe the named products and flavours, not every bar from each brand.
Myprotein
Myprotein lists its Lean Protein Bar at 152 kcal and 18g protein per 45g bar.
- The stated whole-bar figures make it straightforward to compare a smaller portion with larger bars.
- Check the chosen flavour’s current ingredients and dietary suitability rather than applying one flavour’s details to the range.
Barebells
Tesco lists 171 kcal and 15g protein for the 45g Pistachio Spread bar; Barebells lists 190 kcal and 20g protein for its 55g Cookies & Cream bar.
- The two named bars offer different portion sizes and stated protein amounts to compare.
- Both product listings include sweetener or excessive-consumption cautions; check allergens on the exact pack.
Grenade
Grenade lists 20g protein and 218 kcal for its Peanut Nutter bar.
- The named bar provides a stated whole-bar calorie and protein figure for comparison.
- Peanut Nutter contains peanuts, milk and soya and carries an excessive-consumption warning relating to polyols.
PhD
PhD lists 20g protein and 238 calories per serving for its Smart Bar Cookies & Cream.
- Its stated protein and calorie figures allow a direct check against a planned snack allowance.
- Confirm the serving and current nutrition panel for the flavour you intend to buy.
Tesco
Tesco lists protein bars from different brands and supplies product-level food information.
- Individual listings can help you check the named bar’s serving and nutrition details.
- Tesco advises reading the physical pack because ingredients, nutrition and allergens can change.
Protein bars on Joybuy
These Joybuy options include Grenade bars in several flavours and a Nature Valley peanut-and-chocolate bar. Compare the current pack’s whole-bar calories and protein before choosing one for an afternoon break.
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Grenade Soft Core Double Chocolate, 12 × 50g
For a 50g tea-break portion, check the Double Chocolate bar’s current kcal and protein figures against your planned snack. This is a pack of 12; check its milk, soya and sweetener information before ordering.
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Grenade Soft Core Golden Caramel, 12 × 50g
Golden Caramel gives you another 50g portion to compare by its whole-bar nutrition panel, rather than flavour alone. The pack contains 12 bars; check the current milk, soya and sweetener declarations.
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Grenade Soft Core Peanut Butter, 12 × 50g
If you prefer a peanut-butter flavour, compare this 50g bar’s current calories and protein with the other afternoon-snack options. The pack contains 12 bars; check peanut, milk, soya and sweetener declarations before buying.
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Grenade Oreo Flavour protein bars, 4 × 60g
This 60g bar is a larger portion than the 50g Soft Core flavours, so check its whole-bar calories alongside protein before making it your afternoon snack. The pack contains four bars; read the current allergen and sweetener information.
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Nature Valley Protein Peanut & Chocolate, 4 × 40g
The 40g portion may suit a shorter tea break, but bar weight alone cannot tell you its calories or protein: check both for the whole bar. This is a pack of four; read the current peanut and other allergen declarations.
Questions about choosing a bar
How do I compare bars for an afternoon tea break?
Start with kcal per whole bar and its serving weight, then compare protein. Myprotein lists 152 kcal for its 45g Lean Protein Bar; Tesco lists 171 kcal for a 45g Barebells Pistachio Spread bar, while Barebells lists 190 kcal for its 55g Cookies & Cream bar. Choose against your own planned snack allowance and check the exact flavour.
Does a bar with fewer calories necessarily contain less protein?
No. Myprotein lists 18g protein and 152 kcal for its 45g Lean Protein Bar, whereas Tesco lists 15g protein and 171 kcal for the 45g Barebells Pistachio Spread bar. Compare both figures on the bar you intend to buy.
What if I need to check food allergens?
Read the ingredient and allergen information on the exact current pack before buying or eating a bar. The named products have different declared ingredients and may-contain statements, so a previous flavour or a general brand description is not enough for that check.
Why do some bars carry an excessive-consumption warning?
The warning appears on several of the named products that contain sweeteners or polyols. Grenade states that Peanut Nutter contains more than 10g polyols per 100g and warns of a possible laxative effect from excessive consumption; Barebells’ named bars also carry an excessive-consumption warning. Read the wording on the flavour’s current pack.