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David Protein Bars – The Smartest Bar in the Game

If you’re serious about your macros, tired of sugar-laden “protein” bars, and want a grab-and-go snack that actually helps build muscle and support fat loss, David Protein Bars are going to change the way you think about portable nutrition.

I’ve tested every major protein bar out there. Most are glorified candy bars with a little extra protein tossed in. David is different. It’s not just a protein bar—it’s a scientifically-engineered performance tool, and it delivers.


Macros That Matter

Let’s start with the headline stats:

  • 150 calories
  • 28 grams of protein
  • 0 grams of sugar
  • 75% CFP (Calories From Protein)

That 75% CFP is roughly 50% higher than any other bar on the market. It means three-quarters of the energy you get is from muscle-building protein, not fats or sugars. For anyone optimizing body composition, this is gold.


What Makes It Work: The Science Behind the Bar

1. The Protein System

David uses a multi-source blend: milk protein isolate, collagen, whey concentrate, and egg white. This combo provides a complete amino acid profile with a perfect 1.0 PDCAAS. That means it’s as efficient as protein gets—ideal for muscle repair, hormonal balance, and even skin, hair, and nail health.

2. The Binding System

Binding is usually where bars pack in sugar and calories. David uses maltitol and allulose, which keep the bar together, offer sweetness, and don’t spike blood sugar. They’re also easier on calories. Bonus: some of the binders like glycerin and tapioca starch provide prebiotic benefits.

3. The Fat System

Here’s where David gets next-level. Instead of loading up on calorically dense fats, they use a modified plant fat called EPG, along with small amounts of coconut oil, cocoa butter, and palm kernel oil. This allows for a creamy, satisfying texture without the 9-calories-per-gram hit from traditional fat.

4. The Flavor System

David is sweet, rich, and indulgent without the sugar. Their system uses cocoa powder, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and natural flavors to create dessert-like profiles with no blood sugar impact.


Flavor Rundown

I sampled six of the most popular flavors. Each one had a dense but moist texture, not chalky or gritty like other high-protein bars. You can eat them at room temp, chilled, or warmed up in the microwave for 10 seconds (game changer).

Favorites Ranked:

  1. Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter – Hands-down my go-to. Tastes like a Reese’s met a protein cookie. Sweet, salty, chocolatey, perfect texture.
  2. Fudge Brownie – Rich and dark. More like a brownie than some actual brownies I’ve had.
  3. Salted Peanut Butter – Great savory-sweet balance. Feels substantial.
  4. Cookie Dough – Classic profile, smooth with chocolate chunks. Solid choice.
  5. Cake Batter – On the sweeter side, great for dessert cravings.
  6. Blueberry Pie – A unique twist. Not my favorite, but a nice change of pace.

Real Talk: How It Performs

These bars have become my go-to post-workout fuel and midday protein boost. The ultra-high protein-to-calorie ratio makes them perfect for:

  • Cutting phases
  • High-protein, low-carb diets
  • Blood-sugar stability
  • Meal replacements on the go

I typically have one post-lift and another in the late afternoon to hit my protein targets without blowing up my calorie count. Just keep in mind: limit to two per day to avoid any digestive discomfort, especially if you’re not used to sugar alcohols.


Final Thoughts

David Protein Bars aren’t just another snack. They’re a precision-engineered nutrition tool that puts protein first. If you’re someone who values muscle growth, metabolic health, and real results, these bars check every box.

Pros:

  • Unmatched protein-to-calorie ratio
  • Zero sugar
  • No blood sugar spikes
  • Full amino acid spectrum
  • Tastes legit

Cons:

  • Contains sucralose and maltitol (which some may want to moderate)
  • May cause GI issues if overconsumed

Rating: 9.5/10
Make room in your daily stack. This is the smartest protein bar on the market.

Sport Nutrition Can Be Gnarly

Gnarly is a funny word.

It can mean something good or bad, but also used to describe something challenging.

Gnarly Nutrition Hydrate and BCAAs
Gnarly Nutrition Hydrate and BCAAs

When Gnarly Nutrition sent me samples of their product to try, it landed on my doorstep at a challenging time. I just gotten back from my first physical in many years and learned that I had topped the scales at an all-time high. Based on the BMI chart, I was now “overweight.”

