Carman's Multigrain Muesli Bars Milk Choc Strawberry
Carman's Multigrain Muesli Bars Milk Choc Strawberry: independently scored 8.0/10 on Protein Score and 6.4/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
2.2g protein per serve · 131 cal · 7.3g sugar · 34mg sodium · 30g serve.
Overview
This is a classic lunchbox muesli bar, not a protein-focused snack. With 7.3g of protein per 100g, it sits far below the 27g category average for protein snacks, while its 24.4g of sugar per 100g is more than double the typical product we see in this aisle. The result is a bar that eats like a sweet treat, with a familiar oat and chocolate texture. Carman's has a wide range of bars, and this one sits firmly at the muesli-bar end of the spectrum. Compared with the brand's Golden Oat & Coconut Oat Slices, this bar offers a fraction more protein for a little less sugar, but both are fundamentally oat-based snacks rather than performance products. It shouldn't be confused with the brand's dedicated plant-protein bars, which offer a much stronger nutritional profile. We see this as a direct swap for a chocolate bar or biscuit in a lunchbox or desk drawer. The five-bar multipack format reinforces this use case. It's a convenient, portable bite for when you want something familiar and sweet, but it's not the bar to reach for if you're tracking your macros closely or need a substantial protein top-up.
Protein Score: 8.0/10
The minimal protein here comes at the cost of a substantial sugar load for the category. With just 2.2g of protein per bar, it earns a 2/10 and sits far from what we'd consider a functional snack, delivering only 1.7g of protein for every 100 calories. This performance trails the field for protein bars and snacks. To put the 2.2g serve in perspective, you would need to eat ten of these bars to get the protein found in a single, typical protein bar. It lands squarely in the territory of a standard muesli bar, not a recovery product. For anyone needing a post-gym refuel or a snack to meaningfully contribute to their daily protein target, this isn't the one. It's better understood as a light, oat-based snack that happens to contain a small amount of protein, rather than a product you'd buy for the protein itself.
Clean Score: 6.4/10
This bar sits on the more processed end of the snack aisle, with a lengthy ingredient list. The 29 ingredients and five additives - including emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, 476, 471) and a gelling agent (Pectin) - land it a Clean Score/10, which is below the category average. The ingredient list is longer than the typical product we track in this category. The additives are here to create a consistent texture and keep the bar stable on the shelf, binding the milk chocolate compound and strawberry pieces together. Multiple sources of sugar, including glucose and golden syrup, contribute to the bar's sweetness and structure. For shoppers who prioritise a short, simple ingredient list, there are cleaner options available, including within the Carman's own range. This is a convenient, packaged product built for taste and a long shelf life, not for a whole-food profile.
Wins
- Only 131 calories per bar, making it a light snack option.
- Contains 8.2g of fibre per 100g from oats and chicory fibre.
- Whole grain oats are the first ingredient on the list at 25%.
Watch outs
- Just 2.2g of protein per bar, which is minimal for this category.
- Over 24g of sugar per 100g from multiple added sugar sources.
- A long list of 29 ingredients indicates a more processed bar.
Ingredients
Whole Grain Oats 25%, Milk Choc Compound 25% (Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Milk Solids, Cocoa Solids, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin, 476), Natural Flavours), Glucose, Rice Crisps (Rice, Sugar, Golden Syrup, Salt, Emulsifier (471)), Wheat Flakes, Golden Syrup, Chicory Fibre, Wheat Bran Flakes (Antioxidant (Mixed Tocopherols)), Rice Flakes (Emulsifier (Sunflower Lecithin)), Blackcurrant Rice Flakes, Sweetened Strawberry Pieces 2% (Strawberry Puree 4%, Gelling Agent (Pectin), Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid)), Coconut, Sunflower Oil, Humectant (Glycerin), Natural Flavour, Food Acid (Citric Acid).
29 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this Carman's bar filling enough for a snack?
- It's best considered a light snack rather than a particularly filling one. The bar contains a decent amount of fibre from oats and chicory, but at only 30g and 131 calories, it's not designed to replace a small meal or keep you full for hours. The low protein content also means it lacks the satiety that a more protein-dense bar would offer. We'd grab it for a quick bite, but not if you're looking for something to tide you over until your next meal.
- How does the protein compare to a dedicated protein bar?
- The protein content is not comparable to a dedicated protein bar. This bar provides just 2.2g of protein, whereas most protein bars on the market offer between 20g and 30g per serve. It sits firmly in the range of a standard muesli bar. You would need to eat about ten of these bars to match the protein in a single, typical protein-focused bar. If your goal is a significant protein boost, we'd suggest looking elsewhere.
- Where can I buy these Carman's muesli bars?
- This product is listed in the snack aisle at Coles supermarkets. As with many national brands, it may also be available for purchase directly from the Carman's website or at other independent grocers. We recommend checking the retailer's website for current stock levels before heading in-store. Based on our data, Coles is a reliable place to find it on the shelf.
- What is the main ingredient in this bar?
- The primary ingredient is whole grain oats, which make up 25% of the bar. The second most prominent ingredient is a milk chocolate compound, which itself lists sugar as its main component. Glucose and golden syrup also appear high on the list, highlighting that this is a grain-and-sugar-based bar first and foremost. While oats provide a good base, the overall profile is sweet, not protein-focused.
- Why does this bar get a low Protein Score?
- Our Protein Score reflects how much protein a product delivers for its calories and weight, compared to others in its category. This bar has just 7.3g of protein per 100g, which is significantly lower than the category average of 27g for protein bars and snacks. It also provides only 1.7g of protein per 100 calories. Because its protein density is low, it scores poorly as a 'protein' product and is better classified as a conventional muesli bar.