Carman's Salted Dark Choc & Almond Protein Bars 5 Pack
Carman's Salted Dark Choc & Almond Protein Bars 5 Pack: independently scored 6.3/10 on Protein Score and 6.6/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
10.4g protein per serve · 190 cal · 5.9g sugar · 151mg sodium · 40g serve.
Overview
This Salted Dark Choc & Almond bar sits in a busy part of the Carman's lineup. Compared with the brand's Plant Protein Raspberry Pistachio bar, it packs a fraction more protein but also carries a higher sugar load, with an extra 3.0g of sugar per 100g. The ingredient list is led by what you can see: 37% nuts and 7% seeds. This gives it a texture and flavour that many highly processed bars lack. However, the trade-off for that whole-food feel is a reliance on multiple sweeteners, including glucose, honey, and brown rice syrup to bind it all together. On the numbers, it lags the field slightly. With 26g of protein per 100g, it falls just shy of the 27g category average for protein bars we track. This positions it as a snack-with-protein, rather than a protein-first product for anyone chasing serious recovery numbers. We see it as a solid upgrade from a standard supermarket muesli bar, but not a direct swap for a gym-bag staple.
Protein Score: 6.3/10
This bar lands in a tricky middle ground, not quite a dedicated protein bar but more than a standard muesli bar. The 10.4g of protein in a 40g serve is a decent lift, but it earns a 4.9/10, placing it below the category average. Its protein-per-calorie efficiency is 5.5g per 100kcal, which is in the expected range but doesn't compete with leaner, more focused bars. You're getting a significant amount of energy from fats and carbs alongside the protein, which is typical for a bar that leads with nuts. Ultimately, this isn't a post-workout recovery tool. Think of it as a snack that works harder than a chocolate bar. It suits someone who wants a satisfying chew and some protein to get them through the afternoon, rather than an athlete optimising their intake.
Clean Score: 6.6/10
Carman's bars often lean on whole-food ingredients, and this one is no different, with nuts and seeds leading the charge. Despite this, a list of 28 ingredients and the presence of added sugars and an emulsifier result in a Clean Score/10. This score trails the field for protein bars, reflecting a higher level of processing than simpler alternatives. The main drivers are the three sources of sugar (glucose, honey, brown rice syrup) and the use of soy lecithin as an emulsifier to hold the dark chocolate compound together. While the bar avoids artificial sweeteners, colours, and preservatives, the long ingredient list is the trade-off for its texture and shelf stability. It's a snack built for taste and convenience, which is reflected in its mid-table score.
Wins
- 10.4g of protein is a solid step up from a typical muesli bar.
- A whole-food base from 37% nuts and 7% seeds provides texture.
- Contains no artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives.
Watch outs
- Three different types of added sugar are used.
- Protein density is slightly below the category average.
- A long list of 28 ingredients points to significant processing.
Ingredients
Nuts (Peanuts 22%, Almonds 15%), Plant Protein Blend (Soy Protein Crisps (Isolated Soy Protein, Tapioca Starch, Salt), Soy Protein Isolate), Glucose, Salted Dark Choc Compound 9% (Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Cocoa Powder, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin, Sunflower Lecithin), Salt, Natural Flavour, Milk), Chicory Fibre, Seeds 7% (Pepitas, Sunflower, Sesame), Honey 4%, Sunflower Oil, Buckwheat, Brown Rice Syrup, Natural Flavour, Sea Salt.
28 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I buy Carman's Salted Dark Choc & Almond Protein Bars?
- You can typically find these bars in the muesli bar or health food aisle of major Australian supermarkets. They are catalogued at both Coles and Woolworths. They may also be available to purchase directly from the Carman's website. We recommend checking the retailers' websites for current stock levels and availability in your local area.
- Is this a proper protein bar for after the gym?
- In our view, this is more of a snack-with-protein than a dedicated post-workout bar. It provides 10.4g of protein per serve, which is significantly more than a standard 2-5g muesli bar. However, it falls short of the 20-30g of protein typically found in bars designed for muscle recovery. We'd say it's a good choice for an afternoon snack, but not the best option for a serious post-gym refuel.
- How does this bar compare to other Carman's protein bars?
- This bar is one of several protein-fortified options from Carman's. Compared to the brand's Plant Protein Bar in the Raspberry Pistachio flavour, this Salted Dark Choc & Almond version has slightly more protein but also contains 3.0g more sugar per 100g. This highlights a common trade-off in the range between protein content and sweetness. We think it's a more indulgent-tasting option in the lineup.
- Is this bar filling enough for a snack?
- Yes, at 190 calories per 40g bar, it's a substantial snack that should help with afternoon hunger. The combination of protein (10.4g), fat from nuts (27.7g per 100g), and fibre (9g per 100g) makes it quite satiating for its size. The dense, chewy texture from the nuts and seeds also makes it feel more satisfying than a lighter, crispier snack. We'd grab one to tide you over between meals.
- Why isn't the Clean Score higher if it has no artificial sweeteners?
- Our Clean Score considers several factors, not just artificial additives. This bar scores in the middle of the pack because its ingredient list is quite long at 28 items, which suggests a higher level of processing. It also contains three separate sources of added sugar (glucose, honey, brown rice syrup) and soy lecithin, an emulsifier. While it avoids artificial sweeteners, the overall formulation keeps it from scoring higher.