Welcome to the latest instalment of my 52 Bars in 52 weeks protein bar review series. This week I taste-tested the Honeycomb Creamy Dairy Whip Protein Bar by Keep it Cleaner.
I really wanted to like this one, and it had all the ingredients in place to make it seem like I would. From the five star health rating to the fun packaging, clear nutritional info panel, and detailed ingredients list, lots of boxes were ticked. It smells delicious and creamy - not many protein bars smell like ice cream!
As usual I had someone else taste test the bar to ensure I was on the money with my interpretation of flavour, but this was the most divisive taste taste so far in this series. I couldn't detect any flavour and they were waxing poetic about banana lollies and hints of honey. We were both as baffled as the other.
Rarely do I do call outs like this, but if you've tried this bar, or you see it at the supermarket and want to weigh in - please, please do! I'd love to know who is winning the taste argument for this bar.
Read on for the full details!
Keep It Cleaner Honeycomb Creamy Dairy Whip Protein Bar First Impressions
Protein Bar Quick Details
Price
RRP: $4.50 (often half-price at Woolworths)
Flavours available
Keep it Cleaner has a few different ranges of protein bars, but this was the only flavour available in a 45g bar.
40g Keep it Cleaner Plant-based Protein Bars: mint crisp, choc cherry, and salted caramel.
30g Keep it Cleaner Bliss Mini Protein Bars: chocolate fudge and peanut caramel.
30g Keep it Cleaner Mini Protein Bars: choco hazelnut and cookies & cream.
Protein Bar Packaging
The colourful packaging of this protein bar by Keep it Cleaner certainly stands out - circus tent vibes aren't common in food! In this case I think it's a good thing as it stands out amongst the sea of black, white, and brown.
What I really hate, yes hate, is the image used on the packet. It's not of a protein bar, but it's also not instantly recognisable as... anything. Is it meringue on honeycomb? At a quick glance, it could almost be an egg or a dollop of yoghurt.
It's vague and it doesn't communicate well that this is a protein bar. Missed opportunity there.
Next up, the biggest word on the packet is 'Honeycomb' by a country mile (they even had to chuck a hyphen in the middle because it wouldn't fit on the one line). The word 'Protein' is surprisingly small by comparison so I'm curious about the market research here.
Perhaps the marketing gurus at Keep it Cleaner are relying on the bar being surrounded by other protein bars with 'Protein' in huge letters and are capitalising on their unique flavour as a means of standing out instead.
I rate it, it's a unique way to go. Would be very curious to do an A/B test on this though.
The reverse side of the packaging is pretty standard. The nutrition info panel is clear with good formatting. The rather long ingredients list is underneath the fold but provided the info panel is easily accessible, I'm less concerned about that.
Protein Bar Nutritional Claims
5 Star Health Rating (this is awesome)
Less than 2g Sugar
11g Protein
Protein Bar Taste Test
Protein Bar Appearance
The exterior of the bar is covered in a smooth, uniform layer of milk chocolate that looks appealing. Inside is a consistent honeycomb colour - and it's immediately clear where the inspiration for the colourful packaging came from.
Overall very appealing.
Protein Bar Aroma
Upon opening the wrapper you're hit with a clear milk chocolate aroma with a slight metallic tinge. Biting into the bar you'll get a more unique smell. If you close your eyes you could almost be convinced that you're smelling honeycomb ice cream.
Sugar is detectable and the metallic tinge is still present. It smells delicious despite this.
Protein Bar Texture
The exterior of the bar is a bit tacky and you'll leave fingerprints in the choc when you touch it. This bar will melt very easily in heat as it was already pretty soft on a mild morning.
Biting into the bar I discovered it was quite chalky. If you've tried the Campers Pantry Freeze-Dried Ice Cream (my review of this will be on We Are Explorers very soon!), it was like a more dense version of that. It was very easy to chew and almost cake-y in consistency.
No intense chewing is required and the protein bar is quite consistently soft without crunch.
Protein Bar Flavour
This is where it gets interesting. It's rare in taste tests to have wildly differing opinions but that was the case here.
My initial reaction was that flavour was absent - try as I might, I wasn't getting anything. I didn't even get a hint of the chocolate exterior. After three to four seconds of chewing I found the slightest creaminess emerged, but it was very vague.
