GNC Total Lean
Strawberry Yogurt
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare fruit-and-yogurt profile—with real strawberries and a tangy, creamy coating—paired with 15g protein, 180 calories, and a hefty B‑vitamin boost in a gluten‑free, vegetarian bar.
When to choose GNC Total Lean Strawberry Yogurt
A lighter pre‑workout or mid‑morning snack for people who prefer fruity over chocolate flavors and are fine with soy and dairy.
What's in the GNC Total Lean bar?
GNC Total Lean’s Strawberry Yogurt bar blends plant and dairy proteins, wraps it in a yogurt‑style coating, and leans on fruit for a bright, tangy bite. You’ll taste real strawberries (with a few sweetened cranberries for chewy pops), while the “yogurt” comes from a coating built with yogurt powder, whey, and nonfat milk.
Macros land as a lighter snack: about‑average protein at 15 grams, carbs slightly above the bar norm, fat on the low side, and calories lower than most bars, all helped by added fiber.
- Protein
- 15 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Carbohydrates
- 22 g
- Sugar
- 8 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
1515MIDMost of the 15 grams of protein come from soy protein crisps (made with soy protein isolate) and milk protein isolate, with a smaller assist from the yogurt coating’s whey and nonfat milk. That mix gives you complete amino acids from dairy plus solid plant protein—about average for protein bars—though it does mean both soy and milk allergens. Soy isolate is a highly refined plant protein; milk protein isolate is high‑quality and relatively low in lactose.
Fat
69LOWAt 6 grams, fat is on the lighter side and comes mainly from canola oil (rich in heart‑friendly unsaturated fats) and the yogurt coating’s fractionated palm kernel oil, which is more saturated. The net result is modest saturated fat from the coating with a nudge of unsaturated fats from canola. If you’re watching saturated fat, note the palm‑kernel component is present but not dominant here.
Carbs
2220MIDCarbs (22 grams) are a true mix: oats and real strawberries add whole‑food carbs, while the yogurt coating’s sugar, sweetened cranberries, and tapioca starch in the crisps bring quick energy. Soluble corn fiber and maize dextrin contribute dietary fiber and help steady the ride a bit compared with straight sugar. Expect more sustained energy than a candy bar thanks to fiber and oats, but still a noticeable uptick from the added sugars and refined starches.
Sugar
84HIGHYou get 8 grams of sugar, largely from the yogurt‑style coating’s sucrose and the sweetened cranberries, plus a little natural sugar from dairy (lactose) and strawberries. Additional sweetness comes from a tiny dose of an artificial sweetener (sucralose), which keeps sugars moderate for a coated, fruit‑forward bar. Compared with other protein bars, the sugar sits on the higher end, reflecting the confectionery coating and fruit pieces.
Calories
180210LOWAt 180 calories (lower than most bars), this skews toward a lighter snack. Calories are shared across protein and carbs, with fat playing a smaller role; some carbohydrate calories are tempered by the added soluble fiber, which counts fewer calories than sugar. It’s a good size for a mid‑morning hold‑over or pre‑workout bite without feeling heavy.
Vitamins & Minerals
This bar is fortified: a vitamin/mineral blend drives big B‑vitamin numbers (for example, 150% DV biotin; 40% DV B12 and B5; ~15–25% DV of B1, B2, B3, B6, and folate). Dairy ingredients also naturally add some riboflavin and calcium, and you’ll see around 10% DV for calcium, iron, and zinc. Most of the micronutrient lift, though, comes from fortification rather than the fruit or oats.
Additives
Expect a modern, engineered bar: soluble corn fiber and maize dextrin increase fiber and help texture; vegetable glycerin keeps it soft; soy lecithin and xanthan gum stabilize; citric acid brightens; and sucralose adds sweetness without more sugar. The coating uses refined fats (including fractionated palm kernel oil) to stay crisp and creamy at room temp. All common choices in coated bars, though people with sensitive stomachs may notice gas or bloating from larger doses of added fibers.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cassava root
Corn starch
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Oil palm fruit
Cow's milk whey byproduct
Cow's milk
Cultured cow's milk
Cow's milk
Soybeans
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 leads the applause. Across Reddit and Amazon, people are surprised by how dessert‑like it is without the chalk or chemical aftertaste that haunts some protein bars.
The texture gets love, too: crisp bits and a creamy coating make it feel more treat than chore.
The macro profile—15g protein for 180 calories—hits that “I want protein but not a whole meal” sweet spot, and several reviewers note it keeps them satisfied between meals or after a workout.
Compared with some mainstream snack bars, it brings more protein per calorie, and it stays gluten‑free while doing it. The B‑vitamin fortification is a cherry on top for folks who like a little micronutrient assist in their snack.
Main Criticism
If you prefer ultra‑simple ingredients, this won’t be your bar. The yogurt‑style coating relies on refined fats and dairy powders for that creamy snap, and sweetness comes from both sugar and a small amount of sucralose.
Some sensitive stomachs may notice the added fibers (soluble corn fiber, maize dextrin) and glycerin, which help texture but can cause gas or bloating in higher amounts. Taste can skew sweet for palates used to plainer bars.
And while this flavor’s total fat is modest at 6 grams, the broader “Lean” branding has been challenged in court—GNC disputes the interpretation, but the labeling conversation lingers for shoppers who key in on that word.
Lastly, it contains both soy and milk, which knocks it out of contention for those avoiding either.
The Middle Ground
So which is it: smart snack or stealth candy bar? The truth sits somewhere practical.
If you prioritize taste, portability, and a lighter calorie lift, this Strawberry Yogurt bar earns its fans—reviewers consistently call it satisfying without the usual protein‑bar grit. If your north star is a short, whole‑food ingredient list, the engineered coating, refined fibers, and sucralose will feel like the wrong direction.
On the “lean” question, legal briefs argue about definitions; GNC counters it’s a lifestyle label.
For everyday eaters, the more relevant point is that this flavor lands at 15g protein, 6g fat, and 180 calories—objectively on the lighter side for a coated bar—even if it’s not “minimalist.
” In other words: great if you want a strawberry‑and‑yogurt treat with real protein; less great if you’re chasing bare‑bones ingredients or avoiding artificial sweeteners.
What's the bottom line?
GNC Total Lean Strawberry Yogurt nails the assignment for a light, sweet‑leaning protein snack: 15 grams of protein, 180 calories, and a creamy, tangy strawberry vibe that many people actually enjoy finishing. It’s gluten‑free, vegetarian, and fortified with B vitamins, with real strawberry pieces to keep it lively. “I need something” moment.
The trade‑offs are the modern bar playbook: a yogurt‑style coating built with dairy powders and palm‑kernel‑derived fats, refined fibers to keep texture soft, and a touch of sucralose to hold sugars at 8 grams. If you avoid soy or dairy, want only whole‑food ingredients, or dislike any artificial sweetness, you’ll likely pass. But if you’re fine with a more engineered bar and want fruit‑forward flavor without a calorie wallop, this is an easy, genuinely tasty pick—more “strawberries‑and‑cream” than drywall‑and‑regret.