Nature Valley
Peanut, Almond & Dark Chocolate
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A true nut‑forward, gluten‑free bar with a distinct crunchy chew, 10 grams of mixed‑source protein (soy isolate plus a touch of whey), and no artificial sweeteners—positioned as a value pick that actually tastes good.
When to choose Nature Valley Peanut, Almond & Dark Chocolate
Reach for it when you want a satisfying, grab‑and‑go snack with a meaningful protein bump—not a 20‑gram protein meal replacement—like on the commute, between meetings, or to tame the 3 p.
m. snack attack.
What's in the Nature Valley bar?
Think of Nature Valley’s Peanut, Almond & Dark Chocolate Protein Bar as a crunchy nut bar with a protein assist.
The protein boost comes mostly from soy protein isolate with a supporting cameo from whey protein concentrate, while roasted peanuts and almonds add their own smaller share and the “dark chocolate” flavor comes from cocoa.
Chew and sweetness are built with chicory root fiber plus a mix of refined sugars and syrups, which keeps total calories moderate; at the same time, fat runs on the higher side for the category (nuts, seeds, coconut, and palm‑based oils) and carbs are comparatively modest.
In other words, it eats like a satisfying nut bar—just with a modest, mixed‑source protein lift.
- Protein
- 10 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Carbohydrates
- 15 g
- Sugar
- 6 g
- Calories
- 200
Protein
1015LOWMost of the 10 grams of protein comes from soy protein isolate, a highly refined but complete plant protein, with whey protein concentrate adding a high‑quality dairy complement; peanuts and almonds chip in a little. This combo covers amino acids well, but the total protein lands on the lighter side versus many protein bars. Expect more “snack with protein” than “protein‑first” performance.
Fat
129HIGHFats are mostly from peanuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds—rich in unsaturated fats—plus toasted coconut and a blend of palm/palm‑kernel and canola oils. Those tropical oils push saturated fat upward and improve shelf‑stable texture, while canola and the nuts keep plenty of heart‑friendly unsaturated fat in the mix. Net effect: a mixed fat profile, more nut‑forward than olive‑oil clean.
Carbs
1520LOWHere, carbohydrates lean more refined than whole‑food: corn syrup and dextrose (glucose), fructose, and rice/corn starches deliver quick energy. Chicory root extract adds soluble fiber and body, helping blunt the surge a bit and giving the bar its chew, while the nuts bring minimal carbs of their own. The result is a quick lift that’s tempered—but not transformed—by fiber and fat.
Sugar
64MIDSweetness comes largely from refined added sugars—sugar (sucrose), corn syrup (glucose), fructose, and dextrose—rather than fruit; glycerin and chicory root fiber supply moisture and mild sweetness without counting much toward sugar grams. The sugar total stays moderate and there are no artificial sweeteners, but it’s still built on refined sugars and syrups. If you’re sensitive to rapid spikes, the fat and fiber help smooth things out, though portions still matter.
Calories
200210MIDAt about 200 calories, most of the energy comes from fats in the nuts and added oils, with refined carbs next and protein the smallest slice. That balance makes it pleasantly filling for a snack, but not a high‑protein meal replacement. Pair it with yogurt or a shake if you need a bigger protein hit.
Vitamins & Minerals
There’s no vitamin or mineral standout here—nothing crosses the 10% Daily Value mark. The small iron bump likely comes from cocoa and nuts, with a little calcium from the whey and nuts; potassium is modest. Think of it as protein and energy, not a micronutrient delivery system.
Additives
To hold a chunky nut bar together, this recipe leans on modern helpers: soy lecithin to keep fats and moisture in line, vegetable glycerin to stay soft, and rice/corn starches plus chicory root extract for structure. The sweetener system (corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, sugar) is highly refined. It’s a fairly processed bind‑and‑sweeten approach—common for the style—rather than a short, pantry‑only ingredient list.