The main reason I kept eating was my disbelief that it could taste like nothing. I ultimately found the most flavour in the aftertaste and it tasted like Arnotts Orange Slice Cream Biscuits but extremely diluted, a one out of ten in intensity. I wanted to give it a 2/5.
However, the other person I roped into tasting this bar absolutely loved the mild flavour. They said it tasted like ice cream, and reminded them of banana lollies. They thought that the flavour was enjoyable and not overwhelming. They agreed it was exceptionally mild, borderline bland, but happily wolfed it down and rated it a 4/5.
Rating out of 5 (0= terrible, 5= amazing): 3/5
Honestly, I still don't feel right about being diplomatic and giving this a 3/5 for flavour. I was not a fan. The taste was a huge letdown after the tantalising aroma.
Protein Bar Digestibility
No issues. It did feel a bit sickly by the end due to the dairy flavour, but that'll vary from person to person. No digestive concerns were noted.
Protein Bar Nutritional Analysis
Ingredients List
Protein blend (26%) (Milk Protein Concentrate, Collagen Hydrolysate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Soy Protein Isolate), No Added Sugar Milk Choc Coating (23%) [Malitol, Sustainable Vegetable Fat, Soy Protein, Cocoa Powder, Emulsifiers (Soy, 476), Milk Solids (5%) Natural Flavours], Glycerine, Soluble Fibre From Tapioca Starch, Inulin, Sugar-Free Chips (4%), Corn Fibre, Peanut Paste, Tapioca Dextrin, Natural Flavour (Caramel, Honeycomb), Milk Powder, Coconut Oil, Natural Colour (Carthamus), Xantham Gum, Soy Lecithin, Modified Corn Starch, Steviol Glycosides, Sea Salt.
Contains: Milk, Peanuts, Soy
May contain: Sesame, Lupin, Sulphites, Gluten, Tree Nuts, Wheat
Protein sources: Milk Protein Concentrate, Collagen Hydrolysate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Soy Protein Isolate (lots!)
Fibre source: Soluble Tapioca Fibre, Inulin, Corn Fibre
Carbs source: Tapioca Starch, Corn Fibre, Peanut Paste
Healthy Fats: Sustainable Vegetable Fat, Coconut Oil, Peanut Paste
Types of Fibre Compared: It's pretty easy to read over ingredients that provide us with fibre and assume they're all the same – but they're not.
Soluble Tapioca Fibre: Provides slow-release energy and supports gut health but can be highly processed.
Inulin: A prebiotic fibre that promotes gut bacteria growth and improves digestion.
Corn Fibre: A resistant starch that aids digestion but offers fewer prebiotic benefits than inulin.
Nutrition Information Panel
In every 45g of this Keep it Cleaner Honeycomb Protein Bar you'll score 167 calories, 11.9g protein, 2.7g carbohydrates, 4.8g fat (4g saturated fat), 6.7g of fibre, 39mg of sodium, and a paltry 1.6g of sugar.
Pretty darn good. That 5 Star Health Rating is making sense!
Protein
This bar offers a decent 11.9g of protein per 45g serving (around 26.4g per 100g), which is a moderate, but not high amount (if you've been following along you'll know by now that a high protein bar needs at least 20g of protein).
The protein blend includes milk protein concentrate, collagen hydrolysate, whey protein concentrate, and soy protein isolate, delivering a mix of animal-based and plant-based proteins.
While the inclusion of collagen is trendy, it’s less effective for muscle repair compared to whey or soy. That said, collagen can support joint health, which is a bonus for long hikes. To truly optimize recovery after a strenuous trail, pair this bar with an extra protein source, like nuts or a protein shake.
Carbohydrates
At 2.7g of carbohydrates per bar (around 6g per 100g), it's low carb. This makes it a less-than-ideal choice for providing the immediate energy you’d need mid-hike, as carbohydrates are the body’s preferred quick energy source.
However, its minimal carb content does mean it's good for a recovery snack or a light pre-hike option for people who hike better on less food.
Fibre
There's 6.7g of fibre per serving (around 14.9g per 100g), which is awesome. The fibre, likely from inulin or chicory root, is beneficial for digestion and keeping you feeling full.
On a hike, high-fibre snacks like this can help combat the digestive sluggishness that often comes with eating dehydrated or processed foods. Just make sure to stay hydrated, as fibre needs water to do its job properly!
