thinkThin Chunky Peanut Butter Bar

The thinkThin line consists of a series of reduced calorie/carbohydrate, high protein meal replacement bars. The “thinkProducts” line are the creation of CEO Lizanne Falsetto, as part of her quest to create “pure functional foods.” There are 7 different flavors to choose from: Creamy Peanut Butter, Chocolate Fudge, Brownie Crunch, Chocolate Mudslide, Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate Chip, and – of course – the Chunky Peanut Butter flavor.

Manufacturer Description: “Our all natural high protein thinkThin™ bars are draped in rich delicious chocolate and delivers 20g of protein. Rated one of the top bars in the natural industry, thinkThin is the ONLY naturally sugar-free, high protein bar for an active lifestyle. Our thinkThin bars also appeal to consumers with special dietary needs because they are gluten free, have 0g of sugar and offer diabetics an alternative healthy snack.”

Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 60g Calories 240 Calories from Fat 80 Total Fat 8g Saturated Fat 3 g Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 5 mg Sodium 200 mg Potassium 60 mg Total Carbohydrate 26 g Dietary Fiber 1 g	Sugars 0 g Sugar Alcohol 13 g Other Carbohydrates 10 g Protein 20 g Vitamin A 25% Vitamin C 25% Calcium 25% Iron 30% Vitamin E 25% Thiamin 25% Niacin 25% Riboflavin 25%	Vitamin B6 25% Folate 25% Vitamin B12 25% Biotin 25% Pantothenic Acid 25% Phosphorus 15% Iodine 25% Magnesium 4% Zinc 25% Copper 25%
Ingredients: Ingredients: Protein blend (calcium caseinate, soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate) ,glycerin, coating (maltitol, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, sodium caseinate, dairy oil, soya lecithin, natural flavors, salt), glycerin, maltitol syrup, ground peanuts, soy crisps (soy portein isolate, rice flour, calcium carbonate), water, peanuts, canola oil, peanut flour, natural flavors, tricalcium phosphate, soya lecithin, salt. Vitamins and Minerals: ascorbic acid, d-alpha tocopherol, niacinamide, zinc oxide, vitamin A palmitate, electrolytic iron, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, copper gluconate, riboflavin, thiamin mononitrate, folic acid, biotin, potassium iodide, vitamin B12.

Comments: Unlike many protein bars, the thinkThin Chunky Peanut Butter bar had a relatively soft and somewhat grainy texture, with just a hint of crunchiness. “Chunky” is a misnomer, as the texture was even throughout – there were no chunks of peanut at all.

The bar was sweet, but had an odd, un-peanutty taste, almost like eating a chocolate-covered Frito bar. It wasn’t bad, but not what I expected.

One nice thing about this bar was that good-quality ingredients were used: the protein blend is solid; real peanuts were used, and there were a minimum of additives. The bars are also competitively priced: purchased from the company web site, a box of 10 sells for $17 (not including shipping and handling).

I found it to be less than satisfying, however. I ate one as a pre-dinner snack, and found that it didn’t do much to satisfy – much less suppress – my appetite. In my opinion, it could work as a “value added fix” to satisfy a craving for something sweet, but not as an actual meal replacement.

People with “special dietary needs” should pay close attention to the ingredients, too: while these bars would be suitable for diabetics (low glycemic index) and people on gluten-free diets; they would not be appropriate for those with dairy, soy or nut allergies. Moderation is also advisable, as sugar alcohols can cause bloating and/or diarrhea when eaten in excess.

Here’s how I rate this product (out of 5 stars):

Taste: 2.5/5.0

Quality: 4.5/5.0

Efficacy: 2.0/5.0

Value: 3.5/5.0

Overall: 3.0/5.0

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