phd smart bars review

PhD Smart Bar Review: Legit Protein Bar For 2022?

When Phd Nutrition announced its new bar Smart Bar, the company proclaimed it to be extremely tasty and nutritional. This protein-based snack was long overdue especially for those who were either training or just looking to eat healthy snacks with high protein content and minimal sugar.

PhD Smart bar is one of the many protein bars available on the market, so it’s always best to do your research to know which bar suits your dietary requirements and personal taste the best.

Let’s face it, these bars are not cheap so it’s imperative to get a good insightful review, that’s why we’re here we this phd smart bar review.

Table of Contents

What Is PhD Smart Bar?

PhD Smart bar is a super delicious high protein bar and low sugar snack which serves two major purposes. One, it’s designed to supply your body with the much-required protein content. This PhD Smart bar really ensures to offer you quality protein. Two, a special focus is given to make the sugar content as low as possible.

PhD Smart bar is perfectly suitable for both men and women who are seeking a tasty, quality protein, low sugar snack. The best part is that this product will allow you to fulfill your craving for confectionary while allowing you to lead a healthier lifestyle.

This low sugar snack has a super-soft protein center that is coated in gooey caramel layer for an utterly delicious taste. In addition, it even offers a subtle crunch texture that you will experience as soon as you take a bite of it.

Most of the protein packs currently available in the market usually offer a bland taste and texture. In contrast, PhD Smart bar seems to be an exception because it really offers a delicious taste. What’s more, it’s available in various flavor options.

For instance, if you love the taste of peanut butter, then PhD Smart Bar in Choc Peanut Butter will be suitable for you. Whoever loves the classic chocolate flavor and taste, can try this Smart bar in dark chocolate flavor. The blend of gooey caramel along with cocoa powder will be ready to elevate the taste-buds of chocolate lovers. Another interesting flavor is Cookies, Cream flavor and Dark Choc Raspberry which is an absolute delicacy for Raspberry fans.

Reveal more details about the main flavors of PhD Smart Bar in the sections below.

PhD Smart Protein Key Features

20g Protein

0.6g Impact carbs

Great taste and many amazing flavours

PhD Smart Bar – Key Features Explained in Details

I) high protein:.

This product features a super soft protein center. Are you now interested to know what is the protein source?

Well, both collagen hydrolysate and soya protein as the sources of protein for PhD Smart Bar. Apart from these two ingredients, milk protein is one of the primary sources. Precisely, milk protein is the major source of protein for this high protein low sugar snack.

Collagen is the second primary source and Soya protein is the third source of protein for it.

ii) Low Sugar:

This low sugar protein blend has minimal sugar content. That’s why it would be a perfect addition to your daily diet.

iii) Suitable for Different Recipes:

PhD Smart bar can be easily blended with various types of recipes, including smoothies to making a healthy drink and much more.

With the amazing taste of cocoa powder, cocoa butter, condensed milk, dark chocolate, white chocolate, PhD Smart Protein crispies provide you enough flexibility to play around with your favorite recipe.

You can even eat these high protein low sugar delicacies on their own. Just grab one of these protein crispies and give it a bite! Your appetite will be immediately served, and your tastebuds will be immediately enriched!

For the best experience, you should go for your most favorite flavors. There are so many options available including barley malt extract, birthday cake, natural vanilla flavour, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and more.

When Should You Take It?

The whole point of a protein pack is for it to be taken as a healthy snack or before or after a workout. The PhD Smart bar is not a meal replacement but should be used as a high protein snack whenever it’s required, either mid morning or mid afternoon.

The benefit of the 20g protein and low carb and sugar content is that it will help fill you up and prevent any energy crash, as your sugar level won’t be caused to spike. The problem with sugary snacks is they give you short term energy but make you crash, leaving you craving for more snacks. The PhD Smart protein is an intelligent way to snack!

Taste & Texture

One of the historical problems with protein-based bars and one of the stigmas attached to them is that they don’t taste great, they’re heavy and hard to chew.

PhD Smart bars should impress you because they look and taste very much like your typical chocolate bar, this modern day protein bar is designed to be taken as a healthy snack throughout the day or as a pre/post workout bar.

The PhD Smart protein has three layers, a rich chocolate coating, cocoa crispies and a caramel layer. When you bite into the bar you will notice the crispy texture, and the lightness which is quite rare for a protein blend bar.

The Smart bar we sampled was chocolate peanut butter flavour which tastes fantastic and gives you the feeling that you’re actually eating a pretty naughty chocolate bar.

