Maximuscle
Peanut Caramel (Better Choice)
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A rare snack‑size bar: 92 calories, 1g sugar, and 7g of milk‑based protein in a peanut–caramel–chocolate package that tastes more confection than supplement. It includes collagen too—helpful context if you assume all dairy bars are vegetarian.
When to choose Maximuscle Peanut Caramel (Better Choice)
Best for a portion‑controlled sweet bite between meals or after lunch when you want dessert vibes with steadier sugars. Not ideal as a heavy post‑workout bar, and not for vegetarians or those avoiding wheat or soy.
What's in the Maximuscle bar?
Maximuscle’s Peanut Caramel (Better Choice) bar is a snack‑size take on the category: a milk‑protein blend (casein plus whey isolate) with a little collagen, dressed in a peanut‑caramel‑meets‑chocolate profile built from peanuts, a sweetened caramel layer, and cocoa butter/cocoa mass.
The macros are petite—just 92 calories and 7. 2g of protein—with very low sugars; that’s the tradeoff you see when sweetness comes from sugar alcohols and a touch of sucralose rather than dates or honey.
Fats come from cocoa butter, coconut and rapeseed (canola) oils, and peanuts—a mix of saturated and unsaturated—while the carbohydrates skew refined (polyols and wheat‑derived dextrin) rather than whole‑grain or fruit. If you want a light bite with dessert‑like flavor and minimal sugar, this sets the stage; below, we unpack what each macro actually means.
- Protein
- 7 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 7 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 92
Protein
715LOWProtein comes primarily from a milk blend—slow‑digesting calcium caseinate paired with fast‑acting whey protein isolate—plus some collagen peptides. That mix delivers 7.2g per bar: complete dairy amino acids do the quality work, while collagen adds grams but isn’t a complete protein on its own. It sits on the low end versus most protein bars, so think top‑up snack rather than recovery anchor.
Fat
59LOWAt 4.9g fat, you’re getting a blend of cocoa butter and a little coconut oil for structure, rapeseed (canola) oil for unsaturated fats, and peanuts for natural nuttiness. That means a mix of saturated and unsaturated fats—coconut and cocoa butter skew more saturated, while canola and peanuts help balance the profile. The total is modest, adding creaminess without heaviness.
Carbs
720LOWThe 6.9g of carbs are engineered more than farm‑fresh: the bar relies on sugar alcohols and dextrin (a refined starch, here from wheat) to build caramel sweetness and chew. These tend to raise blood sugar less than table sugar, so energy should feel steadier, though sensitive guts may notice bloating from polyols in larger amounts. If you’re looking for “clean” carbs from oats or fruit, this takes a different route.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 0.7g of sugar appears on the label because sweetness is handled by sugar alcohols (such as maltitol and sorbitol—reduced‑calorie sweeteners) plus a pinch of sucralose, an artificial sweetener used at tiny doses. That keeps sugars down but leans on highly refined ingredients; some people also find polyols can cause gas or cramping when portions add up. If you prefer sweetness from fruit or syrup, this bar’s approach feels more “sugar‑free confection” than “whole‑food.”
Calories
92210LOWAt just 92 calories, this lands at the very low end for the category. Most of those calories come from small amounts of fat and complete dairy protein, with sweetness supplied largely by lower‑calorie sugar alcohols. It’s a light bridge between meals, not a meal replacement.
Vitamins & Minerals
No micronutrients top 10% Daily Value here. You may get small, natural amounts of calcium and B vitamins from the dairy proteins and a touch of vitamin E from peanuts, but nothing that stands out on a Nutrition Facts panel.
