Premier Protein
Vanilla Almond
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A protein‑dense bar for the calories, built on a soy‑and‑dairy blend that keeps sugar ultra‑low and serves up an unusually high hit of calcium for a bar.
When to choose Premier Protein Vanilla Almond
Macro‑focused snackers who want a low‑sugar, candy‑bar‑style bite post‑workout or at 3 p. m.
, and who tolerate sugar alcohols and include soy/dairy in their diet.
What's in the Premier Protein bar?
Premier Protein’s Vanilla Almond bar is built like a small food lab: a high‑protein core powered primarily by soy protein isolate, reinforced with milk proteins (calcium caseinate plus whey and milk protein isolates) and a touch of collagen, then finished with vanilla‑almond character from real almonds, a bit of almond butter, and vanilla.
It lands toward the high end for protein while keeping sugars very low by leaning on sugar alcohols and a tiny dose of artificial sweetener. Fats come from tropical oils for structure, with almonds lending some softer, unsaturated balance—so the 230‑calorie profile is really about delivering protein and chew, not whole‑grain carbs.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Calories
- 230
Protein
2015HIGHProtein comes from a blend: soy protein isolate leads the way, with milk‑based proteins (calcium caseinate, whey, and milk protein isolate) backing it up, plus a little hydrolyzed gelatin for texture. That mix gives you complete amino acids from both soy and dairy; collagen isn’t a complete protein on its own, but it helps the bar stay soft. With 20g, it sits toward the top of the category, and the dairy components range from fast‑digesting (whey) to slower (casein).
Fat
99MIDMost fats here come from palm/palm‑kernel and coconut oils, with almonds, almond butter, and a touch of milkfat in the mix. Expect a tilt toward saturated fat from the tropical oils, tempered somewhat by the monounsaturated fats naturally present in almonds. Functionally, these fats keep the bar firm and shelf‑stable; nutritionally, they’re more ‘structure‑first’ than heart‑healthy oils like olive or avocado.
Carbs
2020MIDCarbs are built from refined sweeteners and fibers rather than whole grains: maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and glycerin provide sweetness and softness, while polydextrose adds soluble fiber. This generally smooths the blood‑sugar rise compared with cane sugar, though maltitol still counts toward carbs and can cause gas for sensitive guts. Think steadier than candy, but not the slow‑burn of oats or beans.
Sugar
14LOWOnly 1g of sugar shows up because sweetness is built from sugar alcohols (maltitol), glycerin, and a tiny amount of an artificial sweetener (sucralose). These highly refined sweeteners keep sugar low without fruit; maltitol still nudges blood sugar and can bother some stomachs at higher intakes. Any natural sugars here are incidental—from dairy and nuts.
Calories
230210MIDAt 230 calories, energy is split roughly across protein and fat, with carbs contributing a bit less than their 20g suggest because maltitol and polydextrose have fewer calories per gram than sugar. In other words, you’re paying those calories for a solid 20g protein hit and a satisfying texture rather than a sugar surge.
Vitamins & Minerals
Calcium is the standout at about 38% of daily value, mainly from added calcium carbonate and the milk‑based proteins. Iron reaches roughly 12% of daily value, likely contributed by soy protein isolate. Beyond that, there aren’t notable vitamin callouts.
Additives
This formula leans on several functional additives to deliver sweetness, softness, and stability: maltitol and glycerin for bulked sweetness and moisture, polydextrose for fiber and body, and a tiny lift from sucralose. Emulsifiers and buffers like soy lecithin, sodium citrate, and glyceryl‑lacto esters help the bar hold together. It’s an effective, highly refined build—macro‑friendly, though not a minimal‑ingredient approach.
Ingredient List
Corn or wheat
Defatted soybean flakes
Fats and oils
Cow's milk casein
Bovine, porcine, and fish collagen
Oil palm fruit
Cow's milk whey
Almond tree seeds
Coconuts
Cow’s milk or cream
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“I've been getting these as of late and they don't seem bad at all. They have 30g protein, the highest I've seen protein bars go.”
“I get these at Sam's Club for only $16 for 18 bars which seems great.”
“They’re candy bars with a ton of protein, as far as sugary snacks go there are way worse options. If they keep you on track and hit that craving itch then enjoy!”
Main Praise
Fans praise Premier Protein for delivering a lot of protein without a sugar bomb, and this Vanilla Almond follows that playbook. Multiple reviewers describe the line as “a candy bar with a ton of protein,” which is exactly the appeal if cravings are your Achilles’ heel.
The texture—soft base with crispies and a smooth coating—often gets called out as satisfying rather than chalky, and the almond‑vanilla profile reads comfortingly familiar. The 20g of protein comes from both soy and dairy, which many find keeps them fuller longer than a purely whey‑based bar.
A sleeper perk: the calcium content is notably high for a bar, which is useful if you’re light on dairy otherwise. And for cost‑conscious shoppers, buying these in bulk is a common theme in positive reviews.
Main Criticism
Taste is polarizing. Some reviewers find certain Premier flavors “odd,” “bland,” or even “the worst” they’ve tried—gummy texture and dryness come up, especially in chocolate‑heavy varieties.
The sweetness leans engineered, and a few people pick up an aftertaste from the artificial sweetener. Because the line relies on maltitol, sensitive stomachs can experience gas or bloating if they eat multiple bars in a day.
Ingredient lists are long and decidedly not “whole‑foods‑only,” which can be a deal‑breaker if you want minimal processing. And practical note: coated bars can get messy in summer heat.
The Middle Ground
So which is it—craveable candy‑bar copycat or flavor that falls flat? The truth lands in the middle, and it depends on what you prioritize.
If you come for macros first, the soy‑and‑dairy blend is effective: fast and slow proteins, 20g per bar, and steady sweetness without a sugar rush. That combo explains why some Redditors say it scratches the itch and keeps them on track.
But taste buds vary wildly: Crazy Food Dude found parts of the line boring and gummy, while another blogger called them “wirklich lecker” with a soft, fluffy bite. Both can be true; batch freshness, flavor choice, and your tolerance for sugar alcohols matter.
If you want a short ingredient list and fruit‑sweetened simplicity, this isn’t your bar. If you want reliable protein in a candy‑bar format and your stomach doesn’t mind maltitol, Vanilla Almond earns a spot in the rotation.
What's the bottom line?
Premier Protein’s Vanilla Almond is a pragmatic, macro‑forward snack: 20g of protein in about 230 calories with just 1g of sugar, a candy‑bar feel, and a calcium bump you don’t often see in this category. It’s built with highly refined ingredients to achieve that sweetness and texture, and it owns that identity—this is a protein delivery system dressed as dessert, not a trail mix bar made by a farmers’ market committee. Choose it when you want a low‑sugar protein hit after a workout or as a late‑afternoon rescue, and you’re okay with soy, dairy, and sugar alcohols.
Skip it if you’re sensitive to maltitol, chasing whole‑food minimalism, or expect bold, gourmet flavor. For many, Vanilla Almond will taste like a balanced, not‑too‑sweet treat that quietly does its job. For others, it’ll feel engineered.
Both reactions make sense. Condensed listicle take: Candy‑bar style, 20g protein, 230 calories, 1g sugar, high calcium. Great for macro‑minded snackers who tolerate sugar alcohols; not for whole‑food purists or soy/dairy avoiders.