PhD Smart Bar Interesting Flavor Options

Birthday cake (concentrated strawberry flavor with a satisfying crunch texture).

PHD have set a high bar for their newest release, in celebration of their second birthday they released this new yummy protein bar.

Birthday Cake has proved a difficult enemy to conquer, with most bars not getting it quite right. This was truly a game changer for the Phd smart bars.

Salted Fudge Brownie (offers a true confectionary bar taste)

We absolutely cherish an unusual unique flavor! Besides, sea salt brownies are arguably the classiest type of brownie.

The center is slightly softer than other flavors but milky and sweet, similar to the Choc Peanut Butter flavor. As usual, the crispies add the crunch and the thick milk chocolate coating is creamy and cracks when you take a bite.

White Choc Blondie (tastes like milk powder and it’s great for white chocolate lovers)

This is similar to a white chocolate bar with the spice of a blondie; well, an unusual flavor you can try out.

Chocolate Brownie (an amazing condensed milk cocoa butter flavor)

Dark choc raspberry (a perfect raspberry flavoured caramel layer), mississippi tough mudder pie (lovely malty flavour with a bobbly texture), choc peanut butter (peanut buttery flavor).

This has a nice whiff of peanut butter.

Cookies & Cream (features a natural bourbon vanilla flavour)

The cream element comes from the core. It has a sweet milky flavor.

The caramel layer makes it even better, and the crispies are there for the crunch.

Caramel Crunch (plain caramel flavor with a satisfying crunch texture)

Pros and cons of phd smart bar.

It’s a high protein low sugar bar.

It’s available with various interesting flavor options.

It’s one of the best protein bars. Plus, it’s a perfect low sugar bar.

These protein blend bars are affordable, convenient, and versatile.

Suitable for both men and women.

Drawbacks (if any)

It depends on what you’re looking for in a protein pack. If you want something that tastes great, is light, and easy to eat then the PhD Smart Bar should satisfy you.

However, I used this bar as a mid-afternoon snack with the intention of tying me over in between my lunch and my workout. This was the first time I used the Smart bar and saw the chocolate peanut butter flavor and attractive picture on the wrapper – it gave the impression of a chunky protein pack that should fill me up nicely.

My only disappointment was that it left me wanting a little, while it tastes great and had great texture, the PhD Smart protein gave me the feeling that I needed more – I probably could have had two of them.

The Final Verdict

Overall, the PhD Smart Bar is probably one of the best tasting and delicious high protein pack products on the market and is packed full of protein with low sugar content.

If you’re after a bar that tastes good and isn’t going to make you pack on the pounds, as well as increasing your protein then the PhD Smart protein is a great choice.

Smart Bar Review: PhD has a hit protein bar on its hands

When PhD Nutrition first announced its high protein, low sugar bar the Smart Bar, like most supplement companies it said it was incredibly delicious. The flavors certainly sounded like the brand was telling the truth, so we recently picked up a handful for an honest PhD Smart Bar review.

Over all the years we’ve followed the UK brand PhD Nutrition, we’ve never seen anything overly game changing from it in our opinion. With that in mind, we didn’t purchase the Smart Bar thinking it was going to be anything amazing. Much to our surprise, the product is one of the best tasting protein bars out there right now, so good that we wouldn’t disagree if someone said it was indeed the best.

Mild Caramel Crunch

The first flavor we have for our PhD Smart Bar review is Caramel Crunch, and while it is our least favorite of the three we brought. There are only a couple of chocolate caramel protein bars on the market we’d say are better. The caramel in this one isn’t overly sweet; it’s more of a smooth taste that works in with everything else the bar has going on.

The chocolate coating is the flavor that dominates the Caramel Crunch, although as you start chewing the gooey caramel underneath does add in its two cents. When they then mix with the doughy, somewhat flavorless center, you’re left with a delicious chocolate caramel experience, with the crunchy bits in the gooey caramel layer giving you that title crunch for a good few seconds.

Chocolate overload

Next on the list is Chocolate Brownie, a flavor we would have thought would’ve been the best of the Smart Bar menu. This one is definitely impressive; however, it is a lot like the Caramel Crunch. The sweet chocolate coating comes first, but instead of getting any other flavors mixed in with it, the chocolate taste just gets richer as you bite in and chew the bar.

Eventually, you get a truly dark, double chocolate like taste in your mouth, that’s so sweet and heavy that you forget there is also some crunch to it. The Chocolate Brownie Smart Bar is a must for chocolate lovers, especially those that often have a craving for the real thing.

