ZonePerfect
Chocolate Mint
TL:DR
In 2 Sentences
A crowd‑pleasing mint‑chocolate cookie crunch with an unusually robust vitamin‑mineral blend—dessert energy with 14g of protein.
When to choose ZonePerfect Chocolate Mint
Mint‑chocolate lovers who want a sweet, crunchy pick‑me‑up with some protein and built‑in vitamins—better as a snack or light post‑workout bite than a meal replacement or low‑carb option.
What's in the ZonePerfect bar?
ZonePerfect’s Chocolate Mint bar leans into a candy-bar-meets-multivitamin vibe: a soy-and-dairy protein blend for 14g of protein, a sweet, quick-hitting carb base, and a full slate of added vitamins and minerals.
The chocolate–mint profile comes from cocoa (including Dutch-processed cocoa), a chocolate-flavored coating, and natural mint flavor, while chocolate cookie pieces deliver the crunch.
Big picture nutritionally, this one sits on the higher end for carbs and sugars among bars, relatively low in fat, and squarely mid-pack for protein—great if you want a sweet, minty pick‑me‑up with some protein and built‑in fortification.
- Protein
- 14 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Carbohydrates
- 30 g
- Sugar
- 15 g
- Calories
- 220
Protein
1415MIDProtein comes primarily from soy protein isolate (in those crispy soy nuggets), backed up by milk protein isolate and a touch of whey and nonfat milk in the chocolate coating. That mix yields 14g per bar—mid-pack overall—with soy providing complete plant protein and dairy proteins adding top-tier amino acid quality. It’s not vegan, and those with milk or soy allergies should take note.
Fat
69LOWAt 6g, the fat is on the lighter side and comes mostly from the chocolate coating’s fractionated palm kernel oil (more saturated), cocoa butter (largely stearic acid), and a bit of canola oil in the cookie pieces (more unsaturated). The lower fat helps keep calories in check, but it may be less satiating than bars that lean on nuts or olive oil. Expect a mix of saturated and unsaturated fats rather than a nut‑forward, heart‑healthy fat profile.
Carbs
3020HIGHMost of the 30g of carbs are from refined sources—corn syrup (a glucose syrup), sugar in the chocolate coating, cane syrup crystals in the cookie bits, corn syrup solids, and some refined starch (tapioca) in the soy crisps—so the energy skews quick. A little oat fiber and a dash of prebiotic fructo‑oligosaccharides are here, but they don’t change the overall picture. In practice, expect a sweet, fast lift more than slow, whole‑grain steadiness.
Sugar
154HIGHThe 15g of sugar mainly come from the chocolate coating (sugar-first), corn syrup, and cane syrup crystals in the cookie pieces, with a small nudge from dairy lactose. These are refined sweeteners rather than fruit-based sugars, which explains the pronounced sweetness. Glycerin (a plant‑based humectant) adds softness and a hint of sweetness but doesn’t count as “sugar” on the label.
Calories
220210MIDAt 220 calories, this bar lands right around typical snack-bar territory. Most calories come from carbohydrates, with protein and a modest fat contribution rounding it out. It’s sized for a snack or small post‑workout bite rather than a full meal replacement.
Vitamins & Minerals
This bar is heavily fortified: expect big B‑vitamin numbers (for example, B3 ~50%, B1 ~30%, B6 ~45%, B12 ~80%) plus vitamin E and C, and trace minerals like zinc, selenium, chromium, and molybdenum. Those levels come from an added vitamin–mineral blend (ascorbic acid, tocopheryl acetate, niacinamide, zinc oxide, etc.), not from the cocoa or grains. If you already take a multivitamin, keep an eye on stacking—especially biotin (250% DV) and chromium (100% DV).
Additives
To pull off the texture and mint‑chocolate finish, the formula uses common, highly refined helpers: soy lecithin (emulsifier), glycerin (keeps it soft), and guar gum (stability). Fructo‑oligosaccharides add a touch of prebiotic fiber, though some sensitive stomachs may notice them. The chocolate coating relies on fractionated palm kernel oil for snap and shelf stability—functional, but a more processed fat choice.
Ingredient List
Defatted soybean flakes
Cassava root
Field corn starch
Sugarcane and sugar beet
Oil palm fruit
Defatted cacao bean solids
Cow's milk whey byproduct
Cow's milk
Soybeans
Vanilla orchid seed pods
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 lead the fan club here. Across reviews, the Chocolate Mint flavor is consistently called out as “delicious” with a satisfying, airy crunch—not the dense, taffy‑chew many bars fall into.
One Redditor has happily made a ZonePerfect bar their long‑running breakfast for exactly that crunch, while an Amazon reviewer named Angela summed up the general sentiment: these are the bars you keep buying because they’re easy to enjoy, not just easy to tolerate.
The protein lands solidly mid‑pack at 14 grams, which is plenty for a snack, and the extensive vitamin‑mineral fortification is a genuine differentiator if you’re often short on B‑vitamins or iron.
Put simply, it’s a bar that tastes like a treat yet still nudges your protein and micronutrients upward—no sugar alcohol aftertaste, no chalky residue.
Main Criticism
The trade‑offs are what you’d expect from a bar that leans candy‑adjacent. The 30 grams of carbs and 15 grams of sugar come mostly from refined sweeteners and starches, which makes the energy feel quick rather than slow‑burn.
Fiber is low, so satiety won’t rival nut‑forward bars, and the fat profile leans on processed oils (fractionated palm kernel oil in the coating) instead of whole‑food fats. Ingredient purists also balk at the ultra‑processed label, with soy protein isolate and corn‑syrup‑derived ingredients leading.
Some sensitive stomachs may notice the small dose of fructo‑oligosaccharides, though most reviewers don’t call it out. Finally, multiple reviewers in mid‑to‑late 2024 reported discontinuation or hard‑to‑find stock, so availability may be inconsistent depending on where you shop.
The Middle Ground
So who’s right: the chocolate‑mint superfans or the “too processed” skeptics? Both, depending on your goal.
If you value flavor and crunch, this bar delivers in a way that keeps you reaching for it—several Redditors and a 4. 8‑star Amazon average back that up.
If you’re chasing a slow, steady energy curve, the refined carb base and modest 6 grams of fat won’t do you many favors. Well+Good’s nutritionist flags the double hit of corn‑syrup‑type ingredients and added vitamins as red flags; fair critique if you prefer short, whole‑food labels and get your micronutrients from meals.
On the other hand, Livestrong’s more measured take—that it’s convenient protein with meaningful fortification but light on fiber—feels closer to how it performs in real life.
One point of clarity: while some articles warn about sugar alcohol GI woes, this flavor doesn’t rely on maltitol or erythritol; it uses glycerin and a touch of prebiotic FOS instead.
Bottom line, it’s a sweet, fast‑lifting snack with benefits, not a minimalist, whole‑food bar.
What's the bottom line?
ZonePerfect Chocolate Mint is a crowd‑pleasing “treat with benefits”: 14 grams of protein, a cool mint‑cookie crunch, and a substantial vitamin‑mineral assist. It shines when you want dessert energy with some protein after a workout or during an afternoon slump—and you care more about taste and convenience than squeaky‑clean ingredients. If you’re watching added sugars closely, want higher fiber and whole‑food fats, or avoid soy, look elsewhere.
But if you’re a mint‑chocolate diehard who wants a bar you’ll actually finish, this one hits the sweet spot. Pro tip for staying power: pair it with a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit. And given reports of spotty availability in late 2024, if you find a box you love, you may want to stash an extra.