Is Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a snack is truly gluten-free, we have to look beyond the marketing claims and inspect the source materials. The primary binder and sweetener in this bar is dates. Dates are naturally gluten-free fruits, providing a caramel-like sweetness and holding the bar together without the need for wheat-based flours.

For the protein punch, the manufacturer uses a protein blend consisting of pea protein, brown rice protein, and pea starch. This is a critical area for gluten scrutiny. Brown rice is naturally gluten-free, but it can sometimes be cross-contaminated during processing. However, in certified gluten-free products, manufacturers must test these raw ingredients to ensure safety. Pea protein is derived from yellow split peas and is inherently safe.

The texture and fiber come from tapioca syrup and soluble tapioca fiber. Tapioca is a starch extracted from the cassava root, a tuber that is completely unrelated to gluten grains. It provides chewiness without the gluten risk found in barley malt syrup or wheat flour. Similarly, almond meal is used, which is simply ground almonds—a safe, low-carb, gluten-free nut flour.

Finally, we look at the flavor profile. The unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder are pure chocolate products. While chocolate itself is gluten-free, flavored chocolates sometimes contain cookie bits or malt. In this case, the ingredients list indicates pure cocoa, ensuring the chocolate aspect remains safe. The inclusion of lion's mane mushroom extract adds a functional cognitive boost, and like the other plant ingredients, it is naturally free of gluten.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this bar is designed as a functional food rather than just a candy bar. It packs a significant amount of protein, largely derived from the pea and brown rice protein blend, pumpkin seed protein, and hemp protein. This amino acid profile supports muscle repair and satiety.

In terms of sugar, the bar utilizes monk fruit extract and the natural sugars found in dates. Monk fruit is a zero-calorie sweetener, which helps keep the glycemic load lower than if the bar relied solely on cane sugar. However, dates are a concentrated source of fructose, so while the sugar is natural, it still contributes to the total carbohydrate count. The soluble tapioca fiber is a prebiotic fiber that aids digestion and helps maintain the texture without spiking blood sugar significantly.

Fat content comes primarily from cocoa butter and almond meal. These are generally considered healthy fats, though saturated fat is present due to the cocoa butter. Overall, this bar fits well into a high-protein, gluten-free diet, but due to the calorie density from nuts and fats, portion control is recommended if you are strictly counting calories for weight loss.