PhD’s masterpiece

The third and final flavor in our PhD Smart Bar review is Dark Choc Raspberry, which we have to say is the brand’s masterpiece. This flavor absolutely blew us away. The solid chocolate layer is still just as sweet as the others, although in this one it is topped by a gooey, seemingly pure sugar, raspberry syrup. The amazingly sweet fruity addition mixes with the chocolate and creates what we can only describe as unforgettable, candy bar-like experience.

Best bar of 2016

The PhD Smart Bar is without a doubt, one of the biggest surprises we’ve had when it comes to protein bars in a very long time. Its chocolate outer is just as good as Grenade’s Carb Killa, and the gooey second layer is where the product delivers that one, two punch. The doughy middle is also nice, but only in the sense that it adds a thickness and smooth texture to all the flavor.

In our opinion, so far the Smart Bar is the best protein bar released in 2016. For a solid 20g of protein, around half a gram of sugar, and between 237 to 238 calories, the high protein snack is impressive, to say the least. Its nutrition is very similar to the delicious ProSupps MyBar, with its Dark Choc Raspberry being better than most, if not all of Grenade’s Carb Killas.

Collagen protein

While the PhD Smart Bar is incredibly delicious, it is worth pointing out that it does use collagen hydrolysate and soy protein as sources of protein, however, neither is its primary source. Milk Protein is where the bar gets most of its protein from, with collagen being its second highest, and soy protein third.

For those unfamiliar with collagen, it’s not preferred in supplements mainly because it isn’t as beneficial as the likes of milk and whey protein. With that said, if you’re more concerned about macros and calories, and are happy to go without the benefits of more BCAAs and such from a protein bar, go ahead and give the Smart Bar a try. It is also worth purchasing as a treat for dieters, as it is far better than your typical cheat meal or snack.

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PhD Smart Bar Review: Superb taste and excellent value

When it comes to protein bars, the choice is huge and all big sports supplement brands have their own versions. The claims are similar from all – great taste and macros in every bar. Unfortunately, many of them don’t stand up to their claims and lack in one area or another.

It often seems that when we find a protein bar with a solid nutritional value, the taste is a letdown. But all that looks to be over with Smart Bars from PhD. Since discovering these protein bars several months ago, they are now our favourite choice for many reasons including great taste, price and nutritional value. Below you can find our PhD smart Bar review.

Many gym-goers wonder why we like to use protein bars over a whey protein shake. Protein bars provide a quick and convenient way to add protein and carbs into your diet. Unlike shakes, they can easily be thrown into a bag and consumed any time of the day without any preparation.

We often find ourselves consuming a protein bar at some point during the morning to easily boost protein intake.

• 20g Protein per 64g bar
• 9 Great flavours

About PhD Nutrition

Over the last few years, we have become increasing big fans of the full range of products from PhD Nutrition. The brand was launched in 2006 with the mission to change the sports nutrition landscape. Over the last 14 years, this UK based brand has seen massive growth. PhD products are now sold in over 45 countries and recognised as a global sports nutrition brand.

To us, PhD is a premium supplement brand, and with that comes the expectation of quality. Luckily, quality is one of the key drivers behind creating each product. The full range includes whey protein, pre-workout, BCAAs and more. One of the most popular is the brand’s diet whey protein.

This is widely recognised as one of the original and best diet whey formulations. PhD is here for the everyday gym user to help get the most out of every workout and see the results you deserve. The full range of products can be brought directly from the PhD website. They are also widely available from online sports nutrition retailers.

For us, taste and flavours are the most important element in choosing our next protein bar. If we were just looking for nutritional value alone, we would stick with a protein shake. So often, protein bars don’t live up to their claims of great taste. But PhD smart bars really do, offering superb taste across a full range of flavours.

The rounded shape resembles more of a chocolate bar as opposed to a protein bar . We love this as it stops the bar feeling as dense and heavy as some other protein bars. The overall makeup of each bar is the same. The centre is thick and smooth, making it very chewy when consumed.

Following that is a softer layer containing different flavours such as the birthday cake flavouring or caramel. On most bars, the outside contains a crunchy layer which adds to the texture and improves the experience.

A good selection of 9 flavours is available to choose from including cookies and cream, caramel crunch and salted fudge brownie. Our favourite flavours are birthday cake and white chocolate blondie. We don’t see many protein bars come in a white chocolate flavour, and PhD does a great job of it.

