Gatorade Whey Protein Bar

8.6 score
[Editors rating (8.6) + Users rating (10.0)] / 2 = (WalkJogRun) score (8.6)/10

Editor rating: 8.6 / 10
User's rating: based on 2 user ratings
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Gatorade Whey Protein Bars used to only be available to those in the big leagues. This official protein-packed food of the major sports leagues is finally being offered to all athletes. These have added calcium to help your muscles thrive, filled with 20 whole grams of whey protein. Their blend of milk and whey protein is high in both carbohydrates and saturated fat, which won’t be compatible with many diets. Still, the essential amino acids help you get the most out of the protein in this Gatorade bar.

Editor's Pros & Cons
  • 20g Protein
  • 38-43g Carbohydrates
  • Essential Amino Acids
  • Pleasant Texture
  • Whey/Milk Protein
  • Inexpensive
  • 10g Saturated Fat
  • 29g Sugar


When it comes to sports drinks, there is none better recognized than Gatorade. They have long been dedicated to fueling athletes on and off the field. The Gatorade Whey Protein Bar is just another shining example of the brand’s main goal.

They started as an idea by the head coach of the Gators. Soon Gatorade was developed. It contained only six simple ingredients and aimed to replace what athletes lose when sweating. Not only do their famous energy drinks contain electrolytes but foods like the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar do as well.

Since they pioneered sports drinks, they are now trying to pioneer supplemental options for anyone with an active lifestyle. They are the official sports food and drink provider for all the major professional sports leagues. Gatorade Whey Protein Bars can be trusted to give players what they need to stay strong and energetic.


Some protein bars can be eaten by anyone. Their fat, sugar, and calorie contents are not too difficult to justify, even if you’re just sitting at the office. That is not the case with the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar. This is designed to fuel people who are very active, or else it won’t be very healthy at all. High calories and sugar keep this from being a viable option for people who aren’t breaking a sweat.

The Gatorade Whey Protein Bar is 350 calories. This might not seem like much, but it isn’t just the amount of calories that matter, it’s also about where they come from. A lot of these calories come from sugar and fat. These bars have over half of the daily fat value of a 2,000 calorie-a-day diet.

If you’re very active and eat little sugar throughout the day, the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar will be fine for you. The Gatorade Whey Protein Bar just isn’t well balanced enough for a regular meal replacement or supplement unless you need true performance food. Its calorie count comes almost entirely from the least productive nutrients.


Largely in part due to all of the sugar, the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar has one of the highest carbohydrate levels for bars of its size. It can contain anywhere between 38 to 43 grams of carbohydrates, depending on the flavor. While carbohydrates are often looked at as bad for you nutrition wise, they serve a very important function.

Carbohydrates give the body energy and this bar has double what most comparable bars do. This Gatorade Whey Protein Bar seems like it might be unhealthy but it has everything you need when you’re doing a grueling workout. The high level of carbohydrates fuels you while the protein aids you in building muscles.

Since these contain some fiber, you will feel satisfied after eating them for a longer period. Even though half of the carbohydrates come from sugar, this is still a bar that packs a huge punch. It is almost as if the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar contains the benefits of both energy chews or gels and a protein bar together.

Dietary Accommodations

Since health food companies make both energy or protein bars, you can usually find they are sensitive to the dietary needs of their consumer base. People have needs or restrictions that shape what they can and cannot eat. With the medical knowledge we have now about food sensitivities and allergies, more people are realizing they have to avoid certain foods.

That is why it is so common to see protein bars boast their vegan or gluten-free status. The Gatorade Whey Protein Bar is not either of those things nor is it organic or non-GMO. These can’t be eaten by anyone with peanut or milk allergies. If you are lactose intolerant you will want to avoid these too.

The Gatorade Whey Protein Bar has a higher glycemic index than other protein bars as well. Overall, this bar isn’t fit to accommodate most dietary needs. They have protein options with almond butter which are lower in sugar and fat but they are similarly limited in who will be able to enjoy them.


Gatorade Whey Protein Bars come in the more classic flavors for this kind of protein supplement. There are mostly dessert inspired favorites. Their current line up has multiple chocolate options, including peanut butter, mint, caramel, and pretzel. These flavor choices are great if you love chocolate but less exciting if you aren’t a fan.

The only Gatorade Whey Protein Bar that isn’t chocolate is their Vanilla Almond. They do have a cookie and cream flavor as well but that still contains chocolate. Those who did enjoy the flavor offerings thought Gatorade Whey Protein Bars do an excellent job of reducing that staple chocolate protein taste. Reviewers thought it was a good texture and creamy without tasting chalky.

These taste very sweet. Not the choice for those who prefer more natural flavors. Gatorade Whey Protein Bars are a better fit for people with a sweet tooth! These taste rich, so sugary that some reviewers said it was trying to taste like a candy bar.


Brands who make a different protein or meal supplements love to boast whole ingredients and healthy nutrient levels in their products. Their ingredients list will start with something like a nut or grain, then continue with an easy-to-read list of foods you recognize. This starts with an artificial chocolate coating, which is less appealing.

