Equate (Walmart)
Chocolate Chip Granola
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A surprisingly dessert‑like chocolate‑granola bar with 17g of protein and only 1g of sugar, achieved by using a soy‑plus‑whey blend and engineered fibers instead of syrup.
When to choose Equate (Walmart) Chocolate Chip Granola
Best for budget‑minded snackers who want a low‑sugar, mid‑protein bar between meals—and who are fine with artificial sweetener and added fibers. Not ideal for strict keto, vegetarians, or those avoiding dairy/soy/nuts.
What's in the Equate (Walmart) bar?
Chocolate Chip Granola usually means cozy oats and chocolate. Here, Equate (Walmart) keeps that flavor cue with rolled oats, alkalized cocoa, and a sprinkle of almonds—then builds the macros with a soy‑and‑whey blend that delivers 17g of protein.
The surprise is how it all holds together: carbs come mostly from engineered fibers rather than sugar, fat leans on palm kernel and soybean oils more than nuts, and the sweetness is driven by sucralose instead of syrup.
The result is a lower‑calorie, mid‑protein bar that favors steady, low‑sugar energy over a short, home‑pantry ingredient list.
- Protein
- 17 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 18 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
1715MIDMost of the 17g of protein comes from soy protein isolate (including soy crisps) backed by whey protein isolate, with smaller help from whey concentrate and nonfat milk powder. That soy‑whey pairing gives you a complete amino acid profile and fast‑digesting dairy protein, though both isolates are highly refined. Note for sensitive folks: whey isolate is low in lactose, but the added whey concentrate and milk powder mean this bar isn’t lactose‑free or dairy‑free.
Fat
79MIDThe 7g of fat is driven mainly by palm kernel oil (a saturated fat that provides firmness) and soybean oil (rich in omega‑6), with almonds contributing some heart‑friendly monounsaturated fats. Expect a bit more saturated fat than a nut‑butter‑based bar and more omega‑6 than olive‑ or avocado‑oil formulas, but the total amount is modest. If you prefer less‑processed oils, note the reliance on refined seed and palm oils here.
Carbs
1820MIDCarbs here are built around added fibers—polydextrose, soluble tapioca fiber, and inulin—with a smaller whole‑grain contribution from rolled oats. That design generally means steadier energy than a sugar‑heavy bar, though some people get gas or bloating from quick hits of isolated fibers, and tapioca “fiber” products can vary in how non‑digestible they truly are. Net effect: engineered, lower‑glycemic carbs with a touch of oat substance.
Sugar
14LOWJust 1g of sugar, likely from naturally occurring lactose in the dairy and a bit from oats; the sweetness you taste is mostly from sucralose (a zero‑calorie artificial sweetener) and glycerin, a plant‑derived humectant that adds mild sweetness and moisture. That keeps glycemic impact lower than a sugar‑sweetened bar, though some prefer sweetness from whole foods, and a minority notice GI changes with non‑sugar sweeteners or glycerin.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories, this lands lighter than many bars. Calories are fairly balanced—protein from isolates, carbs largely from fiber, and a restrained 7g of fat—making it a snack rather than a full meal replacement. If you want something that tides you over without feeling heavy, this profile fits the bill.
Vitamins & Minerals
No vitamin fortification stands out, but you do get about 10% DV calcium from the dairy ingredients (whey and nonfat milk powder) and roughly 11% DV iron, likely from the soy protein isolate with help from oats and almonds. Potassium is minimal.
Additives
This bar leans on modern food tools: polydextrose, soluble tapioca fiber, and inulin add bulk and fiber; glycerin keeps it soft; soy lecithin and gum arabic stabilize texture; and sucralose supplies sweetness without sugar. These are highly refined ingredients used to dial texture, shelf life, and macros. If you’re shopping for a short, kitchen‑pantry label, this isn’t it—if you want engineered consistency with low sugar, it fits.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cow's milk whey
glucose
Cassava root starch
Chicory root
Fats and oils
Oil palm fruit
Soybeans
Cow's milk whey
Animal collagen
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I just had one of these for the first time. It has 240 cal., 17 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber - and it's 100% delicious! Tasted like a candy bar.”
“I just had one of these for the first time. It has 240 cal., 17 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber - and it's 100% delicious! Tasted like a candy bar.”
“Walmart makes a tasty generic peanut butter & chocolate protein bar under their Equate brand,”
Main Praise
Taste and value lead the praise. Multiple Reddit threads call out Equate bars as “tasty” and “like a candy bar,” with one user admitting they tried them for the price and were pleasantly surprised.
For a grocery‑store staple, the protein‑to‑calorie ratio is strong: 17g of protein at 190 calories is efficient for something you can toss in a gym bag or glove box. The chocolate‑granola profile here is familiar and comforting—rolled oats, cocoa, and a bit of almond texture—without the syrupy sweetness that drags some bars down.
And because the sweetness relies on sucralose rather than sugar, many readers find the energy steadier than with sugar‑heavy snacks.
Main Criticism
Two critiques surface fast.
First, the ingredient philosophy: this bar leans on isolates and food tech—think a soy‑plus‑whey protein blend, added fibers for bulk (like inulin and polydextrose), glycerin for moisture, and sucralose for sweetness.
If you prefer short, home‑pantry labels, this isn’t your bar. Second, it’s not built for keto or ultra‑low‑carb purists; 18g of total carbs and a roster of refined oils (palm kernel and soybean) make some shoppers hesitate.
A smaller, practical note: a subset of people report that quick hits of isolated fiber or artificial sweeteners can cause mild GI rumblings.
The Middle Ground
So where does that leave us? The crowd that likes these bars tends to value taste, protein efficiency, and affordability—and on those fronts, this flavor performs.
A Redditor summed it up as “tasted like a candy bar,” which is probably a touch generous, but the chocolate‑oat combo is unabashedly treat‑leaning for 190 calories.
On the flip side, SureKeto’s blanket “hard pass” makes sense if your bar needs to be whole‑food only and ultra‑low‑carb; but note that this Chocolate Chip Granola flavor doesn’t list maltitol, a common keto red flag in other brands and some Equate variants.
The carbs here come largely from added fibers designed to reduce sugar and keep texture—good for glycemic steadiness, less good if your stomach dislikes a fiber pile‑on. Oils?
Yes, they’re refined, and palm kernel nudges up saturated fat, though at 7g total fat this stays moderate for a snack. It’s the classic engineered‑bar trade: convenience and macros versus a label that reads more lab than kitchen.
What's the bottom line?
Equate’s Chocolate Chip Granola protein bar is a pragmatic win if you want a sweet‑leaning, low‑sugar bite with a real protein payoff. You get 17g of protein, familiar granola‑and‑chocolate flavor, and steady energy thanks to engineered fibers and sucralose. The compromises are clear—refined oils, artificial sweetener, and not‑so‑short ingredients—plus it’s off‑limits for vegetarians (gelatin) and anyone avoiding dairy, soy, or almonds.
If your priority is a budget‑friendly, tastes‑good snack that doesn’t blow your calories or sugar, it’s easy to recommend. Condensed listicle version: A candy‑bar‑adjacent chocolate‑granola chew with 17g of protein and just 1g of sugar at 190 calories. Great for budget snackers who want steady energy and don’t mind artificial sweetener and added fibers; not for strict keto or ingredient minimalists, and it contains dairy, soy, almonds, and gelatin.