For those that cannot decide, a variety box is available, providing the ability to try multiple flavours at the same time. The only drawback we can think of is that we wouldn’t mind them being slightly larger, but that’s just because we enjoy them so much. 

Across the full range of flavours, the macros are pretty good. The protein content is approximately 20g per 64g bar. Some flavours have a slightly higher protein content, for example, the birthday cake flavour contains 21g. This is similar to the amount of protein found in a whey protein shake.

The total calories are average for a protein bar, containing approximately 240 kcal in each bar. Again there is some variation between flavours. Caramel crunch contains 238 calories, while salted fudge brownie contains 232. 

The carbohydrate content is also relatively low with around 23g in each bar. In comparison, Grenade Carb Killa bars contain 20g, but the overall volume of the bar is slightly less at 60g. 11g of fat can be found inside of each bar, with 7g of which being saturates. PhD smart bars are also halal and palm oil-free. The overall nutritional value is impressive, with a solid protein serving and relatively low carbs and fat.

The price can be a mixed bag when it comes to PhD Smart Bars. From the PhD website, the RRP is £29.99 for a box of 12. This is £2.50 per bar. At this price, we find them expensive and not sustainable to be consumed daily.

The good news is that PhD products are widely available from a huge number of sports nutrition retailers, both online and offline. This results in them usually costing much less, with a similar price across most retailers.

At the time of writing, the average price is around £20 for a box of 12. At some retailers, they are available for less including both Discount Supplements and Amazon. We have consistently found Amazon to have Smart Bars available at the lowest price.

Furthermore, the subscribe and save option reduces the cost further and adds the convenience of regularly scheduled deliveries. At £20 or less for 12, we find PhD Smart Bars to be very good value. Yes, there may be cheaper options available, but not with this combination of great taste and macros. In comparison to the popular Grenade Carb Killa bars, the price is very similar, usually slightly less.

For those not sure which flavour to go with, the variety box makes a great start. Included is a mix of all the flavours for you to try yourself before committing to a full box of a single flavour. 

Further thoughts

A protein bar such as the PhD Smart Bar is ideal for those looking for a mid-morning snack that is high in protein and convenient. But we wouldn’t recommend one for after a workout. For this, there are better sources of protein available in the form of whey protein shakes. While less convenient, a shake can provide better macros and be more friendly towards a tight budget.

For those fussy on the type of protein they consume, this protein bar contains mainly milk protein, with some soy and collagen proteins. These are often not favoured in protein supplements. 

Overall, as you can see in this PhD Smart Bar review, we are massively impressed. Protein bars have many benefits . In a market with a lot of big claims without the product to back them up, these do the opposite. The PhD brand is a UK based supplement manufacturer which now produces a huge range of protein supplements. The innovation from all their products including Smart Bars is super exciting. 

The overall taste of every PhD Smart Bar is impressive and really makes them stand out from all of the competition. There are 9 different great tasting flavours to choose from.  Our favourite is the white choc blondie which tastes more like a chocolate bar than a protein bar. 

The shape in these bars is unique in that it stops them feeling heavy and thick, where many other protein bars go wrong. While the RRP price is expensive, they are available from many retailers online for roughly £20. The best value is on Amazon which often has them available for less.  

Without a doubt, we will be buying these protein bars again. 

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. This helps fund the resources to run this website. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Tales From The Minority

Review: phd smart bar.

Another day, another protein bar – it’s like there’s a never-ending supply of these things (and would be, if I tested every flavour). Part of the problem is – I think – the huge slippage of terminology amongst different makers; sometimes a protein bar has lower protein than an energy bar and so on. Ah, ignore the ramble; I’m just looking at the ‘Smart’ name in this product. Plus, I’m rather rubbish at opening paragraphs for posts.

Well, what do I see in front of me? A relatively long, thin bar; this being some ~25% longer than most other protein bars. The design pretty similar to the rest of the PhD range; a bit austere, vaguely scientific feel about it. Has a circle of ‘flowing chocolate’ on the front where the flavour is announced; this reminds me strongly of the design on the MaxiMuscle bars to the point I’m sure it’s not coincidence (and no, they are not both made by the same maker).

Normal claims about protein and the low sugars (hmm, maltitol again?). New thing is ‘impact carbs’, which from a quick internet search is just another name for ‘high glycaemic index’ substances; basically easily digestible sugars which ‘impact’ your body quickly. Also has no palm oil, which I’m currently unsure whether this is a bad, good or indifferent thing.

