Atkins
Strawberry Shortcake
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
Dessert-style flavor with about 1 gram of sugar, 15g of protein, and 190 calories, achieved with a soy–whey blend, refined fibers, and sucralose instead of syrups or dates.
When to choose Atkins Strawberry Shortcake
Best for low-carb or keto snackers who want a sweet-tasting bar that won’t spike sugar and don’t mind artificial sweeteners or a more engineered ingredient list. Not ideal if you avoid soy or dairy, prefer only whole-food bars, or need a true meal replacement.
What's in the Atkins bar?
Atkins’ Strawberry Shortcake Protein Bar pairs a soy‑forward protein blend with whey to deliver 15 grams of complete protein without a sugary coating.
The carbs are kept in check not by oats or dates but by refined fibers (soluble corn fiber, polydextrose) and a touch of glycerin, so sugar stays extremely low while the texture stays soft.
Fat runs a bit higher than many bars and comes mostly from palm kernel, palm, and coconut oils for that creamy, shortcake‑like bite, rounded out by sunflower oil and a sprinkle of almonds.
Real strawberries and natural flavors bring the fruit note, with vegetable juice for color. If you’re chasing low sugar and steady energy in a smaller‑calorie package, this formula hits those marks—just know it earns them with a more processed ingredient set.
- Protein
- 15 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Carbohydrates
- 18 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
1515MIDProtein here is a soy‑led blend: soy protein isolate shows up first, then whey protein concentrate and isolate plus a bit of partially hydrolyzed milk protein. That mix gives you complete amino acids—whey adds leucine and digests quickly, while isolates are low in lactose—landing roughly average protein for a bar at 15 grams. The plant‑and‑dairy combo suits most vegetarians but not vegans or those avoiding milk or soy.
Fat
109MIDTen grams of fat are driven mainly by palm kernel oil, palm oil, and coconut oil—semi‑solid plant fats high in saturated fat that build the bar’s firm, creamy bite. Sunflower oil and almonds bring softer, unsaturated fats and a touch of vitamin E, but the overall profile still skews saturated compared with nut‑butter‑based bars. If you’re watching saturated fat, this is worth noting.
Carbs
1820MIDMost of the carbs come from refined fibers—soluble corn fiber and polydextrose—plus a little glycerin to keep the bar moist, so the blood‑sugar impact is gentler than you’d get from syrups or dates. Small amounts of tapioca and rice starch add some quick‑burn carbohydrate, while real strawberries contribute a little natural sugar. If large boluses of added fiber bother your stomach, start with one bar and see how you feel.
Sugar
14LOWSugar is very low—about 1 gram—because sweetness primarily comes from an artificial sweetener (sucralose) with glycerin and fiber providing bulk. Strawberries add a hint of fruit sugar, and the dairy ingredients contribute trace lactose, but not much. If you avoid artificial sweeteners, the sucralose is the call‑out here.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories, this sits on the lighter end of the protein‑bar spectrum. Energy is split among the saturated plant fats that shape the bar, about‑average protein, and a sizable share of low‑calorie fiber (soluble corn fiber and polydextrose), so you get chew and fullness without much sugar. Many of the labeled carbs are not fully digestible, which helps keep calories down.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium lands at roughly 20% of daily value thanks to added calcium carbonate and the dairy proteins. Iron at about 10% likely comes from the soy protein isolate. Beyond that, micronutrients are modest, with any vitamin E coming mostly from almonds and sunflower oil rather than fortification.
Additives
This bar relies on a suite of additives to lower sugar and hold texture: refined fibers (soluble corn fiber, polydextrose), glycerin as a humectant, soy lecithin for emulsifying, and sucralose for intense sweetness, plus natural flavors and vegetable‑juice color. These are widely used and regulated, but they’re highly processed—more “engineered snack” than whole‑food bite. People sensitive to fermentable fibers may notice gas or bloating at larger servings.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Corn starch
glucose
Oil palm fruit
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Cow's milk whey
Coconuts
Skim cow milk
Almond tree seeds
Sunflower seeds
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I use the meal bars (probably every other day) and snacks (usually one every evening) and lose weight easily. They really get me through any cravings and feel like I am treating myself.”
“I usually eat one almost daily. Atkins has reformulated the meal bars. They no longer use maltitol, sucrolose instead. Quest doesn't have maltitol either and the quest hero bars use allulose. I've had no issues with any of these.”
“I use them and have had no issues at all. Lost 27 pds and A1C back to normal range.”
Main Praise
Fans highlight three wins.
First, it’s a reliable craving-killer; several keto Redditors say these bars helped them stay on track and even lose weight, largely because they feel like a treat without a sugar surge.
Second, taste: while flavors vary by palate, many Amazon reviewers describe Atkins’ dessert-leaning options as legitimately enjoyable and satisfying, especially as a coffee companion or post-dinner sweet.
Third, practicality: 15g of protein with a hefty dose of fiber at 190 calories is easy to keep in a bag or desk drawer, and the move away from maltitol to sucralose has lessened GI complaints for some longtime low‑carb folks.
Put simply, as a low-sugar, grab-and-go snack that scratches the sweet itch, it works for a lot of people.
Main Criticism
Critics come back to the same themes. The bar is highly processed: think palm-derived fats, refined fibers like polydextrose, and artificial sweetener, which turns off shoppers who want simpler, whole-food ingredients.
Texture is divisive—some call it pleasantly chewy; others say dry, sticky, or just “off,” and a few report flavor fatigue after a few weeks.
There’s also the meal-replacement debate: at 190 calories, it’s a snack for most, not a full meal, and some Redditors worry bars like these can stall progress if they displace more nutrient-dense food.
Finally, a subset is sensitive to large doses of added fibers, reporting bloating or discomfort.
The Middle Ground
So where does that leave us? If your goal is a low-sugar, dessert-like snack that won’t spike carbs, this bar does what it says: 15g protein, very little sugar, and steady energy from fiber-heavy carbs.
If your priority is a short ingredient list you can cook with at home, this isn’t your bar—and reviewers who call it “chemical” are really reacting to that engineered approach. One Redditor warned to run from maltitol; fair—and this formula relies on sucralose instead, which many tolerate better, though not everyone loves the aftertaste.
Another common gripe is calling it a meal; we agree with the middle-of-the-road reviewers here: at 190 calories, it’s more snack or dessert than lunch.
The open questions are personal ones: how your stomach handles refined fibers like polydextrose, whether sucralose sits well with your taste buds, and if a dessert-flavored bar helps you stick to your plan—or crowds out more nutrient-rich food.
Try one, notice how you feel an hour later, and let your own data decide.
What's the bottom line?
Atkins’ Strawberry Shortcake Protein Meal Bar is a pragmatic tool for low-carb eaters who want a sweet bite without a sugar spike. The trade-off is clear: you get 15g of protein and about 1 gram of sugar in a 190-calorie package by leaning on a soy–whey blend, refined fibers, and sucralose. That combo can tame cravings and travel well, but it won’t satisfy ingredient minimalists, and some people don’t love the texture or the sweetener profile.
Use it as a snack or dessert—not a full meal—and consider pairing it with something fresh (a Greek yogurt, a few berries, or a handful of nuts) if you need more staying power. If you’re sensitive to added fibers or avoiding soy or dairy, skip it. If your priority is low sugar, portable protein, and a strawberry-shortcake vibe in your back pocket, this bar earns its spot—just with a lab coat, not a whisk.