ZonePerfect
Chocolate Almond Raisin
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A crisp, chocolate‑coated soy‑nugget bar with real almonds and raisins—and a notable vitamin/mineral boost—bringing 15g of protein in a decidedly dessert‑leaning package.
When to choose ZonePerfect Chocolate Almond Raisin
Sweet‑tooth moments when you still want protein: quick breakfasts, post‑workout rides home, and anyone who prefers a crisp bar over a chewy one. Skip it if you’re avoiding soy, dairy, or added sugars.
What's in the ZonePerfect bar?
ZonePerfect’s Chocolate Almond Raisin reads like a chocolate‑and‑trail‑mix mashup: Dutch‑processed cocoa and vanilla for the chocolate note, real almonds for crunch, and chewy raisins for pops of fruit. The protein is led by soy protein isolate crisps, with a supporting cameo from dairy (sodium caseinate and a little nonfat milk powder), landing at 15 grams—about mid‑pack among bars.
Carbs lean sweet—17 grams of sugar puts this flavor on the high end for the category—while fat stays modest at 7 grams from almonds, high‑oleic safflower oil, and palm kernel oil in the coating.
It’s also fortified, so you’ll spot vitamins E and C and minerals like zinc and iron on the label—think snack bar meets mini multivitamin.
- Protein
- 15 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Carbohydrates
- 23 g
- Sugar
- 17 g
- Calories
- 210
Protein
1515MIDProtein lands mid‑pack at 15 grams, driven mostly by soy protein isolate formed into crisp nuggets. A supporting cast of milk proteins—sodium caseinate and a touch of nonfat milk powder in the chocolate coating—rounds out the amino acid profile, making it complete and quite digestible. Solid quality for a plant‑led bar, but it isn’t dairy‑free.
Fat
79MIDThe 7 grams of fat are modest and come from three places: almonds (mostly unsaturated), high‑oleic safflower oil (monounsaturated), and palm kernel oil in the coating (more saturated). So you get a mix—some heart‑friendlier fats alongside a dose of saturated fat—kept in check by the relatively small total. Expect a light, not greasy, feel.
Carbs
2320MIDMost of the 23 grams of carbs come from refined glucose syrups (corn syrup and corn syrup solids) and table sugar in the chocolate coating, with natural sugars from raisins and a little tapioca starch holding the soy crisps together. These are fast‑burning carbohydrates; expect a quick lift more than slow‑burn energy, though the 15 grams of protein and 7 grams of fat help buffer the spike a bit. Overall, it sits in the upper half for carbs among bars.
Sugar
174HIGHThis flavor skews sweet at 17 grams of sugar (high end among bars), drawn largely from corn syrup and sugar in the chocolate coating, plus the sweetness of real raisins. That’s chiefly refined sugar with a little whole‑fruit sugar mixed in; glycerin (a plant‑derived humectant) adds softness and a hint of sweetness but doesn’t count as “sugar” on the label. If you’re sensitive to blood‑sugar swings, pair it with something fiber‑rich or save it for after activity.
Calories
210210MIDAt 210 calories, it sits near the category middle. Most calories come from carbohydrates (including 17 grams of sugar), with protein and fat splitting the rest—think quick energy anchored by a decent protein base. If you’re counting macros, it’s a carb‑forward snack with a supportive protein dose.
Vitamins & Minerals
You’ll see several nutrients over 10% DV—vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, calcium, and iron—thanks to an added vitamin–mineral blend. Behind those numbers are ingredients like tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), calcium phosphate, ferrous fumarate, and zinc oxide, fortifying the bar much like a mini multivitamin. Nice if your day’s been light on produce or fortified grains.
Additives
This is a conventionally formulated bar: emulsifiers (soy lecithin) keep the chocolate smooth, glycerin holds moisture, and guar gum stabilizes texture. Refined oils (palm kernel, high‑oleic safflower) and alkalized cocoa support structure and flavor. If you prefer minimalist labels, note the number of refined sweeteners and fortificants here.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cassava root
Field corn starch
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Oil palm fruit
Defatted cacao bean solids
Soybeans
Cow's milk
Vanilla orchid seed pods
Almond tree seeds
What are people saying?