The package opens with a bit of difficulty, though I win in the end. First scent; milk chocolate and caramel. Looks on the other side rather like the SIS bar I had yesterday ; something not surprising due to the fact they’re made by the same company. Breaks okay; I can see the core of caramel, the ‘coating’ of the (I assume) protein clusters and then finally the layer of chocolate. Credit where it’s due; this product is pretty stable. Bites well, not too hard to chew. However, a few flakes do break off while eating. Tastes… decently nice. My taste-buds are now sharp enough to provisionally ID the sweetner as sorbitol, rather than maltitol (correct). A bit chemically, yes; but not overly so.

Nutritionally, it’s a ‘pure protein bar’; but a pretty poor one; no fibre, too much salt and saturated fat. Simply put, the only advantage here is that it’s low on the sugars but does not use maltitol. A fact which I personally are not hugely worried about here; suspecting that much of the reasons folks go for ‘low sugar’ is the misplaced belief that this also means ‘low calorie’.

So, in conclusion; this bar is only worth buying if the two options is this or something Obviously Crap. Or if you really like the taste. Or get a load really cheap…

Nutritionals:

Full Name: PhD Smart Bar

RRP: £2.00 (64g)

Available At: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Boots, Superdrug, Holland & Barrett.

Ultimate Owner: Science in Sport Plc.

Date of Testing: 12 th October 2020

Version Tested: Chocolate Caramel

As everything on this blog, merely my own thoughts and opinions. I’ve not received anything for this review. Facts correct at date of testing. Part of my Product Reviews series.

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Review: PHD Smart Bars

In a market now saturated with great-tasting protein bars which can hardly be distinguished from actual chocolate bars, perhaps it’s to be expected that nutritional values might slip. Is it too much to ask that a protein bar tastes good and does good?

Enter UK brand PHD’s Smart Bar range. Having long associated PHD with their old (before the re-vamp) ‘Diet Whey’ bars – all as bland, powdery and stiff as the last – I was reluctant to believe their claims about this new ‘delicious’ range. But, credit where credit is due, someone at PHD deserves a raise because these bars really are impressive.

The range boasts a minimum of 20g protein, all are low in sugar (under 2g) and all come palm oil free. Calories range from 237-241, and carbs around 22-24g. The only downside perhaps is the use of collagen and soy proteins, but it’s worth noting that milk is still the primary protein source.

At time of writing Smart Bars are available in eight flavours, and you’re about to hear my thoughts on all of them…

• Chocolate Brownie
• Cookies & Cream
• Caramel Crunch
• Choc Peanut Butter
• Dark Choc Raspberry
• Salted Fudge Brownie
• White Choc Blondie
• Birthday Cake

Chocolate Brownie 7/10

Among the most basic protein bar flavours, you really cannot go wrong with ‘Chocolate Brownie’, however you want to spin it.

The Smart Bar range all share the same basic layout – a chewy core, gooey caramel layer and plenty of crispies, all coated in a thick layer of chocolate.

The centre reminds of slightly hard nougat, with a chew that might leave some complaining of jaw ache. There’s enough caramel to lend a sticky feel to the bar, and the crispies work well here to give a satisfying crunch. The chocolate coating is the real highlight here – it’s thick, creamy and perfectly sweet. Overall, PHD have nailed the blend of textures here – chewy, gooey, crunchy and creamy.

The core has a light cocoa flavour, enhanced by all the other chocolate-y elements. Although the flavour is delicate when you first take a bite, it really intensifies as you chew (presumably as the chocolate layer melts) and you’re left with a deeper, darker chocolate taste.

If you’re a chocolate lover and you’re getting bored of the classic barely-there chocolate flavour of other bars, then this is one for you. I’ve given it a 7 because it’s not their best (or most interesting) flavour, but it is good and it’s certainly up there with other brands’ classics.

Caramel Crunch 5/10

After being impressed by the Chocolate Brownie flavour, I have to say I was a little underwhelmed by the ‘Caramel Crunch’.

The core has almost no flavour at all. Texture-wise it’s the same as the Chocolate Brownie, only perhaps slightly doughier. The caramel layer is nice and gooey, complimenting the bite of the core and lending that much-needed caramel taste, and the crispies do put the ‘crunch’ in ‘Caramel Crunch’.

To their credit, PHD have avoided falling into the trap of making this bar overly sweet. The dark chocolate layer has the perfect bitterness, and cracks satisfyingly when you take a bite. I suppose the mild core works to make it less sweet too, but blandness shouldn’t be the way to do this.

