BC Snacks Plant Protein Bar Dark Choc Coconut
BC Snacks Plant Protein Bar Dark Choc Coconut: independently scored 5.6/10 on Protein Score and 6.4/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
6.4g protein per serve · 170 cal · 8.6g sugar · 39mg sodium · 40g serve.
Overview
This bar is an outlier in the BC Snacks lineup, and not for the better. Where the brand's other products lean into high-protein, low-sugar formulas, this plant-based Dark Choc Coconut version takes a different path, using dates and brown rice syrup as its base. The result is a softer, chewier bar that eats more like a wholefood snack from the health aisle. Compared with the brand's 2x Protein Bar Raspberry Truffle Flavoured, this bar has over 10g less protein and a hefty 16.7g more sugar per 100g. That positions it as a fundamentally different product, despite sharing shelf space. With just 6.4g of protein per serve, it's a snack-with-protein, not a protein-first bar. With 16.1g of protein per 100g, it sits well below the 27g category average for protein bars we track. The sugar content is also more than double the category average, confirming its place as a taste-led choice. We'd see this as a swap for a confectionery bar, not as a functional food for anyone tracking their macros closely.
Protein Score: 5.6/10
Is this a genuine protein bar or just a snack with a bit of protein added? The 6.4g of protein in a 40g bar provides the answer, landing it closer to a standard muesli bar than a dedicated recovery product. This earns it a 4.2/10, trailing the field for protein density. The protein-per-calorie number is low for a product in this category. You are getting more of your energy from sugars and fats than from the protein itself, which undermines its positioning as a protein-centric snack. It simply doesn't deliver the hit expected from a bar in this aisle. Stacked against the brand's own high-protein options, the gap is significant. You would need to eat three or four of these bars to get the protein of a single one of its siblings, which makes it a poor choice for anyone seriously tracking their intake or looking for a post-workout refuel.
Clean Score: 6.4/10
The use of emulsifiers like soy lecithin (322) and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (476) helps create a stable, uniform dark chocolate coating that holds together. With 18 ingredients and three additives on the list, it avoids a highly processed feel, earning a 6.1/10. While it uses wholefood-style ingredients like dates, coconut and cashews, the presence of processed elements like brown rice syrup and a chocolate compound place it in the middle of the spectrum. It avoids artificial sweeteners but uses maltitol, a sugar alcohol, in its chocolate component to manage the overall sugar load. The ingredient list is fairly typical for a shelf-stable snack bar aiming for a specific texture and taste profile. It's not a minimalist wholefood bar, but it also steers clear of the longer additive lists seen in more engineered products. For most shoppers, it represents a reasonable trade-off.
Wins
- High in fibre with 21.4g per 100g.
- Uses a pea protein base for a plant-led option.
- Under 100mg of sodium per 100g.
Watch outs
- Just 6.4g of protein per 40g bar.
- Contains 8.6g of sugar in a single bar.
- Trails the brand's other bars on protein and sugar.
Ingredients
Dates, No Added Sugar Dark Chocolate Compound 20% (Sweetener (Maltitol), Vegetable Fat, Cocoa Powder, Soy Protein Isolate, Emulsifiers (322 (Soy), 476), Natural Flavour), Coconut 11%, Pea Protein 10%, Brown Rice Syrup, Cashews, Pepitas, Humectant (Vegetable Glycerol), Coconut Oil, Cocoa Powder 3%, Natural Flavours.
18 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I buy the BC Snacks Plant Protein Bar?
- This bar is listed in the snack aisle at Coles supermarkets. While it's a widely stocked product, availability can vary by store location. It may also be available to purchase directly from the brand's website, which is worth checking for multi-pack deals or other flavours. We'd suggest checking the Coles website for local stock before making a special trip.
- Will the sweetener in this bar cause stomach issues?
- This bar's chocolate compound contains maltitol, a sugar alcohol (polyol). For some people, particularly those with sensitive stomachs, sugar alcohols can cause digestive issues like gas or bloating, especially when consumed in large quantities. A single 40g bar is unlikely to cause issues for most, but it's something to be aware of. If you know you're sensitive to polyols, you might want to look for a bar that uses a different sweetener.
- How does this bar compare to others in the BC Snacks range?
- This Dark Choc Coconut bar is one of the lowest-protein and highest-sugar options in the BC Snacks lineup we've seen. For example, their '2x Protein Bar Raspberry Truffle Flavoured' has almost 11g more protein and nearly 17g less sugar per 100g. This makes the Dark Choc Coconut bar more of a treat-style snack. If you're after a more functional, high-protein bar, we'd suggest looking at other products in the brand's range.
- Is this bar filling enough for a snack?
- Yes, for most people this bar should be a reasonably filling snack. It contains 170 calories and a high amount of dietary fibre, with 21.4g per 100g, which helps with satiety. The dates, nuts, and seeds also provide a dense texture that requires a bit of chewing, making it feel more substantial than a lighter, crispier snack. We think it's a good size for beating an afternoon slump, but it's not substantial enough to replace a small meal.
- Who makes BC Snacks protein bars?
- The brand history here is unusual. BC Snacks was a defunct Australian brand of potato crisps, previously owned by The Smith's Snackfood Company. The name has since been repurposed for this range of protein bars and snacks. For more detailed information on the current ownership or manufacturing, the brand's own website is the best source of information. We haven't independently verified the current company structure.