Transparent Labs
Dark Chocolate Almond
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A short, real‑food ingredient list sweetened with dates and honey—no sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners—paired with 16 grams of complete protein from grass‑fed whey isolate and egg whites.
When to choose Transparent Labs Dark Chocolate Almond
Best for anyone who wants a clean‑label, satiating bar with steady energy between meals or after a workout, and a true dark‑chocolate‑and‑nut‑butter flavor.
What's in the Transparent Labs bar?
Meet Transparent Labs’ Dark Chocolate Almond Protein Bar: a nut‑butter‑forward bar powered by grass‑fed whey isolate and egg whites. Almond butter, dairy‑free dark chocolate chips, natural cocoa, and a pinch of sea salt drive the flavor; dates, gluten‑free rolled oats, and honey hold it together.
Macro‑wise, fat sits on the richer end for protein bars and pushes calories higher, while protein and carbs land near the middle. Sweetness comes from fruit and traditional sugars rather than sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.
If you’re after a bar that eats like a compact mini‑meal and leans on recognizable ingredients, this is it.
- Protein
- 16 g
- Fat
- 17 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Sugar
- 11 g
- Calories
- 270
Protein
1615MIDProtein comes from a duo of grass‑fed whey protein isolate and egg white protein, both complete and highly digestible. At 16 grams, it’s slightly above average for the category—quality over sheer quantity. Whey’s quick absorption and egg whites’ clean profile pair with the bar’s fats and oats to keep you satisfied without the crash.
Fat
179HIGHMost fat comes from peanut and almond butter, with support from coconut oil and cocoa butter in the chocolate. The nuts bring mostly monounsaturated fats, while coconut and chocolate tilt the profile toward saturated fat. It’s richer than most bars—great for fullness and a softer chew, but worth noting if you’re watching saturated fat.
Carbs
2020MIDThe carbs lean whole‑food: dates and gluten‑free rolled oats, with some help from honey and the chocolate chips. Fruit sugars deliver quick energy, while the soluble fiber in oats—plus protein and fat—helps smooth the blood‑sugar curve. Expect steadier energy than a bar built on syrups or starches, though it’s not low‑carb.
Sugar
114HIGHAbout 11 grams of sugar come primarily from dates and honey, plus a little from the chocolate chips. That means sweetness from whole fruit and traditional sugars, not sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners. The bar’s fiber, fat, and protein help temper the impact, but if you track added sugars, this is one to log.
Calories
270210HIGHAt 270 calories, this sits on the higher end for protein bars. Nut butters and coconut oil supply the bulk of the energy, with protein and oats rounding out the rest. Treat it like a compact mini‑meal or a substantial snack between meals.
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron stands out at around 20% of daily value, likely contributed by cocoa/dark chocolate and oats, with a little from nuts and dried fruit. Calcium and potassium show up in smaller amounts. There’s no vitamin premix here—the micronutrients come from the base ingredients.
Additives
This is a short, pantry‑style ingredient list. The more processed pieces—whey protein isolate (a filtered milk protein), coconut oil, and the chocolate chips—are there for protein density, texture, and flavor, but you won’t find gums, sugar alcohols, or artificial sweeteners. Overall, minimal additives for a bar in this category.
Ingredient List
Peanuts
Ground roasted almonds
Date palm fruit
Cow's milk whey
Oat grain
Honey bees collect floral nectar
Cacao beans
Coconuts
Cacao tree seeds
Eggs
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Transparent labs is rated as the cleanest across multiple websites.”
Main Praise
This bar earns unusually consistent praise for keeping things simple and high quality. Big outlets like Men’s Health, Healthline, and BarBend spotlight the tight, readable ingredient list and the fact that sweetness comes from dates and honey rather than sugar alcohols.
Flavor-wise, the dark chocolate tastes like actual dark chocolate, and the nut‑butter base gives it a satisfying chew instead of that taffy‑meets-taffeta thing some bars do. The protein is the good stuff—whey isolate plus egg whites—so 16 grams goes further than the number alone suggests.
Several reviewers also nod to Transparent Labs’ third‑party testing reputation (Healthline even calls out Informed Choice), which inspires more confidence than the average wrapper. Net effect: it feels more like food than a lab project, and it keeps you full.
Main Criticism
The sticking point is price; multiple reviewers flag it as a premium buy, and Redditor Remarkable_Depth_975 bluntly called the value underwhelming for the protein you get. Texture gets mixed notes—some find it pleasantly chewy, others pick up a slightly chalky or dry edge, especially if they prefer candy‑bar softness.
Nutrition‑wise, it’s on the richer side at 270 calories with 17 grams of fat, and a few outlets point to saturated fat and sodium as watch‑outs depending on your goals. It’s also not for everyone: it contains dairy, egg, and both peanuts and tree nuts, and it’s not vegan or keto.
The Middle Ground
So which is it—best‑in‑class or overhyped? The truth sits in the middle.
If your priority is ingredient quality and you’re tired of sugar‑alcohol sweetness and mystery gums, this bar is a breath of fresh air. Men’s Health and BarBend didn’t hand out top billing for nothing.
But if you judge bars by protein‑per‑dollar or lowest calories, the math won’t love it. Texture is subjective: BarBend’s testers found it more chewy‑nut‑butter than chalky, while Redditor Remarkable_Depth_975 had the opposite experience—both can be true, especially with a whey‑isolate base and dark chocolate.
And the sugar question?
It’s not a ‘no sugar’ bar—about 11 grams here—but most of it comes from dates and honey, which, along with oats, fat, and protein, tends to deliver steadier energy than a syrup‑heavy bar.
In short: a premium, whole‑food‑leaning bar that trades a bit of price and lightness for taste, satiety, and transparency.
What's the bottom line?
Transparent Labs’ Dark Chocolate Almond Protein+ Bar is for people who want their snack to look like real food when the wrapper comes off. It’s a clean‑label, mini‑meal style bar with 16 grams of complete protein, a dark‑chocolate‑meets‑nut‑butter flavor profile, and sweetness from dates and honey—not sugar alcohols. The flip side is the premium price and a texture some will call slightly dry, plus a richer calorie and fat load than a ‘diet’ bar.
If you value ingredient quality, steady energy, and a grown‑up chocolate flavor, this is an easy yes. If you chase the cheapest protein grams or need ultra‑low calories, you’ll find better fits elsewhere. Not vegan, not nut‑free, and not a low‑carb play—just a thoughtfully built bar that eats like a small, satisfying snack.
Condensed listicle take: A premium, clean‑label bar with 16g protein and real‑food sweetness (dates, honey). Great dark‑chocolate‑and‑nut taste, genuinely filling; pricier and a bit drier than candy‑style bars. Best as a mini‑meal or post‑workout pick for folks who avoid sugar alcohols.