PhD Nutrition
Cookies & Cream
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A layered, candy‑bar build (chocolate coating, caramel, cookie‑style crunch) that still delivers 22g of protein and only 2g sugar, with a broad flavor roster and a separate plant line for non‑dairy eaters.
When to choose PhD Nutrition Cookies & Cream
Reach for it when you want a dessert‑like protein top‑up after the gym or a satisfying afternoon snack. Best for people who value high protein and low sugar and are fine with sugar alcohols; less ideal for minimal‑ingredient purists or very sensitive stomachs.
What's in the PhD Nutrition bar?
PhD Nutrition’s Cookies & Cream Protein Bar reads like a classic confection engineered for gym people: a maltitol‑sweetened milk‑chocolate coating, a soft caramel layer, and cookie‑like crispy soy pieces for crunch, all wrapped around a big hit of protein.
That protein comes from a blend anchored in milk proteins (calcium caseinate and whey concentrate), backed by soy isolate and a dose of collagen peptides. Carbs lean more “engineered” than whole‑food—think sugar alcohols and a tapioca‑derived binder rather than oats or dates—which helps keep sugar low while preserving chew.
Fats mostly come from cocoa butter (chocolate) and rapeseed oil, giving a mix of saturated and heart‑friendly unsaturated fats. The flavor’s “cookies” notes come from cocoa and chocolate; the “cream” comes from vanilla flavorings and dairy components in the coating and caramel.
- Protein
- 22 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Carbohydrates
- 23 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 246
Protein
2215HIGHThe 22g of protein are driven by a dairy‑led blend: calcium caseinate and whey concentrate supply complete, highly digestible protein, with soy isolate adding more complete plant protein and collagen peptides contributing texture (but not a complete amino acid profile). Caseinate digests more slowly while whey is faster, so together they cover both immediate and sustained amino acid delivery. Net effect: a high‑quality protein hit with a small caveat that part of it (collagen) isn’t doing the heavy lifting for muscle on its own.
Fat
99MIDMost of the 8.6g of fat comes from cocoa butter in the chocolate and a smaller share from rapeseed (canola) oil. Cocoa butter is richer in saturated fat (mainly stearic acid, which is relatively neutral for LDL), while rapeseed brings predominantly unsaturated fat, which is generally heart‑friendlier. The total sits around mid‑pack—enough for a satisfying bite and creamy coating without feeling heavy.
Carbs
2320MIDThese 23g of carbs skew “engineered” over “whole”: sweetness and bulk come from maltitol (a sugar alcohol), a tapioca‑derived isomaltooligosaccharide binder, a touch of glycerol for moisture, and some tapioca starch—plus small amounts of lactose from the dairy. That combo typically blunts blood‑sugar swings compared with straight sugar, though many IMO syrups behave more like regular carbs, and maltitol still contributes calories. Expect steadier energy than candy, but not the slow‑burn you’d get from oats or nuts.
Sugar
24MIDSugar stays low at 2g because most sweetness comes from sugar alcohols and binders rather than table sugar—maltitol carries the flavor here, with minor lactose from milk‑based ingredients. That keeps the glycemic hit lower than a sugary bar, but it’s still refined sweetness, not fruit. If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, stick to one bar and see how your stomach feels.
Calories
246210HIGHAt 246 calories (upper tier among bars), the load is split across substantial protein, confection‑style fats from the coating, and bulk sweeteners that still add energy. Maltitol and glycerol are lower‑calorie than sugar but not calorie‑free, so the layered chocolate‑and‑caramel build keeps the count higher. It works as a solid snack or a small meal stand‑in, especially around training.
Vitamins & Minerals
There are no standout vitamins or minerals listed over 10% DV. You’ll get small amounts of calcium and B‑vitamins naturally from the milk proteins and milk powder, but this bar isn’t trying to be a multivitamin—its headline is protein.
