David Protein
Red Velvet
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
One of the most protein-dense bars for the calories—28g at just 150 calories—with a soft, doughy texture rather than the usual jaw workout, achieved via dairy/egg proteins and a modern sugar-free sweetener blend.
When to choose David Protein Red Velvet
People chasing maximum protein per calorie for post-workout or a light, high-protein snack—and who are comfortable with sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.
What's in the David Protein bar?
Red Velvet says cake; this one says protein. David Protein’s Red Velvet Bar leans on dairy-and-egg power—milk protein isolate with help from whey and egg white—plus some collagen for texture.
The red velvet character comes from Dutch‑processed cocoa, unsweetened chocolate, flavor, and that signature hue from carmine. Carbs are engineered rather than fruity or grain‑based, using low‑/no‑calorie sweeteners, glycerin, and added fiber to deliver sweetness without a sugar surge.
The result: a bar that sits near the top of the pack for protein density while staying strikingly low in fat and calories—great if you want a light, high‑protein bite and you’re comfortable with modern sweeteners.
- Protein
- 28 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Carbohydrates
- 12 g
- Sugar
- 0 g
- Calories
- 150
Protein
2815HIGHMost of the 28g of protein comes from milk protein isolate, supported by whey concentrate and egg white—complete, highly digestible proteins with relatively low lactose. Collagen is in the mix too; it boosts grams and texture but isn’t a complete protein, so the dairy and egg components do the heavy amino‑acid lifting. Net: a very high‑protein bar built on classic dairy/egg quality.
Fat
29LOWFat is unusually low, and what’s here comes mainly from palm‑kernel and coconut oils—both high in saturated fat—plus a fat‑mimicking ingredient (modified plant fat, often used to provide creaminess with fewer absorbed calories). Because the total is just 2g, the saturated load stays minimal, but this isn’t the olive‑oil‑and‑nuts kind of fat profile. If you want more heart‑healthy fats, you’ll need to add them elsewhere.
Carbs
1220LOWThe 12g of carbs lean on refined sweeteners and fibers rather than fruit or grains. Maltitol (a sugar alcohol), allulose (a low‑calorie sugar), and glycerin (a plant‑derived syrup that keeps bars soft) supply sweetness and texture, while soluble corn fiber adds bulk; a touch of tapioca starch brings some quick‑digesting starch. Expect steadier energy than a sugar‑sweetened bar for many people, though larger amounts of sugar alcohols can bother sensitive stomachs.
Sugar
04LOWWith 0g sugar, sweetness comes from a system of sugar alcohols and low‑/no‑calorie sweeteners: maltitol and allulose provide bulked sweetness, while tiny amounts of artificial sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame potassium) fine‑tune flavor. There’s no fruit or cane sugar here, which keeps blood‑sugar impact low for many, though polyols can cause GI upset for some if overdone.
Calories
150210LOWAt 150 calories, this bar is light and protein‑dense—most of its energy comes from protein, with a smaller share from carbs and very little from fat. Using low‑calorie sweeteners and added fiber helps keep calories down while preserving sweetness and a soft bite.
Vitamins & Minerals
You get about 10% of daily calcium from the dairy proteins; otherwise vitamins and minerals are modest. Trace iron and potassium likely come from the cocoa and dairy, but they’re not standout sources.
Additives
This is a highly formulated bar: soy lecithin keeps texture smooth; carmine gives the red‑velvet color; a fat‑replacer (modified plant fat) provides richness with fewer absorbed calories; and a multi‑sweetener system (maltitol, allulose, glycerin, plus tiny doses of sucralose and acesulfame potassium) delivers sugar‑free sweetness. These tools are common in lower‑sugar confections, though people sensitive to polyols or artificial sweeteners may prefer moderation.
Ingredient List
Skim cow milk
Bovine, porcine, poultry, or fish skins/bones
Cow's milk whey
Eggs
Corn or wheat
Corn or beet fructose syrups
Fats and oils
Corn starch
Cassava root
Soybeans
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“David bars taste very very good and the macros are unbeatable.”
“Taste I can handle it’s more neutral than bad for me. Macros make it taste amazing. Clear whey isolate protein powder and a David bar for a post workout snack. 250 calories, FIFTY G OF PROTEIN. Issa wrap fr.”
“I have not experienced this yet. I've been buying them for a few months. I eat one a day, usually with breakfast”
Main Praise
Fans love the ratios. On Reddit and Amazon, “unbeatable macros” comes up again and again, and for good reason: 28 grams of protein at 150 calories is rare.
Several outlets—Bon Appétit among them—call out the softer, doughy texture as a welcome break from taffy-tough bars, and The New Yorker nods to a satisfying salty crunch that keeps you nibbling.
Many reviewers report the taste as good to neutral, which in protein-bar land is often a win when the macros are this aggressive. The light calorie load also makes it easy to pair with real food—fruit, yogurt, or a handful of nuts—without blowing your day.
Main Criticism
Taste is polarizing. Some Redditors flatly call it bland or “nasty,” and both The New Yorker and Men’s Health mention a lingering sweetener note or a light waxy film after the first bite.
If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners, the formula (maltitol and allulose for bulked sweetness, plus tiny amounts of sucralose and Ace‑K) may not sit well. A few users have reported sporadic oiliness; others haven’t seen it at all.
Price comes up too—especially for small sample packs on certain retailers—and the bar is unmistakably ultra‑processed, which turns off folks who want only pantry‑simple ingredients. It also contains dairy and egg (and soy lecithin), so it won’t work for everyone.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land? If you expect a patisserie moment, you’ll likely side with Reddit user pkavsb and call it a miss.
If you judge a bar by protein-per-calorie, you’ll be with myfrontallobe10: the stats alone are a mic drop. The taste divide seems less about “good vs.
bad” and more about what you’re willing to trade for that macro profile; Men’s Health flags a “chemical tang” after the initial sweetness, which many people either don’t notice after a few bites or simply accept as the cost of admission.
The texture—doughy with a bit of salty crunch—gets broad approval, though some, like The New Yorker’s Hannah Goldfield, do notice a thin film; chilling the bar or sipping water between bites helps.
The sweetener system keeps sugar at zero and calories low, but it’s not for everyone; sensitive stomachs should start with one bar and see. Price varies widely by retailer and pack size, so it’s worth checking before you commit to a case.
In short: it’s a functional bar that leans hard on engineering to deliver remarkable numbers; whether that’s exciting or off‑putting depends on your priorities.
What's the bottom line?
David Protein’s David Bar (Red Velvet) is a purpose-built tool: extremely high protein for remarkably few calories, delivered in a soft bite that many find pleasant and some find merely tolerable. If you’re cutting, trying to hit a protein target, or want a light snack that won’t crowd out the rest of your meal, it’s one of the strongest options on shelves. The trade-offs are clear: a highly formulated ingredient list with sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, a flavor that won’t pass for bakery cake, and pricing that can sting depending on where you buy.
If you’re comfortable with modern sweeteners and care most about protein density, this bar earns its keep—use it as a protein anchor and round it out with real food like berries or a handful of almonds. If you prefer simpler ingredients or know polyols don’t love you back, skip it and choose a whole‑food‑leaning bar with a few more calories.
Condensed listicle take: Maximum protein per calorie, soft texture, and a salty‑sweet nibble; polarizing aftertaste and ultra‑processed formula. Best for macro‑chasers who want a light, zero‑sugar hit and don’t mind modern sweeteners.