Hello Nuzest Protein Bars! Nuzest is an brand of antipodean origins producing premium quality plant based protein powders and blends worldwide. Their ‘Clean Lean Protein’ is probably the highest quality pea protein on the market & is markedly different & simply better in several ways to others.

Better how? Well in short . . .

• Unlike most other proteins it mixes smoothly into any liquid using only a fork, no blender!
• The protein is the premium ‘Piscane’ pea protein isolate produced from European golden peas
• Water based processing removes phytic acid and lectins from the peas for potentially better digestion
• Thaumatin, a protein produced by katemfe plants, is the very low GI & very low calorie gentle sweetener
• Certified Gluten Free, also Vegan and Soy Free and no added sugars

Nuzest Protein Bars

In 2019 Nuzest have launched Clean Lean Protein Bars in Cacao Coconut & Vanilla Almond flavors Are they also the best on the market?

Both bars deliver a minimum of 20 grams or more protein per 100 grams and are gluten free and vegan. This satisfies the criteria I apply to taste test and evaluate for inclusion within the Best Gluten Free & Vegan Protein Bars and Gluten Free Vegan Protein Bars Nutritional Comparison. I taste test and analyse all the bars so you do not have to!

Ingredients & Nutrition

Nuzest Protein Bars are declared gluten free and vegan. Primary ingredients are Pea Protein Isolate, Brown Rice Syrup, Nuts & Seeds. There are a few stand out ingredient choices relative to other bars.

Pea Protein Isolate is the first ingredient. This is the costly, premium ‘Piscane’ Pea Protein. Appearing first within the ingredients means there is more of this than any other ingredient. Only a few other Protein Bars, including BodyMe and some of the Primal Pantry range, feature a protein powder as their first ingredient. None use an isolate. Relative to dates and peanuts as other common first ingredients it has higher cost and value.

Tahini is something unique within all the brands and bars I have reviewed & taste-tested. Almond & Peanut butters are common. This does have the implication that there is another major allergen, sesame, in Nuzest Bars. Nuzest tell me they selected Tahini because of the positive influence it has on flavour & mouthfeel.

Psyllium is another noteworthy ingredient. It high in fibre, acts as a very strong binder, adds to mouthfeel and helps manage moisture level to give the bars a longer life. I would certainly choose it over emulsifiers and preservatives found elsewhere.

Protein is 13-15 grams per 55 gram bar and averages at 24-26 grams per 100 grams. This places Nuzest above the average for Protein content & most of that protein is from the Pea Protein Isolate rather than nuts & seeds. This might make it more easily digestible.

Sugar is low to moderate at 7-8 grams per bar. There are no additional sweeteners so the syrup & raisins deliver all the sweetness the bars offer.

Cost & Value

Prices are compared per 100 grams to enable a like for like between different bar sizes. Wow, Nuzest are costly! Roughly double the average cost and about three times the price of some of the lower cost bars.

Reassuringly expensive? Here is what Nuzest say.

It’s a sad fact that as soon as you create products with energy-dense nutrients, less sugar and optimal ratios of healthy fats and protein, the price of the ingredients shoots up. Generally cheaper bars are higher in sugar because it’s much cheaper to fill a bar full of dates, fruits or other sweetening agents. polyols, sugars etc. We didn’t want to compromise function or flavour

Clean Lean protein is also the most costly there is. I choose to buy it because it mixes so well, tastes lovely and I find it tremendously digestible. Is there a reason to pay so much more for the Protein Bars too? I hope the current price will reduce once production and distribution are scaled up.

Best Buys From: “Coming Soon” from Nuzest UK,  already available and cheaper from Dolphin Fitness, and I found them in-store at Wholefoods Piccadilly.

Taste Test!

The thaumatin sweetener used in Clean Lean Protein is a very agreeable sweetener. None of the potentially unpleasant oddness or aftertastes of the likes of stevia or xylitol or aspartame. Long lasting gentle sweetness. It is not used in the Protein Bars however. Have Nuzest designed Bars that are the equal of their protein range?

Nuzest Clean Lean Vanilla Almond

Dense, chewy, satisfying. Pleasant vanilla aroma on opening and if you take your time to taste it vanilla is the primary flavour too. Welcome diversion from dates, chocolate and overbearing sweetness. Overall . . . quite nice.

Nuzest Clean Lean Cacao Coconut

Curiously sticky. I placed these bars onto a plate and had to peel them off! Coconut is is the leading flavour complimented by a cocoa aroma. Earthy and subtle. Again, quite nice.

Nuzest Protein Bars vs The Rest!

• Highest cost bars on the market
• Pea Protein Isolate is potentially one of or even *the* best quality and most digestible found within a bar
• Flavours are mild & agreeable rather than punchy or decadent
• 55 grams per bar is a top end weight but relatively low fats keeps the calorie count moderate

I buy all the bars I taste test, no freebies, so when I say I like something I really do. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein Bars are good. They are clearly designed without compromise rather than to compete with low cost bars with cheap filler ingredients. Unlike Clean Lean Protein itself I would not call them out as clearly best in class. The current price is a significant deterrent. For a bar offering similar macro nutrients I would choose BodyMe. Vive for best tasting. Trek or Pulsin’ for low cost bang per buck.

See all my ‘best of the best’ choices within the Best Gluten Free & Vegan Protein Bars monster meta-review.

Have *you* tried the Nuzest Protein Bars? Love them? Adore them? Tell and share!

More of the Same?

Do you know of a Gluten Free and Vegan Bar I have not tried? The horror! Name it and I will fill in that gap in the universe stat! Ooh, caveat that they must also not contain oats. Oats and I have agreed not to see each other. I am a special type of coeliac that cannot tolerate even the ‘good guy’ gluten-free oats.

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