GNC Total Lean
Blueberry Yogurt
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A crispy soy‑protein core with a yogurt‑style coating and real blueberry pieces, backed by a hefty B‑vitamin fortification—at 180 calories with 15g of protein, it aims for light, dessert‑leaning satisfaction rather than a heavy-duty meal replacement.
When to choose GNC Total Lean Blueberry Yogurt
Reach for it when you want a sweet, fruit‑forward snack or light post‑workout bite that won’t sit heavy—especially if you prefer gluten‑free, vegetarian bars with a crisp, coated texture.
What's in the GNC Total Lean bar?
GNC Total Lean’s Blueberry Yogurt bar leans on a hybrid protein core—crispy soy protein isolate up front, backed by milk protein isolate—wrapped in a classic yogurt‑flavored coating and dotted with real blueberries.
The carbs are a blend of refined fibers (soluble corn fiber and maize dextrin), a little whole‑grain oat, some fast‑digesting tapioca from the crisps, and a touch of sugar from the coating and fruit.
Fats stay modest, coming mainly from canola oil with a likely assist from the coating’s vegetable fats, while a vitamin–mineral blend pushes several B vitamins well past 10% Daily Value (biotin is the standout).
Translation: lower calories than many bars, average protein, slightly higher sugar than most protein bars, and a sweet, tangy blueberry–yogurt profile built from blueberries, natural flavors, and that confectionery-style coating.
- Protein
- 15 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Carbohydrates
- 22 g
- Sugar
- 8 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
1515MIDMost of the protein comes from soy protein crisps (made with soy protein isolate) with a boost from milk protein isolate. Soy isolate is a complete plant protein with solid digestibility, and the milk protein brings casein plus whey for top-tier amino acid coverage—together they deliver balanced quality, though they introduce soy and milk allergens. The overall protein lands around average for the category, better suited to a snack or light recovery than a full-on meal replacement.
Fat
69LOWFat stays on the lighter side and is mainly supplied by canola oil, a neutral, mostly monounsaturated oil. Some fat likely also comes from the yogurt‑flavored coating, which is typically made with sugar and vegetable fats and can add a bit of saturated fat. Net-net, you get a modest fat load with a tilt toward unsaturated fats from canola.
Carbs
2220MIDThese carbs are a mixed bag: refined fibers (soluble corn fiber and maize dextrin) provide bulk and help temper blood sugar, while oats and blueberries add a little whole‑food heft. Faster carbs sneak in via tapioca starch in the crisps and sugar in the yogurt‑style coating. Expect steadier energy than a candy bar thanks to the fiber and protein, but not the slow burn you’d get from a bar centered on nuts or legumes.
Sugar
84HIGHThe sweetness comes partly from real blueberries and, more notably, the yogurt‑flavored coating, which is typically sugar-based; sucralose (an artificial sweetener) adds extra sweetness without more sugar, and glycerin lends mild sweetness while keeping the bar soft. At 8 grams of sugar, it’s on the sweeter side for protein bars but still reasonable for a flavored, coated bar. The fiber and protein matrix help blunt spikes compared with a dessert-style snack.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories, this bar sits below many protein bars in the aisle. Calories are shared across carbs and protein, with a relatively small contribution from fat; the use of soluble corn fiber (which has fewer calories per gram than sugar) helps keep the total in check. It’s a good pick when you want something satisfying but not heavy.
Vitamins & Minerals
This is a fortified bar: the vitamin–mineral blend drives the impressive B‑vitamin numbers (riboflavin, niacin, B6, folate, B12, thiamin, and pantothenic acid), with biotin landing at about 160% Daily Value. Calcium, iron, and zinc show up around the 10% DV mark. Blueberries and dairy may contribute a little, but the heavy lifting clearly comes from fortification.
Additives
You’ll find several functional additives here: soluble corn fiber for bulk and fiber, vegetable glycerin to keep it moist, soy lecithin as an emulsifier, xanthan gum for stability, and sucralose for high‑intensity sweetness. The yogurt‑flavored coating is a composite, confectionery-style ingredient commonly made from sugar and vegetable fats to deliver flavor and a protective shell. Overall, it’s a polished, shelf‑stable bar with multiple highly refined components that improve texture and sweetness; most people tolerate them well, though very large intakes of fiber syrups or glycerin can bother sensitive stomachs.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cassava root
Corn starch
Dairy powders and vegetable fats
Skim cow milk
Canola seed
Blueberries
Oat grain
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Citric acid plus potassium base
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I just found a bar I really like last Saturday. It's the GNC Lean Bar - Strawberry Yogurt Flavor. It's only 15g of protein (unlike the Quest bar OP shared), but I really like it.”
