BSc High Protein Low Carb Bar Salted Caramel
BSc High Protein Low Carb Bar Salted Caramel: independently scored 9.3/10 on Protein Score and 6.3/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
18.5g protein per serve · 202 cal · 2.7g sugar · 262mg sodium · 60g serve.
Overview
This Salted Caramel bar sits in a crowded field of BSc protein snacks, leaning heavily into the indulgent, confectionery-style format. Compared with the brand's Soft Protein Bar Banana Chocolate, it packs a little more protein (1.5g per 100g) for a slightly higher sugar count. The result is a bar that feels more like a chocolate bar replacement than a stripped-back recovery tool. With 43 ingredients, it has almost double the number of the typical protein snack we track, which averages around 22. This complexity is the trade-off for its multi-layered texture, combining a soft core, caramel paste, and chocolate coating. The protein density itself, at 30.9g per 100g, is comfortably above the 27g category average, so it earns its place on the shelf from a macro perspective. Ultimately, this isn't a bar for the ingredient-conscious shopper. It's for the person standing in the supermarket aisle wanting a protein-boosted snack that genuinely mimics a classic caramel chocolate bar. We see it as a glovebox or desk-drawer option for curbing a sweet craving, rather than a clean, post-workout refuel.
Protein Score: 9.3/10
Stacked against its Soft Protein Bar Banana Chocolate sibling, this bar delivers a slightly denser protein hit. The 18.5g of protein in a 60g bar is a solid contribution, earning an 8.1/10 that puts it comfortably above the category average. Protein per calorie is also strong. The protein blend is complex, drawing from whey, casein, soy, and hydrolysed collagen. This multi-source approach contributes to the bar's chewy, substantial texture, making it feel more filling than its 202 calories might suggest. For a single bar, it delivers a protein load that gets close to what you'd find in some dedicated recovery bars. This isn't quite a 20g+ heavyweight, but it's a significant step up from a standard muesli bar. It suits the calorie-aware shopper who wants the protein serving without committing to a bulkier, higher-calorie bar. It lands as a convenient, effective top-up.
Clean Score: 6.3/10
The soft, layered texture and sweet caramel flavour are the result of a long and complex ingredient list. With 43 ingredients, including multiple humectants, sweeteners, and stabilisers, it scores a 5/10 for clean formulation. This places it well below the average for the protein snacks category. The list includes a suite of sugar alcohols like Erythritol (E968), Maltitol (E965), and Sorbitol (E420) to keep the sugar count down to just 2.7g per bar. Polydextrose, a synthetic polymer of glucose, adds fibre and bulk. While none of these are artificial sweeteners, the sheer number of processed ingredients is what drives the score down. This is the classic trade-off in the modern protein bar aisle: a clean, simple ingredient list, or a bar that tastes and feels like confectionery. BSc has chosen the latter path here. It's not for the shopper chasing whole foods, but for someone who accepts the processing cost for a better tasting snack.
Wins
- Delivers a solid 18.5g of protein per 60g bar.
- Keeps sugar low at just 2.7g per serve.
- High in fibre with 12.7g per 100g.
Watch outs
- A very long list of 43 ingredients.
- Contains three different sugar alcohols (polyols).
- Uses added sugar in its caramel paste.
Ingredients
BSc Protein Blend (Dairy Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate (Milk), Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Calcium Caseinate (Milk)), Soy Protein Isolate, Hydrolysed Collagen, Soy Protein Crisps), No Added Sugar Milk Choc 20% (Vegetable Fat, Sweetener (Erythritol), Milk Solids 15%, Inulin, Cocoa Solids 5%, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Natural Flavour, Sweetener (Steviol Glycosides, Monk Fruit Extract)), Polydextrose, Caramel Paste 8% (Invert Sugar, Humectants (Sorbitol, Glycerol), Concentrated Pear Puree, Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), Sunflower Oil, Citrus Fibre, Natural Colours (Caramel I, Titanium Dioxide), Gelling Agent (Pectin), Firming Agent (Calcium Lactate), Natural Flavour), Sweetener (Maltitol), Humectant (Glycerol), Sweetener (Sorbitol), Sugar Free Caramel Chips 2.5%, Glycine, Honeycomb Chips 2%, Sunflower Oil, Salt 0.5%, Natural Flavour, Natural Colour (Caramel I), Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Antioxidant (Vitamin E), Sweetener (Steviol Glycosides).
43 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Will the sweeteners in this bar cause stomach issues?
- It's possible for some people. This bar contains several sugar alcohols (polyols), including Erythritol (E968), Maltitol (E965), and Sorbitol (E420), which can cause digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals. They are used to provide sweetness without the calories of sugar. If you know you react to polyols, you might want to start with half a bar. For most people, a single bar should be fine.
- Is this better as a pre or post-workout snack?
- It works best as a post-workout snack on the go. With 18.5g of protein, it provides a substantial amount to aid muscle recovery after exercise. While you could have it beforehand, the high fibre and complex protein blend might feel a bit heavy during a workout. We think it's better suited for the gym bag to have on the way home.
- Is this bar filling enough for a snack?
- Yes, for most people this should be a satisfying snack. It packs 202 calories and a good amount of fibre from ingredients like polydextrose, which helps with satiety. The combination of 18.5g of protein and a chewy, dense texture means it takes a while to eat and feels more substantial than a lighter snack. It's a solid choice to bridge a meal gap.
- Where can I buy the BSc Salted Caramel protein bar?
- This bar is widely available in major Australian supermarkets. It is catalogued at both Coles and Woolworths, so you can typically find it in the health food or snack aisle. It may also be available to purchase directly from the BSc website or other sports nutrition retailers online. We'd check the supermarket shelves first for convenience.
- How does this compare to other BSc protein bars?
- This bar is more focused on taste and texture than some others in the BSc range. For example, compared to the brand's Soft Protein Bar Banana Chocolate, this Salted Caramel version has slightly more protein but also a little more sugar per 100g. It generally sits in the middle of the brand's lineup for protein density, but at the higher end for ingredient complexity.