Additives
Expect a modern bar toolkit: soy lecithin to keep the chocolate smooth, glycerol to hold moisture, maltitol for bulked sweetness, and a tapioca‑derived isomaltooligosaccharide to bind the layers. These are highly processed but common in reduced‑sugar confections, used to deliver candy‑bar texture with fewer sugars. If you prefer minimalist labels and whole‑food carbs, this skews more “engineered treat” than “pantry‑only” bar.
Ingredient List
Cow's milk
Cow's milk whey
Cattle hides, bones, connective tissue
Defatted soybean flakes
Corn or wheat
Cocoa beans
Cow's milk
Ground roasted cocoa bean nibs
Soybeans
Vegetable oils and animal fats
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Smart PhD bars are fantastic and the one I ate in the video. Comes in a variety of different flavours. You can also get these in plant / vegan editions.”
“I loved the mini phd smart blondie bars for a season, they were so so good.”
“PhD smart plant is my go to if I want something more filling, 21g of protein and definitely satisfies the hunger craving”
Main Praise
Taste and texture lead the fan club here.
Across Reddit and Amazon, people call out the Smart Bar as “fantastic,” “so so good,” and one of the tastiest bars they’ve tried, especially if they like a real chocolate‑and‑caramel experience rather than a dry slab.
Reviewers also appreciate the variety—there are full‑size bars, minis, and a plant version—so you can match flavor and format to your day.
Independent reviews back that up: Men’s Fitness and Coach both position it as a reliable everyday option with meaningful protein for recovery and a sweetness level that doesn’t clobber your palate.
Practically, it’s filling enough to tide you over, and when bought on offer, Muscle Plus UK notes it can be good value.
Main Criticism
The biggest flag is digestive tolerance.
The sweetness and chew come largely from sugar alcohols, especially maltitol, and Men’s Fitness cautions that high polyol content can upset sensitive stomachs—something echoed by Redditors who suggest sticking to one bar.
Texture isn’t universally loved either: some flavors can skew very chewy or slightly gritty, depending on inclusions like cocoa nibs. A few users simply disliked particular flavors outright, reminding us that the line is broad—and hit‑or‑miss for certain taste buds.
Finally, compared to the leanest competitors, carbs and fats sit a touch higher, and several lifters still prefer a straightforward whey shake immediately post‑workout for speed and cost.
The Middle Ground
Here’s where the truth lands between the swooning and the side‑eye. If you want a protein bar that actually resembles a confection, PhD Smart Bar nails the brief—layered texture, real chocolate, and 22g of protein per bar with 2g sugar.
But that low sugar comes via refined sweeteners, mostly maltitol, which many people tolerate fine, and some decidedly do not.
Reddit’s succinct critic—“They taste terrible though 😅”—might have picked a polarizing flavor (Toffee Popcorn does divide the room), while plenty of others rave about Cookies & Cream and the blondie minis.
On the numbers, 246 calories with 23g carbs and 8.
6g fat makes it more ‘substantial snack’ than ultra‑lean cutter, and the protein blend leans dairy‑first for quality, with a bit of collagen in the mix that doesn’t move muscle recovery much on its own.
So if you want a candy‑adjacent bar that pulls its protein weight and you’re cool with modern sweeteners, this is an easy win; if you’re polyol‑sensitive or chasing the shortest, most whole‑food label, it won’t be your north star.
What's the bottom line?
PhD’s Smart Bar, especially in Cookies & Cream, is a crowd‑pleaser for people who want dessert energy with gym credentials. You get 22g of protein in a properly indulgent format, and most flavors land in the “I’d eat that again” zone. The cost of the candy‑bar charm is modern sweeteners and a higher‑chew texture, plus an occasional flavor miss depending on your palate.
It isn’t a vitamin play, it isn’t strictly low‑carb, and it definitely isn’t minimalist—but as a satisfying, low‑sugar, high‑protein snack, it earns its spot. Condensed take for the listicle: A layered, dessert‑like bar that delivers 22g protein with 2g sugar and 246 calories—great for a post‑workout top‑up or a crave‑worthy afternoon snack. Big win if you tolerate sugar alcohols; skip if you want whole‑food ingredients or you’re very polyol‑sensitive.