IQBAR
Banana Nut
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
Banana-bread flavor with a short, plant-centered label—no sugar alcohols, a generous vitamin E boost, and a pinch of lion’s mane for the brand’s brain-nutrient theme.
When to choose IQBAR Banana Nut
Plant-based and keto-leaning snackers who want steady energy in 180 calories, avoid sugar alcohols and dairy, and are happy with 12g of protein rather than a 20g “protein bomb. ”
What's in the IQBAR bar?
IQBAR’s Banana Nut keeps the flavor cues classic—real banana, warm cinnamon, and almond crunch—while swapping dairy for pea protein. The macro pattern is distinctive: moderate protein, low carbs, and higher fats from almonds and coconut oil, which keeps calories in check yet makes the bar satisfyingly rich.
You also get a standout hit of vitamin E and a prebiotic fiber blend for texture and steadier energy, with stevia providing sweetness without relying on syrups. In short, it tastes like banana bread meets trail mix, built from bananas and almonds, with modern, thoughtful ingredients doing the quiet work in the background.
- Protein
- 12 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Carbohydrates
- 11 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 180
Protein
1215MIDProtein here comes from a pea protein blend and crisped pea pieces made with pea protein and a little tapioca starch for crunch. That delivers 12 grams per bar—moderate among protein bars—with a clean, dairy- and soy-free profile. Pea protein is generally well digested and high quality for a plant source, though those with legume allergies should be cautious.
Fat
149HIGHMost of the fat comes from almonds, supported by coconut oil. Almonds bring mostly heart-friendly monounsaturated fats and natural vitamin E, while coconut oil is largely saturated and gives the bar structure and a pleasant melt. At 14 grams, fat runs higher than many bars, which boosts fullness; if you’re watching LDL cholesterol, balance it with unsaturated oils elsewhere in your day.
Carbs
1120LOWCarbs are kept low and come mainly from banana and a prebiotic blend of soluble fibers made from cassava (tapioca), plus a small amount of tapioca starch in the crisps. Because resistant dextrin–type fibers don’t fully digest, and the banana rides along with fat and protein, the energy tends to feel steadier than a sugar-based bar. Sensitive stomachs should note that added soluble fibers can ferment and cause a bit of gas for some people.
Sugar
24MIDOnly 2 grams of sugar, largely from the banana itself, with sweetness rounded out by stevia leaf extract, a zero-calorie sweetener purified from the plant. There are no sugar alcohols or syrups here; refined soluble fibers and stevia supply body and sweetness without a big glucose surge. Some people notice a faint stevia aftertaste, but the banana–cinnamon profile helps keep it in the background.
Calories
180210LOWDespite the richer fat sources, the bar lands at 180 calories, lighter than many protein bars. Most calories come from fat (almonds and coconut oil), with a meaningful share from protein and relatively few digestible carbs thanks to added fiber. Think compact, satisfying snack rather than a full meal replacement.
Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin E is the standout at about 90% Daily Value, driven by almonds and a small addition of vitamin E that also helps protect freshness. You also pick up modest minerals like iron and potassium from pea protein and banana, though they sit below 10% DV. For a 180-calorie bar, that’s a generous antioxidant bump.
Additives
The recipe uses a few modern helpers: a prebiotic blend of soluble tapioca and vegetable fiber (refined resistant dextrins) for texture and lower net carbs, and stevia extract for sweetness at tiny doses. Natural flavors and a sprinkle of lion’s mane appear in small amounts. It’s a concise label with no sugar alcohols or emulsifiers, though the fibers are manufactured rather than whole-food.
Ingredient List
Almond tree seeds
Yellow pea seeds
Cassava root
Cassava root starch
Corn or tapioca starch; chicory root
Bananas
Coconuts
Inner bark of cinnamon trees
Cultivated Hericium erinaceus mushroom
Stevia leaves
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I love my IQ bars!”
“I just found iQ bars. Really love them and they have a lot flavors. 2-3 net carbs, 1g sugar, 12g protein”
“IQ bars. Healthiest cleanest ingredient list I’ve found, 2-3g net carbs. Sweetened with stevia. Can buy them online from Costco (bulk) or amazon”
Main Praise
Across editorial roundups and thousands of customer ratings, IQBAR Banana Nut shines for taste, texture, and sensible macros. Good Housekeeping testers praised the soft-meets-crunch bite, while Women’s Health highlighted how smooth and easy the bars are to snack on.
Verywell Fit’s panel liked the nutty, lightly sweet profile and low digestible carbs without added sugar. On Amazon, buyers repeatedly call the bars satiating with a thoughtfully short ingredient list; one reviewer even leaned on them during gestational diabetes and postpartum for quick, dependable fuel.
In keto and diabetes Reddit threads, people applaud the stevia-sweetened approach and the brand’s vegan, gluten-free build. Fans also note that the blend of almonds and fiber keeps hunger in check despite the small footprint.
Main Criticism
The most common knocks come down to finish and feel. If stevia isn’t your sweetener, you may notice a faint aftertaste—Good Housekeeping flags this, and some Amazon reviewers agree.
Texture can be polarizing: a few Redditors find it chalky or dense, with one dramatic comment calling the bars “DISGUSTIIIIING,” which says as much about internet theatrics as it does about the bar.
Practically, 12 grams of protein won’t satisfy those hunting for 20-gram whey-like numbers, and the added prebiotic fibers can prod sensitive stomachs—especially if you down more than one in a day.
Price perceptions also skew negative when shoppers inadvertently buy single bars at a premium instead of boxes.
The Middle Ground
Put the praise and gripes together and a clear picture emerges. IQBAR Banana Nut isn’t trying to be a meal-replacement heavyweight; it’s a compact, plant-based snack that trades maximal protein for balance and digestibility.
The pea-protein base is milder than many vegan bars, but if you already dislike pea protein, this won’t convert you—one Redditor’s “Pea protein. Woof.
” captures that sentiment. On sweetness, banana and cinnamon do a lot of heavy lifting, and for many tasters the stevia stays in the background; for the stevia-averse, it’s a hard no.
The manufactured prebiotic fibers help keep sugar low and texture soft, yet they can ferment for some—so starting with one bar is a smart test. And the lion’s mane?
It’s a small sprinkle: interesting, not decisive; if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or on specific meds, a quick check with your clinician is prudent.
What's the bottom line?
If you want banana-bread comfort in a bar that’s vegan, gluten-free, low in digestible carbs, and free of sugar alcohols, IQBAR’s Banana Nut is a thoughtful pick. The macros—12 grams of protein, 14 grams of fats from almonds and coconut, 11 grams of carbs with lots of fiber, and 2 grams of sugar—deliver steady, satisfying energy in just 180 calories, plus an unusually generous dose of vitamin E. It won’t be everyone’s favorite: stevia can linger for sensitive palates, and 12 grams of protein isn’t a meal-replacement move.
But for afternoon slumps, pre-commute snacks, or a light post-workout bite when you don’t want whey or a sugar rush, it punches above its size. Love banana bread, tolerate stevia, and prefer no sugar alcohols? This one’s an easy yes.
Listicle quick take: A plant-based “banana bread” bar with 12g protein and 180 calories, built on almonds, prebiotic fiber, and no sugar alcohols—just stevia and real banana. Best for keto-leaning, gluten-free snackers who want steady energy; skip it if stevia or pea protein isn’t your thing.