I wish they’d packed more caramel flavour into the core, and perhaps a hint of salt would have made the whole thing more interesting. Don’t get me wrong it’s not bad, it’s just nothing to write home about. A subtle caramel flavour means this isn’t one for hard-core caramel fans – if you need a caramel fix there are other options out there (see here , for example).

Cookies & Cream 6/10

I’ll roast my right foot if you can give me a brand that doesn’t boast a cookies & cream flavour, and I’ll happily eat said foot if that brand actually delivers on both elements.

The ‘cream’ element comes from the core. It has a sweet, milky sort of flavour which is in danger of being overall tasteless. The caramel layer rescues it somewhat, and the crispies are there for the crunch, but it is a little bland nevertheless.

I guess the ‘cookie’ element comes from the crispies and the thick milk chocolate coating, which is lovely and creamy, but it’s not exactly obvious.

Of course it’s not wholly unimpressive – it still tastes good and the mixing of textures is on point, but it seems PHD have fallen prey to a classic cookies & cream cock-up. There’s just undeniably more cream than cookie here, if there’s any cookie at all.

Choc Peanut Butter 5/10

Again, show me a brand that hasn’t exploited the lure of peanut butter in one way or another. It’s an absolute classic.

Looking back, I should have spotted a red flag when I opened the bar, expecting to get a nice whiff of peanut butter, only to find that it smelt faintly of cocoa and not much else.

I did notice there was more caramel than usual here, obvious since it had exploded from one end of the bar, bonding it to the wrapper.

That same chewy core, gooey caramel, crispies and thick chocolate coating that cracks when you take a bite…but no peanut butter. Seriously, the flavour was almost non-existent. It’s the same problem as the Caramel Crunch – there’s just no flavour. If I really concentrated I got a hint of PB but, if I’m honest, I really wasn’t looking for a mindful snack.

It’s not bad. Like the rest of the range, the four layers work really well together and the bar is obviously good quality, but if you promise peanut butter then please kindly follow through.

It’s a shame really. If PHD had packed the core with more of a PB flavour and replaced the crispies with peanut pieces as other brands have been known to do (see here , and here ) then this could have been a really banging bar. But, alas, t’was not so.

Dark Choc Raspberry – 10/10

I’ve said it once but I’ll say it again – I hate fruit and chocolate. Chocolate coated strawberries are the devil’s food, get your cherries OUT of my brownie, and there’s a special place reserved in hell for all those who enjoy black forest gateau.

BUT, there are exceptions. And this is one.

A chewy chocolate core coated in raspberry caramel, sprinkled with crispies and covered in a thick layer of rich dark chocolate. It’s perfect.

Once again the chew from the core nicely contrasts the gooey caramel and creamy chocolate coating, and the crispies add a wonderful crunch. The dark chocolate is slightly bitter, working beautifully with the zingy sweetness of the raspberry layer, and I love how it cracks when you take a bite.

Honestly it’s up there on par with Grenade’s recent offering of the same flavour. Amazing.

Salted Fudge Brownie 10/10

We love an unusual flavour! Plus, sea salt brownies are arguably the classiest type of brownie, so I went in expecting big things.

Reader, I was not disappointed. The centre is slightly softer than other flavours but milky and sweet, similar to the Choc Peanut Butter flavour (I’m not mad – there’s no peanut butter). As usual, the crispies add the crunch and the thick milk chocolate coating is creamy and cracks when you take a bite.

Whilst the rest of the bar is pretty great, hands down the star of the show is the salted fudge layer. It’s sticky and gooey like the caramel in the other bars but it has the perfect hint of salt, making the whole bar really taste like salted fudge. It’s truly gorgeous.

PHD have nailed the flavour here. The blend of salty and sweet is sophisticated and luxurious, the chocolate is excellent quality, and the softer centre makes the blend of textures even better than before.

This is a really solid choice for those who love chocolate but, like most of us, are sick of your bog-standard ‘chocolate brownie’ flavour.

White Choc Blondie 10/10

Whilst I know I’m an edge-piece person, for me it’s a tough choice between a brownie and a blondie. Call me a cynic, but as it’s not a flavour that you often come across in a protein bar, I did have my suspicions the ‘Blondie’ element was a bit of a sales gimmick…

…and I was right. I hate to be a know-it-all ( read: I love it when I’m right ), but this is just a white chocolate bar, very similar in fact to Grenade’s White Chocolate Cookie .