Additives
To deliver a low‑sugar caramel‑and‑chocolate experience, the bar uses a toolbox of additives: sugar alcohols and glycerin to sweeten and keep the texture soft, lecithin and mono‑/diglycerides to emulsify the coating, and sodium citrate to keep the caramel smooth. These are common in reduced‑sugar treats, but they are highly refined rather than whole‑food ingredients. If you’re polyol‑sensitive or prefer very short labels, factor that into your choice.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk casein
Cow's milk whey
Corn or wheat
Sugar cane and sugar beet
Bovine, porcine, fish, chicken tissues
apples and pears
Corn, tapioca, potato, or wheat starch
Coconuts
Fats and oils
Cow's milk
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I recently discovered maximuscle high protein bars and I love them!! Only £1 a pop at sainsburys but I think they were on sale hehe”
“I like the Maxi Nutrition creamy core protein bars. My fav is the peanut caramel; 181 cals, 15g protein, and gives me that sugar hit without being loads of sugar.”
Main Praise
Taste is the headline.
Across Maximuscle/MaxiNutrition chatter, people repeatedly point to chocolate‑bar satisfaction without a sugar wallop; Redditor animalwitch even singled out the peanut caramel flavor for delivering a “sugar hit” without loads of sugar.
Independent reviewers echo that general theme on the brand’s bars: Cyclist called the experience like treating yourself to a chocolate bar, and Supplement Reviews UK said they’re among the best‑tasting options.
Convenience is the second win—no shaker, no mess, just a tidy wrapper and portion control. And for anyone calorie‑counting, this “Better Choice” format is rare: a legit dessert‑leaning bite under 100 calories that still brings complete dairy protein to the party.
Main Criticism
Sweetness can tip too far for some palates, especially if you’re not used to reduced‑sugar confections. The low sugar comes from a mix of sugar alcohols and a touch of sucralose, which some people find bloating in larger amounts.
Protein is modest at 7g, so it’s a top‑up snack rather than a post‑training anchor.
There’s also some label confusion out there because Maximuscle sells several bars with the same flavor but very different macros; a few Reddit threads note higher‑calorie versions—always check the specific wrapper.
Finally, the inclusion of collagen makes this bar non‑vegetarian, and the use of wheat dextrin and soy lecithin rules it out for gluten‑free or soy‑free eaters.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right—the folks calling it a candy‑bar dupe or those wishing for more function? In a way, both.
If you want the big‑bar experience (15–20g protein, more heft), this isn’t it; think of the Better Choice as the little sister that shows up when cravings strike, not the one who spots you on deadlift day.
That said, the taste‑first praise feels earned—multiple reviewers of the brand’s higher‑protein bars rave about flavor and texture, and the peanut‑caramel profile tends to be a crowd‑pleaser.
As for sweetness, Reddit user autecouture loved snagging them on sale and didn’t complain about the taste at all, while others find the brand “okay”—taste is personal, and yes, some days your tongue is just in a mood.
The real dividing line is philosophy: if you prefer short, whole‑food ingredient lists and fruit‑based sweetness, the engineered caramel and sugar alcohols won’t charm you. If you simply want a low‑sugar, portion‑controlled treat with a bit of complete protein, this hits its brief.
What's the bottom line?
Maximuscle’s Peanut Caramel (Better Choice) is a dessert‑leaning mini bar that behaves itself nutritionally: 92 calories, 7g protein, and just 1g sugar, wrapped in a peanut–caramel–chocolate profile that reads indulgent. It’s built for the in‑between moments—commute, desk drawer, post‑lunch sweet tooth—when you want something satisfying that won’t snowball your day’s numbers. The trade‑offs are clear.
You’re getting a confection‑style formula that relies on sugar alcohols and a tiny amount of artificial sweetener, plus collagen (so it’s not vegetarian) and wheat/soy ingredients (so not gluten‑free). You’re not getting a recovery‑size protein hit. But judged for what it is—a small, tasty, low‑sugar bite with complete dairy protein—it’s a smart, tidy option.
Keep it for cravings; reach for a bigger bar or real meal when training demands more. And if someone swipes it from your bag, we get it—this one tastes like it had plans beyond the gym.