USN
Fudge Brownie
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
The standout is the candy‑bar feel—real cocoa, a milk‑chocolate coating, and an indulgent bite—paired with 20 grams of protein and just 2 grams of sugar. It achieves this with a milk/soy protein blend plus collagen (so it’s not vegetarian) and low‑sugar sweeteners.
When to choose USN Fudge Brownie
Choose this bar if you want a dessert‑like post‑workout protein hit or an afternoon treat under 220 calories—and you’re fine with sugar alcohols and a more processed ingredient list.
What's in the USN bar?
USN’s Fudge Brownie Protein Bar leans on a dairy‑first blend (milk protein) supported by soy protein and a dose of collagen peptides to reach a top‑tier 20 grams of protein. The brownie vibe is built with real chocolate inputs—cocoa powder, cocoa mass, and a maltitol‑sweetened milk‑chocolate coating—rather than heaps of sugar.
Carbs are kept modest and sugars low by swapping cane sugar for sugar alcohols and soluble fibers, while fats come mainly from cocoa butter (chocolate) with some sunflower oil and a touch of butterfat—landing the calories right around the category average.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 16 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 213
Protein
2015HIGHProtein comes primarily from milk protein and soy protein, with collagen peptides added for texture and extra grams. Dairy and soy together deliver a complete amino‑acid profile; collagen on its own is incomplete, so here it plays a supporting role rather than the star. At 20 grams, it sits well above most bars without relying on whey isolates.
Fat
89MIDMost of the fat is from the chocolate components—cocoa butter and cocoa mass—plus some sunflower oil and a touch of milk butterfat. Cocoa butter is rich in stearic acid (a saturated fat that’s relatively neutral for LDL cholesterol), while sunflower oil brings unsaturated fats. Altogether it’s a middle‑of‑the‑pack fat load with a mix of saturated and unsaturated sources.
Carbs
1620MIDThese carbs are built more from refined sweeteners and fibers than from whole‑food starches. Polydextrose and oligofructose (soluble fibers), maltitol (a sugar alcohol), and a little glycerol create sweetness and chew with a steadier glycemic profile than sugar; a bit of tapioca starch adds structure. Expect smoother energy than a candy bar, though polyols and fast‑fermenting fibers can bother sensitive stomachs if you overdo it.
Sugar
24MIDOnly 1.6 grams of sugar—mostly the natural lactose that rides in with milk chocolate and dairy solids. Sweetness instead comes from maltitol (a lower‑glycemic sugar alcohol) plus a tiny lift from sucralose (a zero‑calorie sweetener), backed by soluble fibers. That keeps sugars down, but remember that larger amounts of sugar alcohols can cause gas or bloating for some.
Calories
213210MIDAt 213 calories, it sits near the category average. A big chunk comes from protein, with the rest split between chocolate fats and carbohydrate bulking agents that typically carry fewer calories than sugar. You get a dessert‑like experience without the calorie hit of fully sugared chocolate.
Vitamins & Minerals
There’s no vitamin/mineral fortification called out. Expect small, incidental amounts of calcium from the dairy and trace iron/magnesium from cocoa, with a touch of vitamin E from sunflower oil—likely below 10% of daily value per bar.
Additives
To achieve low sugar with a soft brownie‑like chew, the recipe leans on modern helpers: polydextrose and oligofructose (soluble fibers), maltitol and a pinch of sucralose for sweetness, glycerol for moisture, and emulsifiers like soy lecithin and ammonium phosphatides to keep the chocolate smooth. These are highly refined ingredients used for texture and stability rather than nutrition. If you prefer simpler formulations—or have a sensitive gut—this is worth noting.
Ingredient List
Corn or wheat
Cocoa beans
Cow's milk
Ground roasted cocoa bean nibs
Soybeans
Cow's milk
Soybeans
Animal skins and bones; fermentation
Vegetable oils and animal fats
glucose
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“A little late to the discussion, but I love USN trust crunch protein bars. They are 214kcal and 20grams of protein per bar. They also taste really good.”
Main Praise
Fans love that it eats like a treat without tossing your macros. Multiple reviewers highlight the accurate, chocolate‑forward flavor and the satisfying crunch‑and‑chew layers that sidestep the chalky texture common in protein bars.
Men’s Fitness pointed to the dessert‑style experience yet still called it a solid post‑workout option thanks to the dependable 20 grams of protein. A Reddit comment echoed that theme—tasty, around 214 calories, and protein‑dense—making it an easy grab when cravings hit.
For those who watch sugar specifically, the 2 grams per bar is notably low for something that tastes this indulgent.
Main Criticism
The most common knock is sweetness: some people get a sweetener or protein‑powder aftertaste, and a few describe the bite as occasionally gritty.
The bar relies on maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and quick‑fermenting fibers for its sweetness and texture—great for keeping sugar low, but they can cause gas or bloating in sensitive stomachs, especially if you eat more than one.
It’s also not vegetarian because of collagen, contains milk and soy allergens, isn’t labeled gluten‑free, and it’s not usually the budget choice. One blogger went as far as advising readers to skip it altogether, citing taste and the macro balance of saturates and salt.
The Middle Ground
Put the cheerleading and the gripes side by side and the picture sharpens.
If you want a chocolate‑first protein bar that truly feels like dessert, this one delivers, and the numbers are undeniably friendly: 20 grams of protein for 213 calories with only 2 grams of sugar.
The trade‑off is the modern sweetener toolkit—maltitol, soluble fibers, and a touch of sucralose—which is how it tastes so sweet without much sugar. Many people do fine with one bar; if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or you double up, your gut might file a complaint.
Men’s Fitness cautioned that some Trust bars run higher in sugar, but this Fudge Brownie flavor lands on the low side. As for the “avoid” verdict from an older blog, that likely reflects a preference for simpler ingredients and less sweetness—a fair stance, just a different target.
Add in the caveats (not vegetarian due to collagen, not labeled gluten‑free, milk and soy present), and you have a bar that’s squarely aimed at dessert‑leaning protein seekers rather than ingredient purists.
What's the bottom line?
USN’s Trust Protein Bar in Fudge Brownie is for chocolate lovers who want real protein without a sugar‑heavy crash. It’s a treat‑style bar with gym‑friendly macros: 20 grams of dairy/soy protein plus collagen, 213 calories, and a convincingly indulgent bite. If you’re comfortable with sugar alcohols and an engineered ingredient list, it fits neatly after a workout or as a strategic afternoon sweet fix.
If you prefer ultra‑simple ingredients, avoid sugar alcohols, or need vegetarian or gluten‑free options, this won’t be your first pick. Quick take (for the list): USN Trust Protein Bar, Fudge Brownie—20 grams of protein, 213 calories, dessert‑like chocolate with just 2 grams of sugar. Great after training or when cravings hit; skip if you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols or avoid collagen/soy.