“GNC Lean Bars! So many good flavors, 15g protein for 180cal. Or their layered bars, a bit more decadent but basically same nutritional values.”
“GNC Lean Bars does a mint chocolate bar that's almost identical if you love them”
Main Praise
Taste is the headline.
Reviewers across Reddit and Amazon consistently call out the Lean Bar line for flavors that feel more like a treat than a compromise, with shout‑outs like “so many good flavors” and “no chalky aftertaste.
” This Blueberry Yogurt profile plays into that strength: creamy coating, bright fruit notes, and a crunchy core instead of the typical dense chew. The 15g protein for 180 calories also hits a sweet spot for folks who want something substantial without committing to a 220–260‑calorie brick.
Several buyers note it’s satisfying enough to bridge a long gap between meals or tide you over after a workout. Add in the strong B‑vitamin fortification and gluten‑free, vegetarian status, and it becomes an easy, approachable option for everyday snacking.
Main Criticism
Where fans see “treat-like,” critics sometimes see “too processed.
” This bar leans on refined components for texture and sweetness—think a yogurt‑flavored coating, refined fiber syrups for structure, and sucralose to amplify sweetness without more sugar—which won’t thrill minimal‑ingredient purists.
At 15g, the protein lands in the middle of the pack; if you chase 20–25g per bar, you’ll likely want something beefier.
There’s also the broader, line‑level debate over the “lean” label raised in legal coverage: plaintiffs argue some flavors don’t meet certain regulatory definitions of “lean” by fat per 100 grams, while GNC says the term refers to a lifestyle line rather than a fat claim.
Lastly, the soy and milk combo rules it out for those allergens, and very sensitive stomachs may notice refined fibers or glycerin if eaten in larger amounts.
The Middle Ground
So where do we land between dessert‑leaning delight and label‑law nitpicking? If your top priorities are flavor and a lighter calorie footprint, this checks both boxes—Reddit threads praising the Lean Bar line’s taste and an Amazon review from Cindy S.
raving about the lack of chalky aftertaste line up with what this flavor delivers. If your non‑negotiables are ultra‑simple ingredients or 20g‑plus of protein, the Blueberry Yogurt bar isn’t aiming there.
On the “lean” question, the legal dispute is about definitions and applies to the range as a whole; we can say this specific bar is moderate on fat and calories, but without the bar’s weight in grams on hand, we won’t pretend to adjudicate per‑100g thresholds.
Practically speaking, what you’ll feel is a sweet, crisp, yogurt‑coated snack with solid protein, not a heavy meal replacement.
If you’re sensitive to artificial sweeteners or fiber syrups, start with one bar and see how you do; if you’re ingredient‑flexible and just want something that tastes like blueberry yogurt in bar form, you’ll likely be pleased.
What's the bottom line?
GNC Total Lean’s Blueberry Yogurt bar is a crowd‑pleaser for taste and approachability: 15g of protein, 180 calories, a crispy core, and a creamy, tangy finish that reads more breakfast‑parfait than protein chore. It’s an easy win for mid‑morning, pre‑workout, or a light recovery snack when you want sweetness without going full candy bar. It’s less convincing if you’re chasing maximal protein, avoiding artificial sweeteners, or building a diet around short, whole‑food ingredient lists.
And while the line’s “lean” branding has drawn legal scrutiny, the everyday question is simpler: does this bar fit your goals? If you want a gluten‑free, vegetarian, fruit‑forward bar that tastes great and won’t weigh you down, this one earns a spot in the rotation. Condensed listicle version: A dessert‑leaning, fruit‑forward snack with 15g protein and 180 calories, GNC Total Lean Blueberry Yogurt nails flavor and a crisp‑plus‑creamy texture.
It’s gluten‑free and fortified with B vitamins, better for light recovery or between‑meal hunger than for heavy protein goals. Watch-outs: sucralose, refined fiber components, and soy/milk allergens.