Fitness has always been a priority for me, but as life changed, so has my fitness priorities. The COVID-19 presented challenges around my fitness and I fell out of my normal routines, including running (something I have been devoutly fanatical about for 13 years).

The balance between home learning, work, and making time for my wife to have to herself put a lot of my fitness to the side.

And now I showed the evidence of that. Since my first child was born 10 years ago, I had put on 47 pounds. Since COVID, I had put on 20 pounds.

It was a lot and I knew I had to do something different. Something challenging. Something… gnarly.

When these samples arrived, I decided that it was time to kick my own ass.

I started a high-intensity-impact-training program, increased my frequency and mileage running, and started flipping a tractor tire in my garage. Along with that, I started intermittent fasting for 16-18 hours a day and cold showers in the morning to activate my brown fat cells.

These supplements from Gnarly Nutrition have been a welcome addition.

Gnarly Hydrate

Gnarly Nutrition Hydrate
Gnarly Nutrition Hydrate

Thirty-minutes prior to a workout, I’ll down a serving of Gnarly Hydrate.

Typically, I’m working out in the late afternoon and the B-Vitamins are a nice energizing pick-me-up to motivate me out of my office and into my workout space.

Each serving is super-packed with electrolytes to help aid performance and stave off muscle cramps and burnout. 250 mg of sodium, 100 mg of potassium, 90 mg of magnesium, 125 mg of calcium, and 135 mg of chloride.

What I appreciate about this product is that it doesn’t have caffeine. Since I’m working out in the afternoon, I don’t need extra caffeine in my system.

Additionally, this product mixes really well. There’s another brand (that shan’t be named) that I’ve used that is always clumpy and feels heavy in the gut. Gnarly Hydrate mixes well enough that I’ve replaced the Nuun tablets in my Hydropak.

Gnarly BCAAs

Gnarly Nutrition BCAAs
Gnarly Nutrition BCAAs

I’ve never used BCAAs as part of my recovery. If you don’t know, BCAAs stand for Branched Chain Amino Acids.

You have 20 different amino acids in your body and three of those (leucine, isoleucine and valine) are branched chain amino acids.

By supplementing BCAAs, you’re helping your body build back better (sorry, Biden). BCAAs can help with muscle growth, decrease muscle soreness, reduce fatigue, and prevent muscle wasting.

When I’ve gotten on these ass-kicking routines, my ass has gotten kicked and I have fallen off the wagon quickly.

But since supplementing Gnarly BCAAs I’ve found significant improvement in my recovery time.

I’ve been able to hit the same level of intensity the next day after an intense workout.

I’m a week into my journey and I’ve already dropped a couple pounds, which I’ll take as a victory.

Gnarly BCAAs has several flavors to choose from including caffeinated and decaf options. I’m using the caffeinated version, but with only 35 mg of caffeine per serving, it hasn’t negatively impacted my sleep routine.

Gnarly Vegan Protein

Gnarly Nutrition Vegan Protein
Gnarly Nutrition Vegan Protein

Finding the right vegan protein has been hit or miss. Especially when it comes to how well it mixes. There are many out there that are grainy and clumpy.

Thankfully, Gnarly Vegan Protein is one of the best I’ve had. Their protein is a blend of pea protein isolate, cranberry seed protein and chia seed protein.

Since using it, I also haven’t had the gut issues I’ve had before with other proteins. I think it’s in part due to their forms of protein, but the fiber content (7 grams per serving), and the pre and probiotics to support digestion and gut health.

Gnarly Vegan Protein is intended to also be a meal replacement.

When I’ve been breaking my fast, I’ve turned to their vegan protein versus running to the local sandwich or fast food shop. Each serving, when combined with water, is only 200 calories.

Out of the two flavors I samples (vanilla and chocolate), chocolate was my favorite.

Bottom Line

As I’ve gone on this journey of better health and fitness, I couldn’t be more happy to have Gnarly Nutrition in my corner. It’s definitely been a bit gnarly. But gnarly is a good way.

My hope is that I’ll be able to get to a point where I’m able to do ultras again and have Gnarly on all my training runs.

It’s worth noting that Gnarly Nutrition products are NSF certified and the three products above are all soy free, gluten free, and vegan.