TRUBAR
Whipped for Key Lime
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A dessert‑forward, sugar alcohol–free, vegan bar with a whipped, citrusy profile and a short, plant‑leaning ingredient list.
When to choose TRUBAR Whipped for Key Lime
Plant‑based snackers who want a sweet, tangy pick‑me‑up without sugar alcohols; best as a mid‑afternoon treat or light post‑workout snack.
What's in the TRUBAR bar?
TRUBAR’s Whipped for Key Lime goes the plant route for its protein, pairing brown rice protein with organic pea protein for a dairy‑free 12 grams per bar. The citrusy flavor is built with natural flavors and a pinch of citric acid, while almonds, RSPO‑certified palm oil, and a little MCT oil create that creamy, whipped texture.
Carbs land on the higher side for bars, coming from a cassava/tapioca blend plus organic cane sugar; you won’t find sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners here. Calories stay modest at 190—some of those carb grams are fiber—which makes this feel more like a snackable pick‑me‑up than a meal replacement.
- Protein
- 12 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Carbohydrates
- 23 g
- Sugar
- 8 g
- Calories
- 190
Protein
1215MIDProtein comes from a blend of brown rice protein and organic pea protein—two plant sources that complement each other (pea brings lysine where rice is lighter). At 12 grams, it’s a moderate, snack‑level dose rather than a heavy hitter, but the dairy‑free combo is clean and approachable for most.
Fat
99MIDFat is a mix of almonds (mostly monounsaturated), RSPO‑certified palm oil (naturally higher in saturated fat and used for structure), and a touch of MCT oil (fast‑absorbed medium‑chain fats). The result is a creamy bite and mid‑range fat level; if you watch saturated fat, note the palm/MCT contribution.
Carbs
2320MIDCarbs come largely from cassava/tapioca and organic cane sugar. Cassava is a starchy root (quick energy), while tapioca fiber is a refined fiber from that same plant, which helps temper blood‑sugar swings compared with straight sugar. Expect a mix of quick lift from cane sugar and steadier energy from the fiber—more refined than oats or dates, but not a sugar‑alcohol bomb.
Sugar
84HIGHSweetness comes from organic cane sugar, totaling 8 grams—on the sweeter side compared with many protein bars. There are no sugar alcohols or high‑intensity sweeteners, which some prefer for digestive comfort, but the sugars are refined rather than fruit‑based.
Calories
190210MIDAt 190 calories, it’s lighter than many bars. Calories are split between the cassava/tapioca + cane sugar carbs and the fats from almonds/palm/MCT, with plant protein rounding things out. Because some of the carb grams are fiber, the total stays modest for the size.
Vitamins & Minerals
Iron lands around 15% Daily Value, most likely from the pea and brown rice proteins, with a small nudge from almonds. There’s no vitamin fortification here—micronutrients are mainly what ride along with the whole and plant‑protein ingredients.
Additives
A short supporting cast keeps the bar smooth and bright: sunflower lecithin (a plant emulsifier) for texture, citric acid for that limey tang and pH control, and natural flavors to build the key lime profile. Tapioca fiber is a refined ingredient from cassava, and the palm/MCT oils are also highly processed—overall a moderately processed bar without a long list of gums or sugar alcohols.
Ingredient List
Cassava root
Brown rice grain
Yellow pea seeds
Almond tree seeds
Sugarcane stalks
Oil palm fruit
Coconut or palm kernel oil
Sunflower seeds
lemons
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“The comments on this are wild, I really really loved these! Most protein bars taste too artificial and have sugar alcohols, and these dont. I eat a high fiber diet already being vegetarian and these didnt bother my stomach. Not very sweet, nice and chewy. I plan on stockingggg up on these at this price!”
“Not popular but I kinda like them, the donut one in particular hits in a way that feels “close enough.””
“They are good!”
Main Praise
Fans point to texture and simplicity. Independent taste tests (including EatingWell’s big roundup) praised TRUBAR’s soft, fudge‑like chew that doesn’t stick to your teeth, and the line’s dessert flavors often land as crowd‑pleasers rather than compromises.
The Washington Post flagged TRUBAR as a smarter choice in the protein‑bar aisle thanks to respectable protein, meaningful fiber across the line, and no artificial sweeteners. On Reddit, floral‑vision appreciated that these skip sugar alcohols and still sit well on a vegetarian stomach—no bloat, no weird aftershocks.
For folks who want vegan, gluten‑free, and soy‑free without a pharmacy’s worth of additives, this checks boxes while staying snack‑level at 190 calories.
Main Criticism
Not everyone is charmed by the dessert act. A few Redditors, like Ok‑Wasabi2873, found TRUBAR too sweet, while THEtek4 noted a faint mouth‑coating finish—likely the byproduct of the palm/MCT blend that creates that creamy bite.
Others simply prefer fewer added sugars and reach for date‑ or nut‑based bars instead. There are occasional grumbles about consistency—some boxes can skew firmer than expected—which matters with a bar marketed for softness.
And if you want a heavy hitter, 12g of protein won’t replace a full shake.
The Middle Ground
So which is it: a clever, citrusy treat or a sugary stand‑in? The truth sits in the middle.
TRUBAR trades sugar alcohols for organic cane sugar and cassava/tapioca, so the sweetness reads cleaner—and yes, more noticeable—than a bar sweetened with erythritol or stevia. At 8 grams of sugar, it’s sweet but not candy‑bar territory, and the fiber from tapioca helps steady the ride compared with straight sugar.
The whipped texture that EatingWell loved is the same richness some Redditors feel as a slight coating; that’s the palm/MCT doing its job.
And while angrybox1842 said another TRUBAR flavor felt “close enough” to dessert (which, in protein‑bar speak, is high praise), purists who want 20g of protein with monk fruit and zero added sugar should look elsewhere.
Key Line is a flavor that naturally polarizes—bright and tangy for some, tart‑sweet for others—so a single‑bar trial is smart before you go all‑in.
What's the bottom line?
TRUBAR Whipped for Key Lime is a playful, plant‑based bar that leans dessert without leaning artificial. You get a soft bite, 12g of complementary pea‑and‑rice protein, and a sugar alcohol–free formula that many stomachs prefer. It’s vegan, gluten‑free, and soy‑free, with a short cast of helpers (sunflower lecithin for smoothness, citric acid for that lime snap).
The trade‑offs: it’s moderately sweet, not a protein heavyweight, and the creamy texture comes with a touch of palm/MCT richness you’ll either love or notice. If you want a bright, creamy citrus treat to bridge the afternoon slump or cap a light workout, this delivers. If you’re chasing 20g of protein, tracking every gram of saturated fat, or you prefer barely‑sweet bars, keep looking.
For everyone else—especially anyone avoiding sugar alcohols—this is a refreshingly modern take on dessert‑meets‑snack. 12g plant protein, 190 calories, and a short ingredient list. Best for sweet‑tooth snackers who want a gentle, gluten‑free, soy‑free pick‑me‑up; skip if you need 20g protein or favor barely‑sweet bars.