Ingredient List
Groundnut plant seeds
Almond tree seeds
Defatted soybean flakes
Chicory roots
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Field corn starch
Oil palm fruit
Rapeseed
Cow's milk whey
Sunflower plant seeds
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“My family loves these bars. They are the least chalky and weird texture tasting bar we've had. So glad I grabbed a few more boxes when they were on sale.”
“I was looking for protein bars that had the fewest calories and lowest sugar per bar for the same purpose. I spent around 20 minutes in Target a couple of months ago comparing virtually everything and landed on the Nature Valley Protein Salted Caramel Nut bars. I thought for sure one of the more expensive brands was going to "win", but pleasantly surprised. I like the taste too. They have 10g protein and 200 calories.”
“Nature valley has a protein bar that’s chocolate and nuts. It’s not as much protein but I love crunchy things and that just hits the spot. Same calories as a Quest bar.”
Main Praise
Taste and texture come up again and again. Reviewers love that it’s crunchy and not chalky—the rare protein bar you don’t have to power through.
Several shoppers keep a box in the car or desk because one bar reliably tides them over to a proper meal. Dietitians in roundups have also called the Nature Valley protein line a strong value: balanced macros for the price without resorting to artificial sweeteners.
The flavor here reads like a classic trail‑mix mix—peanuts, almonds, a ribbon of dark‑chocolate flavor—so it scratches the sweet‑and‑salty itch without feeling like dessert. Practical bonus: it’s widely available, and the peanut‑and‑almond base helps it feel more like real food than protein paste.
Main Criticism
Protein density is the biggest knock: 10 grams is helpful, but it won’t replace a shake or a high‑protein bar after a heavy lift. Some critics bristle at the processed bits—the refined sugars and syrups, plus palm‑based oils that nudge saturated fat upward.
A subset of people report digestive discomfort; the chicory root fiber (a prebiotic) can be gassy for sensitive stomachs. And while many find the texture pleasantly crunchy, a few describe certain flavors in the line as dry or a touch artificial.
If you avoid soy, milk, or peanuts/tree nuts, this bar is an easy no.
The Middle Ground
So, is it a candy bar in gym clothes, as one Redditor quipped? Not quite.
It brings 10 grams of complete protein from soy isolate with a little whey, meaningful fiber from chicory root, and a nut‑heavy base that actually satisfies.
But the critics aren’t hallucinating, either: the sweetener system relies on refined sugars (sugar, corn syrup, fructose, dextrose), and the tropical oils do contribute saturated fat—choices that trade purity for texture, flavor, and shelf stability.
Another commenter called it a “fat bar” because fat grams beat protein grams. Fair point—this is a nut bar first, so you’re getting the satiety of fats alongside a protein assist.
If your goal is protein‑per‑calorie supremacy, you’ll find stronger options. If you want something that crunches, tastes good, and won’t melt into a chalk brick, this flavor sits comfortably in the “snack with protein” lane.
The open question is your priority: maximal protein, or a reliably tasty snack that pulls its weight?
What's the bottom line?
Nature Valley’s Peanut, Almond & Dark Chocolate Protein Bar is a crowd‑pleasing, gluten‑free, nut‑forward snack with a legit protein bump and none of the chalky aftertaste that haunts this category. At 200 calories with 10 grams of protein, it fills the gap between meals without pretending to be a meal. The sweetness leans on refined sugars rather than fruit, and the palm‑based oils raise saturated fat compared with bars that use only nut butters or unsaturated oils—tradeoffs that explain both its appealing texture and the criticism from purists.
If you need 20 grams of protein or avoid soy, milk, or nuts, look elsewhere. But if you want a budget‑friendly bar that tastes like a crunchy trail‑mix square, keeps you satisfied, and skips artificial sweeteners, this one earns a permanent spot in the snack rotation. Pair it with yogurt or a latte for a higher‑protein breakfast, or keep it in your bag for the moments when “I’ll eat later” stops being realistic.