Why is the PROTEIN BAR classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and which additives does it contain?

The bar combines many industrial ingredients, whey protein isolates, chocolate coating, peanut‑based creme, and several refined sugars, plus additives such as titanium dioxide (E170), soy lecithin (E322), citric acid (E330), sorbitol (E420), glycerin (E422), mono‑ and diglycerides (E471) and mixed tocopherols (E306), which together place it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category.

How do the sugar and salt levels in this protein bar affect people with diabetes or hypertension?

With about 30 g of sugar per 100 g, the bar can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for tight diabetic control, while its roughly 1 g of salt per 100 g contributes to daily sodium intake and may elevate blood pressure in hypertensive individuals; moderation or selection of lower‑sugar alternatives is advisable.

Is the peanut creme in this bar a risk for consumers with peanut allergies?

Yes; the ingredient list explicitly includes peanuts, and the product is labelled with a peanut allergen warning, alongside other allergens such as milk, soy and gluten, so anyone with a peanut allergy should avoid this bar.

GATORADE

PROTEIN BAR

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

The PROTEIN BAR is a high‑protein snack classified under the sugary snacks family, delivering about 25 g of protein per 100 g. Its nutritional profile is marked by elevated sugars (≈30 g), saturated fat (≈11 g) and moderate salt (≈1 g), situating it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 group and containing several additives such as E170, E322, E330 and E471. The product also lists common allergens, including milk, peanuts, soy and gluten, and carries no Nutri‑Score (not applicable for dietary supplements), so consumers should balance the protein benefit against its sugar, fat and additive content.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal450 kcal

Added Sugars28.8 g

Iron1.4 mg

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average snack, this protein bar has slightly more sugar (30 g vs 28.98 g) and markedly higher saturated fat (11.25 g vs 7.8 g), while its total fat (16.25 g) and salt (0.97 g) are below the typical values.

Ingredients

Chocolate flavored coating (sugar, vegetable oil [palm kernel and palm oil], whey protein isolate, cocoa [processed with alkali], soy lecithin, natural flavor), whey protein crisp (whey protein concentrate, corn starch, calcium carbonate), peanut creme (peanuts, vegetable oil [palm kernel and palm oil], corn syrup solids, dextrose, sugar, salt, sorbitol, nonfat dry milk, natural flavor, soy lecithin), corn syrup, brown sugar, caramel (glucose, sugar, palm oil, nonfat milk, glycerin, butter [cream, salt], dry whey, corn starch, salt, mono and diglycerides, natural flavor, soy lecithin), brown rice crisp (whole grain brown rice flour, sugar, malted barley flour, salt), glycerin, invert sugar, semisweet chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), milk protein concentrate, salt, water, natural flavor, mixed tocopherols (preservative), citric acid.

84%

35%

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