Fat
The bar contains 4.8g of fat, with a significant proportion (4g) being saturated. While the saturated fat level is relatively high compared to some protein bar alternatives, fats contribute to the energy density of the bar, which is essential for long days on the trail.
That said, the fat content here is moderate enough to offer some energy and satiety without weighing you down. For hikers looking for quick energy, this fat-heavy balance isn’t ideal, consider adding a carb-based snack for better performance.
Sugars
At just 1.6g of sugar per bar, this protein bar is impressively low in sugar. The sweetness comes from a combination of natural flavours and artificial sweeteners (like stevia). This low sugar content makes it a good choice for avoiding blood sugar spikes, ensuring more consistent energy levels.
However, on the trail, where quick sugar hits can be beneficial, a slightly higher sugar option can be more practical and I wouldn't make a habit of seeking out super low sugar options.
Sodium
With 39mg of sodium per serving, the bar’s salt content is negligible. While this is great for a general snack (most of use eat too much sodium), it won’t significantly aid in replenishing electrolytes lost through sweat during a long hike. If you’re heading out on a sweaty adventure, make sure to pair this bar with an electrolyte drink as a bare minimum.
Conclusion
The Keep it Cleaner Honeycomb Protein Bar is a solid, low-sugar, high-fibre snack that works well for hikers looking to control sugar intake and maintain satiety. Plus it has that epic five-star health rating.
However, its low carbohydrate content and moderate protein levels make it better suited as a recovery snack or part of a pre-hike meal for hikers who like to hike on less food, rather than a standalone energy source for intense trail activities.
To make it work mid-hike, pair it with a carbohydrate-rich option, like a banana or an energy gel, to ensure you’re getting the fast-absorbing energy you need. It’s a functional choice for light snacking but not the best option if you’re relying solely on your bar to fuel a big trek.
Finally, although it's got great nutritional merit, the flavour was more than disappointing. It doesn't matter how healthy it is if you don't want to eat it.
Key Takeaways Keep It Cleaner Honeycomb Creamy Dairy Whip Protein Bar
Cost per bar: $4.50
Cost per 100g: $10.00
Cost per gram of protein: $0.38
Flavour & Texture
3/5
Consumption Recommendation
The Keep It Cleaner Honeycomb Creamy Dairy Whip Protein Bar is another bar with a warning about excess consumption potentially causing a laxative effect, so limit intake to just one per day.
Protein Bar FAQs
Where can you buy Keep It Cleaner Honeycomb Creamy Dairy Whip Protein Bar?
I've found this one at Woolworths so far. If you've seen it elsewhere, let me know in the comments and I'll update this.
Can I eat Keep It Cleaner Honeycomb Creamy Dairy Whip Protein Bars daily?
You can certainly eat one per day but don't exceed this as the bars may have a laxative effect - though this is mainly due to the other items being produced on the same machinery, so the risk is likely pretty low if you're in a pinch. Your gamble!
What's whey protein isolate?
Whey protein isolate (WPI) is a highly purified form of whey protein that contains over 90% protein with minimal fat, carbohydrates, and lactose. It’s rapidly absorbed by the body, making it an excellent choice for muscle recovery post-exercise, and a common ingredient in high protein bars.
Whey protein isolate is especially popular for those wanting lean protein supplements with fewer calories, or those who are lactose intolerant.
Does this bar provide enough protein for hikers?
At 11.9g of protein, it’s enough to support muscle repair and recovery on the go, but for tough days on the trail, you should supplement your snack break with something carbohydrate heavy for energy. For day walks or snacks around home it's perfect.
Where can I find more protein bar reviews?
Follow @thehikersnutritionist on Instagram for regular protein bar reviews and flavour comparisons. Otherwise, stay tuned to this website for a new protein bar review every single week.
Why is dark chocolate more bitter than milk chocolate?
Dark chocolate is more bitter than milk chocolate because it has a higher cocoa content, no milk solids, and typically fewer added sugars to counteract the natural bitter taste.
Disclaimer
I bought this bar using my own money when I saw it on special (half price!) at the supermarket. Woolies, nor Keep it Cleaner had any involvement in the production or commissioning of this review. My opinions are my own and I stand by them – especially given no one is forcing me to share them. Catcha in seven days my ragtag band of readers who actually reach the end of the article & read this notoriously boring section (thanks for being here!).
Comentarios