GNC Total Lean
Whipped Chocolate Mousse
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A whipped, mousse-like texture that eats like dessert while delivering 16g of complete protein and 190 calories—gluten-free and unmistakably candy‑bar-esque.
When to choose GNC Total Lean Whipped Chocolate Mousse
A post‑workout sweet tooth or an afternoon slump when you want a dessert-like protein snack without a huge calorie or sugar load (if you’re fine with dairy, soy, and sugar alcohols).
What's in the GNC Total Lean bar?
Whipped Chocolate Mousse sets the tone with Dutch‑processed cocoa and natural flavors, while the structure is classic bar engineering: a whey‑and‑soy protein base, some casein for stability, and a cameo from collagen.
Macros land in the snackable zone—protein a bit above average, carbs on the lower side for the category, and calories lighter than most—achieved by swapping some sugar for sugar alcohols, glycerin, and a hint of sucralose.
The fat blend leans on palm and seed oils to keep that mousse‑like chew.
If you’re wondering what’s behind the chocolate flavor and the numbers you see on the label, the short story is cocoa for taste, refined carbs for sweetness and binding, and dairy‑plus‑soy proteins for the muscle‑helping work.
- Protein
- 16 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Carbohydrates
- 14 g
- Sugar
- 5 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
1615MIDThe 16 grams of protein come from a blend of whey protein concentrate/isolate and soy protein isolate, with sodium caseinate in support. There’s also a bit of bovine collagen hydrolysate—useful for texture, but not a complete protein. The dairy‑and‑soy combo delivers a complete amino acid profile and generally digests quickly; the collagen is better seen as filler than a muscle driver.
Fat
109MIDTen grams of fat are supplied mostly by refined oils—palm and palm kernel (more saturated) alongside soybean and sunflower (mostly omega‑6). A smaller share likely comes from the almond and peanut pieces, adding some unsaturated fat. This mix favors shelf stability and a creamy bite, but it leans away from whole‑food fats as the primary source.
Carbs
1420LOWThe 14 grams of carbs are largely refined—sugar and corn syrup plus quick‑digesting starches like maltodextrin and tapioca—so they deliver fast energy more than slow‑burn fuel. “Sugars” stay comparatively low because sweetness also comes from sugar alcohols (maltitol, sorbitol) and glycerin, with a tiny lift from sucralose. Expect a gentler spike than candy thanks to the protein and fat, but the carb quality reads more confection than whole‑grain.
Sugar
54MIDOnly 5 grams of sugar appear on the label, coming from added sugar and corn syrup plus a little milk sugar from whey. Sweetness is mainly carried by sugar alcohols (maltitol, sorbitol), glycerin, and a touch of sucralose, which cut sugar grams without losing sweetness. That’s friendly to teeth and total sugar, though larger polyol intakes can bother sensitive stomachs.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories—lighter than many bars—most energy comes from fat plus protein, with a modest assist from carbs. Polyols and glycerin contribute calories while trimming labeled sugars, which helps keep the total down. Think snack‑sized pick‑me‑up rather than meal replacement.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout micronutrients here—nothing tops 10% of daily value. A small iron bump likely comes from cocoa and soy, and a little calcium rides in with the dairy proteins. Vitamin A palmitate and beta‑carotene are present for fortification/color but not at meaningful per‑serving levels.
Additives
The whipped texture and shelf life rely on several emulsifiers and aids—lecithins (soy/sunflower), mono‑ and diglycerides, acetylated monoglycerides, and propylene glycol mono esters—plus potassium sorbate for freshness and silicon dioxide to prevent clumping. Sweetness is tuned with sugar alcohols, glycerin, and sucralose. It’s a fairly processed formula built for confection‑like texture more than a short ingredient list.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk whey
Oil palm fruit
Soybeans
Defatted soybean flakes
Cow's milk whey
Vegetable oils (palm, soy)
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Cattle hides, bones, connective tissue
Corn or wheat
apples and pears
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 and texture are the headline. Across Reddit and Amazon, people keep calling out the candy‑bar feel—soft, whipped interior with real chocolate flavor and none of the chalky aftertaste that sinks so many protein bars.
Several reviewers also point to the satiety-to-calorie ratio: 16g of protein at around 190–200 calories leaves you satisfied without feeling like you just ate a whole meal. Fans like the flavor variety in the line, with mint and cookie‑inspired options getting particular love, and that enthusiasm spills over here—the chocolate reads rich rather than “diet.
” Value lands in the reasonable middle according to shoppers like Eric L. , who noted it delivers more protein per calorie than a typical energy bar while tasting better.
Main Criticism
This is a highly processed bar, and the ingredient list reads long. The sweetness and softness come from refined sweeteners and sugar alcohols (think maltitol and sorbitol) plus glycerin; those can be gentler on labeled sugars but tougher on sensitive stomachs.
The fat blend leans on palm and seed oils, which help with texture but won’t impress anyone seeking whole‑food fats. Some reviewers note that certain flavors in the line carry notable saturated fat, making the ‘lean’ branding feel aspirational.
That branding has even drawn legal scrutiny over whether “lean” is fair—GNC disputes the claim—but it’s a reminder to look at the actual macros rather than the name on the box.
The Middle Ground
So which is it: dessert in disguise or a smart snack? The truth sits in the middle.
If your top priority is a short, pantry‑style ingredient list, this bar won’t win you over; it’s engineered for that whipped bite and consistent sweetness. But if your goal is a candy‑bar‑like treat with a meaningful protein bump and moderate calories, it delivers exactly that.
Amazon’s Cindy S.
celebrated the lack of chalkiness and strange aftertaste—high praise in protein‑bar land—while a Redditor in r/gastricsleeve flagged how one layered flavor felt more like dessert and carried more saturated fat than expected.
Both can be true: it tastes great, and it’s built like a confection.
The ongoing debate over the word “lean” is worth knowing, but your daily decision is simpler—do the macros and ingredients fit what your body handles well and what your goals need?
What's the bottom line?
GNC Total Lean Lean Bar, Whipped Chocolate Mousse, is a “have‑your-dessert-and-some-protein-too” play: 16g of whey‑and‑soy protein for muscle repair, a whipped interior that actually feels mousse‑like, and 190 calories that make it a snack rather than a meal. It’s gluten‑free, but it does contain dairy, soy, and traces of nuts/peanuts. Sweetness relies more on sugar alcohols than sugar, which helps keep sugar grams down but may not agree with every gut.
The fat profile skews toward refined oils, and the ingredient list is long—features, not bugs, if the goal is a candy‑bar texture. If you want a clean‑label, whole‑foods bar, keep looking.
” Condensed listicle take: A whipped, candy‑bar snack with 16g protein at 190 calories and just 5g sugar. Great taste, gluten‑free, and dessert‑like; built on whey + soy and sugar alcohols, so it’s best for folks who tolerate polyols and don’t avoid dairy or soy.