If you go on to read the ingredients of the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar, you will see that many of its ingredients include different artificial sweeteners. While many people may not like this at first glance, Gatorade claims that it helps to give the consumer really quick energy to boost their workout. Bars like the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar which are high in sugar and carbohydrates should be eaten a few hours before a workout.

The brand says that their bars will help repair muscles and store sugar as energy for tomorrow. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t matter when protein is eaten around a workout. It can be had before or after the workout, it is the carbohydrates that make the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar better for before. If you like to get moving as soon as you wake up, you'll feel invigorated with a Gatorade Whey Protein Bar. A higher protein and lower carbohydrate option would be ideal for after to repair your muscles.


As mentioned before, there are no special dietary accommodations that this Gatorade Whey Protein Bar provides. The great thing about that is they can use whey and milk proteins. Vegan bars can’t use milk proteins, so they are great for those who avoid animal byproducts or the lactose intolerant but soy protein affects many people negatively.

Milk has two different proteins in it: cassein and whey. Cassein contains a lot of lactose and has to be avoided by those sensitive to it. Cassein makes up four more times the protein in milk than whey does but whey is a pure protein. Gatorade Whey Protein Bars uses both of these proteins to achieve their flavor, texture, and ability to repair muscles.

Where soy can cause gastrointestinal distress and bloat, whey protein does not. The protein in the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar contains all nine essential amino acids. Amino acids are what bind to form protein, they are like the building blocks that form the long strands of proteins that build and repair our muscles.

Much of the tissue in the human body is made up of amino acids. The nine essential acids can’t be produced naturally in our body, so we rely on outside sources like the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar. Once you eat this, it’s whey protein will break down into amino acids and get to work repairing your cells. The Gatorade Whey Protein Bars keep your muscles healthy by providing the essential ones for you.

Fat Content

Gatorade Whey Protein Bars are marketed as health and workout food. Due to this, it may surprise you that their saturated fat content is more than double that of chocolate candy bars. Gatorade Whey Protein Bars are not a part of any low-fat diet. Trans fats are the unhealthiest fat and are essentially banned in the United States, so these at least don’t contain them, but saturated fats aren’t that much better.

These contain a whopping fifty percent of the daily recommended saturated fat intake. With 13 grams total, these are definitely a higher fat option. The Gatorade Whey Protein Bar most likely contains this amount of fat due to their protein coming from milk, a natural source of saturated fat.

Fats help the body absorb certain nutrients and creates cell walls. Fat also gives the body energy. It is recommended to only have ten percent of your daily caloric intake come from saturated fats, however. If you start your day with the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar, you will be getting a huge head start on that saturated fat limit. If you are monitoring other sources of saturated fats, this could be manageable regardless.

Anyone with high cholesterol or blood pressure should choose a bar with lower saturated fat than the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar. Saturated fat contributes to heart disease and if it isn’t consumed thoughtfully it can worsen a host of health problems. People who carefully count their macronutrients and the sources of calories should still be able to integrate the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar into their diet.


In the reviews, sugar content is one of the most complained about factors of this Gatorade Whey Protein Bar. Carbohydrates important nutrients that the body needs in doses, it is the greatest source of energy we have. Gatorade answered most complaints by stressing the importance of glucose and fructose in their bars.

These quick absorbing sugars can provide an initial burst of energy.which can help enhance your performance while working out. All sugar is not created equal, however, and many athletes complained about the synthetic sweeteners, for both flavor and health reasons. It is all about balancing the rest of your diet.

Whether these are right for you will depend on your diet and activity. Many can eat a Gatorade Whey Protein Bar but it won't be a fantastic choice for weight loss or meal replacement. If you aren’t extremely active, your body can’t work off some of the more excessive nutrient levels in this Gatorade Whey Protein Bar.


Protein bars usually are pretty affordable. With their assorted or bulk boxes, you can get a pretty cheap meal or supplement at an affordable price. The Gatorade Whey Protein Bars are about 25 percent more expensive than healthier protein bar options.

These are priced comparably and taste similar to a candy bar, so if that sounds right up your alley you will love the Gatorade Whey Protein Bars. Their unit price is the same as their multipack price as well. You can get the same value by mixing and matching to find your favorite flavor as you would buying a box of one.

Anyone who frequently is rushing around and looking for an affordable way to feel energetic and satisfied during the day will appreciate the price of the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar. These are substantial enough to just throw in a bag and go, so if you buy multiples you can keep them on you without fear of crumbling the bar. The Gatorade Whey Protein Bar is not more affordable than other options but it won’t break the bank either.

Bottom Line

This Gatorade Whey Protein Bar is supercharged in carbohydrates and protein. It is high in sugar and saturated fats, so it needs to be supplementing a well-balanced diet. If you are extremely active, the Gatorade Whey Protein Bar can give you the replenishment you need before or after a workout. Their sweet flavors are filling and crunchy, with the sugar and fat lending to their indulgent taste.