Bulletproof - Chocolate Dipped Collagen Bar Coconut - Oct. 10, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Bulletproof 360, Inc. 
Chocolate Dipped Collagen Bar - Coconut 
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Coconut Chocolate Dipped Collagen Bar was distributed by Bulletproof 360, Inc. (Seattle, WA). 

Aroma notes for this bar included: tree (maple) syrup, chocolate, and slightly nutty and sweet coconut "nougat." The softly crunchy bar interior was covered with a layer of smooth dark chocolate. 

The combined flavors and texture exceeded my expectations. (I brace myself a little when I sample energy/protein style bars and see "natural flavors" in the ingredients list.) Yes, this designed-to-be-functional, keto friendly (Net 3 g. carbs), protein bar wasn't single origin dark chocolate, but it was surprisingly tasty.

Bulletproof founder, Dave Asprey, has focused on aspects of nutrition and longevity. Collagen (grass-fed) proteins are often featured in their offerings. Today's Collagen Bar contained 7 grams of protein (about the same amount of protein in 1 egg; or 1 ounce (28 g.) of cheese; or 1.25 oz. /(35.37 g.) of almonds).*

Ingredients: Cashew butter, chocolate coating (unsweetened  chocolate, inulin, erythritol, cocoa butter, vanilla extract, stevia leaf extract), inulin, hydrolyzed collagen, MCT oil powder (caprylic and capric acid triglycerides from highly refined coconut oil, coconut oil, tapioca dextrin), coconut. Less than 2% of: safflower or sunflower oil, sunflower lecithin, natural flavors, sea salt, organic stevia leaf extract.

Allergen-related information: Contains: coconut, cashews, milk. "Processed in a facility that also processes peanuts, egg, soy, milk, wheat, tree nuts."

*The amino acids that form the building blocks of collagen are important. Collagen proteins play an important role in healthy skin, hair and joints. (Collagen protein contains 19 amino acids, and is especially rich in glycine, hydroxyproline and proline.) Bulletproof protein offerings include mostly Type 1 and Type 3 collagen proteins. For more information, visit their website, https://www.bulletproof.com/

Lady Bird Provisions, LLC - Happy Cacao Coffee Bombs - July 7, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Lady Bird Provisions, LLC

Happy Cacao Coffee Bombs

Good ++

Weight: .6 oz. (17 g.) / 5.4 oz. (153 g.) in total package of 9 bombs/pieces

Calories: 110 calories in 1 bomb/piece 

Cost: $10.49 for 1 package of 9 bombs/pieces

Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA (now closed) 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Coffee Theme Week.

Today's "Happy Cacao" Coffee Bombs were from Lady Bird Provisions, LLC (Austin, TX). The company offers a line of Coffee Bombs and collagen coffee creamers (other flavors include: Peppermint Mocha and Vanilla Cinnamon) to blend with hot coffee, milk or tea.

The resulting hot beverage had a rich buttery, brothy texture and mouthfeel and had pleasing mocha cinnamon notes. 

The cacao tasted authentic, and the sweetness level was just about right, i.e. not too sweet (thank you). The judicious amount of maple sugar contributed a nice, naturally sweet accent flavor with the cinnamon.

Marketing these "bombs" just for coffee or tea, might be limiting the versatility of this tasty, low-carbohydrate (total carbs: 2 g. per bomb), rich buttery cacao add-in. I'm already planning to make a small hot shot with a small cup of hot water, with one or two cacao bombs (and very little coffee) to enjoy as a morning boost later this week. Mixing this "bomb" into oatmeal also would be tasty. 

Note: each bomb does contain a hefty amount of saturated (coconut and butter) fat; but if you're an active person and eat healthy, I don't see that as an issue. I tend to eat much less later in the day if I start my morning with some healthy fat and protein.

Ingredients: Organic, unrefined coconut oil, grass-fed bovine collagen peptides and grass-fed butter, organic cacao, pure maple sugar, organic Ceylon cinnamon.

Allergen-related information: Contains tree nuts (coconut), milk (butter).

Bulletproof - Fudge Brownie Collagen Protein Bar - Nov. 25, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bulletproof
Fudge Brownie Collagen Protein bar
Good
Weight: 1.58 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.79 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Protein Theme Week.

Today's Fudge Brownie Collagen Protein bar was manufactured for Bulletproof 360, Inc. (Seattle, WA). The company's CEO, Dave Asprey, has focused on products that help support health, longevity and performance.

This bar was designed not for fun or deep, rich chocolate flavor, but rather more with function in mind: high protein (11 g.), optimized fats (14 g.) and lower carbohydrates (14 g. total carbs and only 2 g. of sugars).

I liked this bar more than the often heavy, sweet and gooey compressed bars that claim to be nutrition or protein bars. This felt more lean and sleek and less sweet (with no added sugar, thank you!), with a uniform light crunch, touch of chocolate brownie flavor and a hint of sea salt.

Highly refined and fine-tuned oils* were used to make these bars. The collagen protein came from grass-fed cows.

*Ingredients: Organic cashew butter, grass-fed collagen protein, inulin (chicory), Bulletproof(tm) XCT oil powder (caprylic and capric acid triglycerides from highly refined coconut and/or palm kernel oil, tapioca dextrin, cocoa powder, organic cashews, Bulletproof (tim) Brain Octane oil (caprylic acid triglycerides from highly refined coconut oil), vanilla extract, organic coconut oil, sea salt, organic stevia leaf extract.

Health Lab - Cacao Sea Salt Collagen Ball - July 22, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Health Lab
Cacao Sea Salt Collagen Ball
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) for 1 package
Calories: 196 calories in 1 ball
Cost: $0.69 for 1 ball
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's Cacao Sea Salt Collagen* Ball ("Beauty Snack for hair, skin and nails") was from Health Lab (Melbourne, Australia).

This chocolate had the even aroma and flavor of a fudge brownie, only chewier.
It had a thick, substantial texture and was satisfying, with a sweet cocoa aftertaste.

The added sea salt was quite subtle but was present throughout the tasting experience at about the same level.

*The company uses marine collagen for its collagen balls.

Primal Kitchen - Dark Chocolate Almond bar with Grass-Fed Collagen bar - Oct. 16, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Primal Kitchen 

Dark Chocolate Almond bar made with grass-fed collagen bar

Good ?

Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total bar

Calories: 115 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $3.79 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA 

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Honey Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Almond bar made with grass-fed collagen bar from Primal Kitchen (Oxnard, CA) was made with roasted almonds and pumpkin seeds and was enrobed in dark chocolate.

This honey-sweetened, paleo, gluten free and dairy free bar also contained grass-fed collagen that helped to boost the protein content (15 grams), and to give the bar a slightly transparent, glossy shine.