The core is milky sweet, like that of the Cookies & Cream flavour, with a hint of vanilla and much softer than previous bars. Whilst older flavours give your jaw more of a work-out, the newer ones are more nougat-y in texture and I definitely prefer it.

There’s plenty of caramel which makes the bar feel wonderfully sticky, and the cocoa crispies as usual add a nice crunch. With the cocoa crispies, I can see another dimension where this was marketed as the ‘Cookies & Cream’ flavour and, to be honest, it would be a better attempt than the current offering.

The white chocolate coating is the star of the show here. It’s thick, sweet and creamy, adding a really luxurious feel to this flavour.

Even though I feel misled by the promise of a blondie, I’m more than satisfied with this from PHD. Besides, I don’t know how they’d even deliver on the blondie flavour…

It’s a fantastic bar – one of my favourites ever.

Birthday Cake 8/10

So I’ve been quite very generous with the 10/10s so far, but the newer flavours have really smashed it. PHD have set a high bar for their newest release, in celebration of their second birthday – is this bar worth celebrating?

Birthday Cake has proved a difficult enemy to conquer, with most bars not getting it quite right – it’s too sweet, it’s just your average white chocolate bar with a few sprinkles chucked on or the ‘jam’ flavour just isn’t there.

PHD have brought the party with some extra multicoloured hundreds and thousands sprinkled on top, but in my opinion sprinkles are more of an annoyance than a feature. They might add some sense of texture, but they don’t add flavour and they have a knack of going everywhere .

The bar’s core is soft, chewy and lightly flavoured with vanilla. The raspberry caramel is similar to the Dark Choc Raspberry flavour – sweet but perfectly zingy. The cocoa crispies add crunch but little to no flavour, and the white chocolate coating is, as we’ve come to expect, thick and luxuriously creamy.

The raspberry flavour is really nice here, and the slight tang works well with the sweetness of the white chocolate. It’s not exactly birthday cake, but with this flavour I don’t know what I expect – it is a protein bar after all.

I think I prefer Grenade’s offering , but this one definitely isn’t bad if you’re a birthday cake fiend.

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PhD Smart Bar High Protein Bars - Pick Any 10 - Full Size 20g Protein... › Customer reviews

Customer reviews.

PhD Smart Bar High Protein Bars - Pick Any 10 - Full Size 20g Protein Bars

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• Best Protein Bars 2021
• Vegan Protein Bar Reviews
• Barebells Protein Bars
• Battle Snacks
• Grenade Protein Bars
• Fulfil Protein Bars
• Maximuscle Protein Snacks
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• Peanut Butter Protein Bars
• Best Protein Bar Selection Boxes 2021
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• Gluten Free
• Keto Protein Bars
• Low Calorie Protein Bars
• Low Carb Protein Bars
• Low Sugar Protein Bars

PHD Smart Bars

About phd protein bars.

Probably the most synonymous protein bar in the game right now. it’s honestly one of the most convenient, tasty and high-quality protein snacks out there.

Like most protein bars – it all gets a bit tough towards the end – but this is still highly reviewed by PBR

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Our Individual PHD Smart Bar Reviews

What are the best protein bars 2021? {20 Brand vs Battle}

The 20 best protein bars to try in 2021.

Shopping for protein bars can be overwhelming. There are so many bars from different brands, with different flavours, protein content and ingredients.

If we had been making this list a few years ago, it would basically just read "Quest Bar" – the world's first protein bar to include prebiotic fibres and high-quality protein in a genuine low carb bar.

Shopping for protein bars can be overwhelming.

There are so many bars from different brands, flavours, protein content and ingredients. If we had been making this list a few years ago, it would basically just include the Quest Bar – the first protein bar to include prebiotic fibres and high-quality protein in a genuine low carb bar. But now that their secret is out, other companies are beginning to mimic this formula. This means more options for you, but also more confusion trying to determine which is the best protein bar. Food science has progressed to the point that most proteins bars will provide the nutritional benefits for which you are seeking, but depending on what you are looking for, there are still some options that are better than others.

We’ve done the research, and we think these are the best protein bars you absolutely need to try in 2021.