Sources
Range
“Zone perfect nutrition bar. I eat the chocolate mint. They are one thing I use either when I’m in a hurt, or sometimes when I have a craving. I believe it has 15g protein. I’ve tried their PB bar in the past, and it’s yummy, just never tracked it on Noom.”
“A ZonePerfect Double Dark Chocolate bar has been my breakfast for *many* years, partly for the chocolate but also because of the crunch. I don't care for the chewiness of granola or oatmeal and was very happy with the satisfying crunch of these ZonePerfect bars.”
“Builders Bars are nowhere near as good as ZonePerfect bars (in eating experience, anyway).”
Main Praise
Taste and texture are the headliners. Reviewers repeatedly praise the airy crunch of the soy crisps and the chocolatey finish—“not chalky, not rubbery,” as one Redditor put it—making it a bar people actually look forward to.
Another long‑time fan has used ZonePerfect as a daily breakfast for years specifically for the crunch. On Amazon, the line pulls a 4.
8‑star average with an overwhelming majority of five‑star ratings, and “delicious” is a frequent refrain.
The 15g of protein is a comfortable middle ground that makes it feel more substantial than a snack bar, and the added vitamins and minerals win points with folks who like a little micronutrient insurance on busy days.
Main Criticism
The sugar content is the sticking point.
At 17g, this flavor sits on the higher end for bars, and several health writers and dietitians have flagged ZonePerfect as more “candy‑adjacent” because the sweetness comes mostly from refined syrups and sugar in the coating.
Fiber is low compared to whole‑food‑based bars, which can make it less filling for some.
Ingredient purists also balk: processed soy (isolate), corn syrup appearing more than once, palm‑kernel oil for the coating, and a fortified vitamin blend they argue you might not need if your diet is balanced.
Finally, some shoppers have reported difficulty finding certain flavors lately, with chatter about discontinuations or reformulations—availability appears inconsistent in some regions.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right: the “best‑tasting breakfast bar ever” crowd or the “too much sugar” camp? Both, depending on what you need from a bar.
If you want a clean, short ingredient list with slow‑burn carbs and lots of fiber, this isn’t it. The macros are straightforward: 210 calories, 15g protein, 7g fat, and a carb‑forward 23g with 17g of that as sugar.
But if you want a bar that scratches a chocolate itch while delivering a legit protein assist—and you prefer crisp over chew—this fits beautifully. As Livestrong notes, it’s handy and protein‑rich but lighter on fiber; that’s easy to fix by pairing it with a piece of fruit or a small handful of nuts.
And while Well+Good’s warning about corn syrup and processed soy is fair, plenty of everyday eaters still pick ZonePerfect because it’s satisfying and consistent. The truth sits in the middle: it’s a tasty, vitamin‑fortified snack with real protein, best used when a sweet, quick lift makes sense—especially around activity.
What's the bottom line?
ZonePerfect Chocolate Almond Raisin is the definition of a crowd‑pleaser: chocolatey, crunchy, and reliably not chalky, with 15g of protein and a sprinkle of vitamins and minerals. It’s also unapologetically sweet at 17g sugar and built with conventional ingredients, so think of it as a protein‑boosted treat rather than a minimalist “whole‑food” bar. If you enjoy the taste and crunch, it can absolutely have a place—just time it around movement or pair it with something fiber‑rich to smooth out the ride.
If you’re avoiding soy or dairy, or you want a low‑sugar, high‑fiber bar with a very short ingredient list, look elsewhere. But if your priority is a bar you’ll actually finish—with a satisfying snap and a chocolate‑and‑trail‑mix vibe—this one earns its fan base. Condensed listicle pick: Chocolate‑trail‑mix energy with 15g protein and a craveable crunch.
Big plus for taste and texture; trade‑off is 17g sugar and a more processed ingredient list. Best for post‑workout or sweet‑tooth afternoons. Contains soy, milk, and almonds.