USN
Salted Caramel Peanut
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A dessert-style protein bar with real candy-bar crunch that still delivers 20g of protein and low measured sugar, thanks to milk and soy proteins, fibers, and sugar alcohols.
When to choose USN Salted Caramel Peanut
Best for post‑workout or sweet‑tooth moments when you want a candy‑bar bite with a solid protein payoff. Less ideal if sugar alcohols bother your gut or you avoid milk, soy, or peanuts.
What's in the USN bar?
Think salted caramel, a kiss of peanut, and a milk‑chocolate shell—then engineer the sweetness so sugar stays low.
USN’s Salted Caramel Peanut Protein Bar leans on milk protein plus soy, with a dash of collagen for chew, to deliver 20 grams of protein near the top of the category.
Carbs are comparatively low and built mostly from soluble fibers and sugar alcohols rather than grains or dates, which helps steady blood sugar but can challenge sensitive stomachs. Fats come largely from cocoa butter (that classic chocolate melt) with a little sunflower oil and butter fat, landing in the middle of the pack for fat and calories.
The "salted caramel peanut" character comes from roasted peanuts (2%), salt, caramel flavor/color, and cocoa—more flavor than crunch.
- Protein
- 20 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Carbohydrates
- 16 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Calories
- 217
Protein
2015HIGHMost of the 20 grams of protein comes from milk protein (a complete dairy blend that includes casein and whey), supported by soy protein and collagen peptides. Milk and soy cover the essential amino acids and digest well; collagen is incomplete, useful for texture more than muscle repair. Net effect: high total protein with quality anchored by the dairy and soy components.
Fat
99MIDFat lands around the middle of the pack at 9 grams, sourced mainly from cocoa butter in the milk‑chocolate coating, with smaller amounts from butter fat, sunflower oil, and a touch from peanuts. Cocoa butter skews toward stearic and oleic acids, while sunflower oil adds unsaturated fats but is a refined seed oil that’s often higher in omega‑6 unless it’s the high‑oleic type. The profile reads more confection‑like than nut‑butter‑based, but not excessive.
Carbs
1620MIDThe 16 grams of carbs are largely engineered rather than from whole grains or fruit. Soluble fibers such as polydextrose and oligofructose add bulk, while maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and a little glycerol bring sweetness and softness; only small amounts come from natural milk sugars in the chocolate. Expect a gentler rise in blood sugar than a sugar‑heavy bar, though polyols and prebiotic fibers can bother sensitive stomachs.
Sugar
24MIDTotal sugar is low at 1.9 grams because sweetness leans on sugar alcohols and a tiny dose of an artificial sweetener instead of cane sugar. Here that means maltitol for bulk and sucralose for a finishing lift, with small natural sugars from milk ingredients. The upside is fewer sugar calories and gentler glucose impact; the trade‑off is that polyols can cause bloating for some people when eaten in larger amounts.
Calories
217210MIDAt 217 calories, this sits near the category average. Roughly half the energy comes from protein and fat in almost equal parts, with the rest from carbohydrates—many of which are lower‑calorie fibers and polyols rather than sugar. That balance favors satiety without sending calories sky‑high.
Vitamins & Minerals
No added vitamins show up, and there aren’t standouts over 10% of daily value. You’ll still get modest calcium and B vitamins from the milk proteins and a little magnesium from cocoa, but this bar isn’t trying to be a multivitamin. Think of it as protein‑first, not micronutrient‑fortified.
Additives
This is a modern, engineered bar: humectants keep it soft (glycerol), soluble fibers add body (polydextrose, oligofructose), and non‑sugar sweeteners supply taste with fewer sugar calories (maltitol, sucralose), while lecithins smooth the chocolate. These are highly refined, functional ingredients that create a dessert‑like texture without much sugar. If your gut is sensitive to polyols or prebiotic fibers, stick to one bar and have it with food.
Ingredient List
Corn or wheat
Cocoa beans
Cow's milk
Ground roasted cocoa bean nibs
Cow's milk
Animal skins and bones; fermentation
Soybeans
Vegetable oils and animal fats
glucose
Chicory root
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 like that Trust basically tastes like a treat without blowing up the calorie count. The layers—crisp bits, caramel tone, milk‑chocolate coating—give it a satisfying snap and chew rather than the putty texture some bars suffer from.
Across flavors, the consistent 20g protein target makes it an easy post‑gym or late‑afternoon option that actually feels indulgent. One Redditor summed it up simply: tastes really good, solid macros.
For many, that combination—dessert vibes, dependable protein, still around the mid‑200s in calories—hits the exact weekday craving they need to stay on track.
Main Criticism
Not everyone warms to the flavor system. A few reviewers call it quite sweet with a noticeable whey/sweetener after‑aroma, and some report a slightly gritty bite in certain flavors.
Others point out that while measured sugar is low, sweetness relies on maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and a small amount of sucralose, which can cause digestive discomfort for sensitive folks. Price comes up too—good as a treat, less compelling as an everyday staple if you’re budget‑minded.
And at least one independent reviewer flagged higher saturates and salt compared with simpler, nut‑based bars, recommending alternatives.
The Middle Ground
So where does the truth land between “tastes like dessert” and “avoid”? Likely somewhere in the middle, and it depends on your priorities.
Nutrition‑wise, milk protein plus soy anchors the amino quality, while a bit of collagen helps the chew more than your muscles—a smart texture play that purists may not care about.
The sweetness strategy—soluble fibers for bulk, maltitol for sweetness, sucralose for lift—keeps measured sugar down and calories controlled, but it’s still a highly engineered approach that some stomachs and palates won’t love.
Men’s Fitness called the flavors spot‑on but noted the price and occasional grit; another blogger found the sweetness and macro balance underwhelming.
Both can be true: if you crave a candy‑bar bite after training, Trust feels like a reward that fits your day; if you want short‑list, whole‑food ingredients and a neutral sweetness, you’ll probably keep walking.
And yes, some flavors run sweeter or slightly higher in sugar than others—so the best experience may be flavor‑dependent.
What's the bottom line?
USN Trust Protein Bar is a crowd‑pleaser for people who want their protein to masquerade as dessert. The 20g protein target, mid‑200s calories, and low measured sugar make it an easy reach when you’re dodging a vending‑machine moment. It’s built with modern candy‑bar engineering—milk and soy proteins, fibers, and sugar alcohols—to deliver that snap‑and‑chew experience.
Trade‑offs are clear. If your gut dislikes polyols or you prefer simpler ingredients, this won’t be your everyday bar.
rescue that feels indulgent without tipping into a sugar swing. In other words: a treat‑leaning protein bar that does what it promises—just choose your flavor wisely and keep it to one bar if your stomach is on the sensitive side.