PhD Nutrition
Strawberry & Cream
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A confection‑style, layered bar that tastes like a treat but still delivers around 22 grams of mostly dairy‑based protein with very low labeled sugars. It comes in a broad flavor lineup and even has a plant version for those who want it.
When to choose PhD Nutrition Strawberry & Cream
Reach for it after a workout or during the 4 p. m.
slump when you want something indulgent yet substantial—about 247 calories—without a big sugar hit. Skip it if sugar alcohols bother your stomach or if you prefer ultra‑minimal, whole‑food bars.
What's in the PhD Nutrition bar?
Strawberry & Cream, meet the lab coat.
PhD Nutrition builds the flavor with a white‑chocolate shell (cocoa butter, whole‑milk powder, vanilla) for the “cream,” and a berry caramel that leans on freeze‑dried raspberry powder, natural berry flavors, and beetroot for that pink hue—despite the strawberry name.
Underneath, a dairy‑led protein blend (calcium caseinate and whey) plus soy isolate and a little collagen drives 22 grams of protein near the top of the category. Sweetness leans on maltitol, glycerol, and a tapioca‑derived syrup rather than table sugar, so sugars stay low while calories remain more snack‑meal than nibble.
- Protein
- 22 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Carbohydrates
- 23 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 247
Protein
2215HIGHProtein comes from a four‑way blend led by milk proteins—calcium caseinate and whey—supported by soy protein isolate and a smaller dose of bovine collagen. Casein and whey deliver complete, highly digestible amino acids; soy helps round out the profile, while collagen largely supports texture and does not count as a complete protein. With 22 grams, this lands near the top of the category.
Fat
99MIDMost fat comes from cocoa butter in the white‑chocolate coating, with a supporting role from rapeseed (canola) oil and small amounts from dairy. Cocoa butter brings more saturated fat (largely stearic acid, relatively neutral for LDL), while canola contributes mostly heart‑friendly unsaturated fats. At 8.5g, it’s a moderate fat bar with a confectionery tilt.
Carbs
2320MIDThe carbs skew refined rather than whole‑food: maltitol (a sugar alcohol), a tapioca‑derived syrup called isomaltooligosaccharide for bulk and bind, glycerol for moisture, and a touch of fast‑digesting tapioca starch. This keeps label sugars low and can blunt some spikes versus straight sugar, though many IMO grades behave like regular carbs and polyols can upset sensitive stomachs. Expect smoother energy than a sugar‑bomb cookie, but not the slow, steady burn you’d get from oats or other whole‑grain bases.
Sugar
24MIDOnly 2.4g of sugars show up on the label, mostly from natural lactose in milk ingredients with a small contribution from condensed milk and berries. Sweetness instead comes from sugar alcohols (maltitol), glycerol, and a tapioca‑derived bulking syrup—highly processed carbohydrates that reduce sugar while still adding energy. That swap can soften blood‑sugar swings for many people, though polyols may cause gas or bloating at higher intakes.
Calories
247210HIGHAt 247 calories, this is a more substantial snack. The total reflects a protein‑dense core plus confection‑style layers—white chocolate and a berry caramel—held together by bulk sweeteners and a bit of oil. In practice, calories are shared across protein, refined carbs, and moderate fat, making it feel closer to a mini meal than a tiny nibble.
Vitamins & Minerals
No standout micronutrients are listed above 10% DV. Dairy ingredients may add small amounts of calcium and B‑vitamins, and the berry/beet components bring polyphenols and color, but they’re present at flavoring levels. This bar’s strength is protein, not vitamins.
Additives
This is an engineered, confection‑style formula: soy lecithin smooths the coatings, glycerol keeps everything soft, and bulking sweeteners like maltitol and isomaltooligosaccharide provide chew and sweetness with less sugar. These are highly refined ingredients commonly used in sugar‑reduced chocolates and caramels. If you prefer short‑ingredient lists and minimal processing, this won’t read ‘simple,’ but it achieves the intended texture and taste.
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
Soybeans
Vegetable oils and animal fats
Raspberries
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
Fans champion two things: taste and staying power. Multiple reviewers—from Men’s Fitness to everyday gym‑goers—call out flavors that lean rich rather than syrupy, with textures that feel more candy‑bar than “chalk brick.
” Reddit love notes range from “fantastic” to “so so good,” and Amazon’s Steven crowned it among the tastiest he’s tried.
The macros also hit a sweet spot for a daily bar: roughly 22 grams of protein from highly digestible milk proteins, supported by soy, for a satisfying snack that many find genuinely filling.
The variety helps too; there’s a long flavor list and even a plant edition, so most people can find a fit.
Main Criticism
The biggest caution is digestive comfort. Sweetness comes from maltitol and other refined bulk sweeteners, which can cause gas or bloating for some—Men’s Fitness flags the high polyol content for exactly this reason.
Texture is another divider: several sources note chewiness, and a few flavors can read slightly gritty. Taste isn’t universally adored either; one Redditor called a toffee‑popcorn flavor “rank,” which is a reminder that flavor selection matters.
And while sugars are low, Coach points out the overall carbs and fats are a touch higher than in some ultra‑lean rivals.
The Middle Ground
So which story wins—the dessert lover’s dream or the too‑processed pass? Probably both, depending on your priorities.
If you want a bar that feels like a treat but still provides real protein, the Smart Bar excels; 22 grams from casein and whey is serious, and that layered build is exactly why so many reviewers keep buying.
But the very engineering that makes it taste like a candy bar—sugar alcohols, tapioca‑derived syrups, and emulsifiers—won’t thrill folks who prefer short, kitchen‑pantry ingredient lists.
Coach’s note that it won’t slay a “serious sweet craving” may simply be flavor‑dependent; plenty of fans disagree, while Reddit user [unknown] who said “disgusting” might’ve picked a miss or just has different taste.
And for post‑workout, Muscle Plus is right: a simple whey shake is faster and cheaper for protein alone. The truth sits in the middle—this is a thoughtfully engineered, dessert‑leaning bar that trades whole‑food simplicity for flavor and texture.
What's the bottom line?
PhD Nutrition’s Smart Bar is a candy‑adjacent protein fix: layered, indulgent, and genuinely high in protein. It’s best for people who want a treat that also feeds recovery or holds them through the afternoon. You’re getting around 247 calories, 22 grams of protein, low labeled sugars, and a texture that feels more confection than clinic.
The trade‑offs are the usual suspects—refined sweeteners and potential polyol tummy grumbles—plus a texture that can be chewy depending on the flavor. If you tolerate sugar alcohols well and you like a candy‑bar feel, this is an easy everyday pick; start with a single bar or a mini to find your winning flavor.
If you prefer short, whole‑food ingredient lists or need something feather‑light on the stomach right after training, a simpler bar or a shake will suit you better. slump—just skip if polyols don’t agree with you.