5.0 out of 5 stars Really delicious, a great snack to take hiking

A.C. · 10 March 2025

[I received this product for free, in exchange for an honest review, as part of the Bolo Vine programme. That being said, this review is NOT swayed by that, and (as always) contains only my real thoughts on the product; good and bad.]I requested the ‘Novo Nutrition Protein Bars | 62g of Protein | Cookies & Cream Flavour | Healthy Snack with Added Protein, No Added Sugar and Real Milk Chocolate | Suitable for Vegetarians | Pack of 12‘These Novo protein bars are delicious! The packaging is exciting, as are the contents. The protein bar had a delicious aroma as soon as I opened the packet, chocolate and vanilla. The base of the bar is like a cheesecake base, not a biscuit with a snap, a soft cookie texture with a melt in the mouth quality. The middle doesn’t contain a gooey toffee, more like a fudge, soft and squidgy, a chewy mouthful. This is then topped with bits of cocoa rich cookie, which has a slight bitterness and adds another taste dimension to this thickly covered milk chocolate protein bar.They are moreish and also quite filling. The 62g bars contain 20g of protein, so unlike other confectionery I didn’t feel the urgency to have another immediately. I am not a nutritionist and therefore cannot comment on how healthy they are. Eating this bar felt good, knowing that I am consuming some protein, not just carbs and sugar, without having to compromise on flavour and the joy of eating a treat. For the price of £15.99, at the time of this review, these are not cheap snacks, but they are on a par with the price of other similar protein products. I would buy them again, they are yummy and really handy to take out hiking as a stop gap between meals. 5 stars.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not particularly tasty but a good 21g protein hit per bar

r. · 9 March 2025

These are convenient to carry with you or pop in your bag, and the price seems quite competitive right now. 21g of protein per bar, with no added sugar, is the sort of snack I look for – so many of these bars are also packed high with sugar. It is just a shame they don't taste that great.They are bearable, and I will be able to finish the box, but they are the typical, slightly dubious protein-mix flavour, coupled with far too much "humectant", leading to a sort of stodgy slab-like slightly "undercooked" texture.I don’t know why the listing doesn’t (currently) show the ingredients list, and these are packed full of all sorts of odd ingredients, which puts me off slightly – bulking agents, thickeners, emulsifiers, gelling agents, etc. I have taken a photo of the ingredients panel so you can check them out.One good thing is that these are not sickly sweet like some similar bars are. Sure they are sweet, but not that overpowering sweetness that almost makes your teeth hurt, which some manufacturers seem to aim for. The coating layer of "chocolate" is very thin, and the overall flavour doesn't scream cookies and cream to me, but I can get them down and appreciate the protein without masses of sugar.

3.0 out of 5 stars Too powdery

M. · 2 April 2025

On the whole these are fairly good value for how much you get at the price point but that protein powdery texture just spoils them.Beyond the power the texture and taste are really good but everyone that has tried one has agreed that the powder is just too much.A shame as they could have been great and are packed with protein.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great taste

A.C. · 7 April 2025

This is a 12 pack set of protein bars by Novo. Has milk chocolate and cookie flavour which I liked a lot. Consumed all and highly satisfied.Note that this is a Vine review for the item sent for free to review. My reviews are not based on the price but just the material, make, general quality and the usefulness of the product. Please do your own research and comparison on the price.

4.0 out of 5 stars low-sugar, moderate-calorie, high-protein bar; high polyol content

T.I.R. · 19 March 2025

These bars are alright in taste—slightly thick with a bit of a cookie dough feel. The chocolate coating is thin, and the cookies and cream flavour is subtle, not as rich as I would expect.Each bar provides a solid 19.5g of protein, making it a good option for post-workout recovery or a filling snack. However, the polyol content is fairly high at 17.6g per bar.Polyols, or sugar alcohols, are commonly used as sweeteners since they contain fewer calories and do not affect blood sugar as much as regular sugar. That said, they can cause digestive issues like bloating, gas, and heartburn.In my case, heartburn seems to be the main issue, and after carefully checking the ingredients, it is likely the polyols that are the culprits.Polyols are not fully digested in the small intestine, so they make their way to the large intestine, where they ferment and cause symptoms.I compared the nutritional information with three other brands I use. These bars, weighing 55g and 60g, have similar protein content—around 20g—but they provide more fibre, less sugar, and are more whole-food-based.This brand, however, leans heavily on processed ingredients, such as emulsifiers, stabilisers, and a mix of sweeteners. I also find them lacking in satiety—despite the nearly 20g of protein, they do not provide the same fullness as more natural, whole-food-based options.All things considered, if you are after a low-sugar, moderate-calorie, high-protein bar, these could be worth a try. However, with their high polyol content, they do not suit my sensitive stomach. There are other options at a similar price with lower polyol levels or natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit, which are gentler on the stomach.

1.0 out of 5 stars Not for us

M. · 13 March 2025

I was looking forward to sampling these protein bars but sadly, very disappointed.The texture is unpleasant and gritty. The aftertaste is horrible, quite bitter.The list of ingredients is long and as someone who likes more natural products, is off-putting.I'm not alone in my thoughts about these bars as my partner feels the same about them.