Horleys' Carb Less protein bars

[Pseudonym]

For the last month, I've had a little pile of Horleys' Carb Less protein bar wrappers sitting on my desk, waiting for me to write a review about them. They've now irritated me enough that I'm finally motivated to write the review - just so I can clear my desk. (This is how work gets done in NZBB HQ.)

A friend introduced me to these bars while I was dieting. Having never been a big fan of protein bars, I was sceptical. But I tried them one day in a moment of weakness, and was sold.

I think there's about 6 different flavours, and they all generally seem to have around 18g protein, 5g carbs, 7g fat - so you probably want two bars to make a meal. Here's my take on a few of the flavours...

Double Dutch Chocolate Fudge

Exactly as you'd expect. It's chocolatey and fudgy on the inside, with a (paper thin) milk chocolate coating. Sweet, but not too sweet. One of my favourites.

Choco Coconut Brownie

The coconut essence makes this bar smell amazing, and the taste is pretty good. The only disappointment for me was the texture - again, it's a solid fudgy block all the way through. That texture worked well in the Choc Fudge bar, but I'd have liked some shredded coconut in this one, just to give you something to chew on. It wouldn't change the nutritional specs that much, either. Go on Horleys - do it!

Strawberry Cheesecake

Not a terrible flavour, but probably my least favourite. I'm not a big fan of yoghurt coated bars at the best of times, and the anaemic pink strawberry was just too sweet for me.

Chocolate Crunchy Nut

This is kind of like a rice crispy with peanuts. Being low carb, there's obviously no rice bubbles involved here, but somehow Horleys have made something similar out of a "soy protein nugget". The crunchiness is good, and it's nice to actually see the nuts.

Cost is around $4.50 per bar, or about $3.60 if you get a box of 12 from our supplement store sponsors.

I wouldn't suggest making them a daily part of the diet, but as an emergency meal, they're great. Got to run off somewhere before you've prepared your food? Grab a couple of bars, and you're good to go. The best part is Horleys' distribution - they seem to be in most big service stations around the country. Fantastic if you're suddenly caught short without a meal, and don't want to break the diet too much.

[hhhh1]

too expensive for what it is for me. any idea what sort of protein is used in them? (soy/whey/whatever)

[Chillicat]

Yummy, yeah I like them for emergencies - like this weekend for example when I go to Sevens - very hard at a 2 day event like that to keep food choices healthy, so bars come in handy at times like that so that I don't keep nomming on chips and pies all day!

[Reaper47]

I binge on them like a mofo

[Pseudonym]

too expensive for what it is for me. any idea what sort of protein is used in them? (soy/whey/whatever)

Soy protein isolate, calcium caseinate, and whey protein isolate.

And yeah, they're not cheap, so I try to only use them for emergencies/rewards.

[Mike Zero]

As with most protein bars, if you're on a strict diet you need to make sure you're taking into account all the calories in them, not just those from the carbs/protein/fats.

[Dubble_D]

As with most protein bars, if you're on a strict diet you need to make sure you're taking into account all the calories in them, not just those from the carbs/protein/fats.

Where else would they come from?

[Mike Zero]

As with most protein bars, if you're on a strict diet you need to make sure you're taking into account all the calories in them, not just those from the carbs/protein/fats.

Where else would they come from?

Sugar alcohols or "non-impact carbs" as some companies have branded them. Look at the number of calories listed on the packet then add up the calories from the c/p/f and you will see the deficit.

Carb Less Bars use ingredients such as glycerine, maltitol and polydextrose, which have minimal impact on blood sugars and insulin response. While they are still metabolised as nutrients, they have a relatively low calorific value compared to sugars and other carbohydrates. The total calorie count includes them.

http://www.horleys.com/ViewProduct.aspx?id=27

[Dubble_D]

Learnt something new today. Thanks.

[greemah]

I binge on them like a mofo

likewise

[crazyfacials]

sometimes countdown will have them on sale for 2 bucks a pop they'd do that to only 1 flavour though and it isn't even expired or about to be... I find the crunchy ones to be more filling but yeah...they used to be 3 bucks... atm I am munching on them protein cookies that I got from treatme

[Dinahlady]

My review:

I had one of these from a petrol station it was some rough banana flavour?? yuckk.

[Dubble_D]

Banana Carmel something. One of my fav tbh.

[icecream]

The chocolate peppermint ones used to be a staple in my eating plan :?

They are so good it doesn't even taste like you're eating artificial everything.

[Small]

The chocolate peppermint ones used to be a staple in my eating plan :?

They are so good it doesn't even taste like you're eating artificial everything.

try doctors carbrite bars. esp the choc mint brownie if thats your thing 8)

[Reaper47]

The protein in bars is always of a lesser quality than powder horleys is notoriously shit soy casinate is garbage i know Ive been selling them for years people like them cos they think they are a free cheat chocolate thing in ,my opinion you might as well be eating dairy milk bar or such. :shock:

[crazyfacials]

The chocolate peppermint ones used to be a staple in my eating plan :?

They are so good it doesn't even taste like you're eating artificial everything.

try doctors carbrite bars. esp the choc mint brownie if thats your thing 8)

yeah those are amazing, I also like the zeroimpact bars however they're a meal replacement (very handy when I don't have a break at work or have to deal with 8 hours of lectures)

[icecream]

I thought Dr Carbrite tasted too much like the OG horleys bars (in the blue packaging). So gross :?

[Small]

haha im shit at dieting i just ordered 3 boxes from iherb choc brownie, smores and rasp choc. honestly they own horleys allday!

[Small]

(very handy when I don't have a break at work or have to deal with 8 hours of lectures)

wtf do you study for 8 hours of lectures haha

[crazyfacials]

(very handy when I don't have a break at work or have to deal with 8 hours of lectures)

wtf do you study for 8 hours of lectures haha

had a 2 hour lecture followed by a 3 hour lab then another 2 hour lecture last semester on mondays.. worst thing ever