1. Grenade Carb Killa Protein Bar (Best Protein Bar Overall)

2. Mars Protein Bar

3. Optimum Protein Bars

4. Mars Snickers Protein Bar

5. Quest Protein Bar (Best High Fibre Bar)

6. Quest Hero Protein Bar

7. Battle Oats Battle Bites

9. Oh Yeah! One Bar Protein Bar

10. No Cow No Cow Protein Bar (Best for Vegans) 

11. Optimum Nutrition Whipped Bites

Each pack is less than 250kcal with a great 20g protein from milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate and milk protein concentrates – the perfect blend of protein sources to keep you fuller for longer!   

12. Redcon1 MRE Bar (Best for Meal Replacement)

13. RX Bar (Best Wholefood Bar)

14. Scitec Nutrition Proteinissimo

15. Predator Nutrition Predator Brownie Bar (Great for a healthier treat)

16. Vega Vega Protein Bar

17. PhD Nutrition Smart Bar

18. Optimum Nutrition Cake Bites

19. Barebell Protein Bars

20. Redcon1 B.A.R (Great for Breakfast)

Best protein bar on the market.

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PhD Smart Bar – Healthy Low Sugar High Protein Snacks?

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts go through great lengths to make sure their bodies are strong and healthy. And one of the key compounds needed for them to achieve these goals is protein. Protein is a building block for muscle, which makes it vital for muscle growth and maintenance. Unfortunately, most protein options on the market are chalky, gritty shakes that get old very fast.

PhD Smart Bar is changing how people consume protein, giving them quality, amazing tasting protein options in the form of several delicious protein bars . Containing 20 grams of protein in each bar, and only two grams of sugar, PhD Smart Bar is able to give users the protein they need, without damaging amounts of sugar.

What are PhD Smart Bars?

PhD Smart Bars are the newest product to be released by PhD Nutrition, a supplement company that has long been at the forefront of the industry. With a wide range of flavors, these bars provide users with an alternative protein source , making it easier for them to consume the amounts they need on a daily basis. With PhD Smart Bar, those who struggle with shakes and sugar-filled bars will finally have a protein solution that works for them.

PhD Nutrition had several goals in mind when it started formulating the Smart Bar. The first was quite obvious for the company that had always kept natural ingredients as the foundation for all of its products.

The Smart Bar could not contain any artificial sweeteners. One of the biggest problems with protein options on the market now, whether bar or shake, is that they are packed with sugar, counteracting any health effect the protein would have on the body.

Another goal PhD Nutrition had when crafting its protein bars was that they had to use the highest quality protein. As mentioned above, protein is the building block for muscle , so a healthy protein source is critical for building lean muscle mass. PhD Smart Bar uses only the highest quality protein in order to give users the support they need to grow and maintain their muscles.

Benefits of PhD Smart Bar

As mentioned above, PhD Nutrition was very strict about the ingredients it included in its protein bars. One of the most profound benefits of PhD Smart Bars is that they are made without many of the dangerous and ineffective ingredients used in so many other protein products.

Most nutrition bars have high levels of carbohydrates, sugar, gelatins, and even synthetic preservatives. PhD Nutrition wanted to do better for its customers, opting instead to use no artificial sweeteners, natural carbohydrates, and a superior protein source . As a result to this commitment to better ingredients, PhD Smart Bar has been able to give its customers results without compromising their overall wellbeing.

Another benefit of PhD Smart Bars is that they work to provide comprehensive support for users. Of course, the bars provide users with a boost of protein, allowing them to push through intense workouts and achieve their goals. However, PhD Smart Bars contains additional ingredients, to improve the absorption of this protein and provide other benefits.

For example, PhD Smart Bars are sweetened with a natural fruit juice , which also contains fiber, vital for the digestion of protein. The bar also uses a very specific carbohydrate, which has a glycemic rating of 23, making PhD Smart Bars perfect for those trying to watch their glucose levels.

PhD Smart Bars are also a rich source of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). While these amino acids offer many health benefits, the most important is that they aid in the recovery of muscles after grueling workouts.

Because strength and muscle mass can only be accomplished if the muscles are consistently pushed to their limits, it’s vital for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to recover quickly, allowing them to get back to the gym so they can continue to build muscle.

Purchasing PhD Smart Bars

PhD Smart Bar is available for purchase on the PhD website ( www.PhD-Supplements.com ). A box of 12 bars currently costs £29.88 and comes in the following flavors:

• Cookies and Cream
• Chocolate Peanut Butter
• Chocolate Brownie
• Caramel Crunch
• Dark Chocolate Raspberry

Because the Smart Bar is the latest product released by the company, the stock is limited while PhD works to keep up with demands.

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Reviews 4.6.

12,668 total

Most relevant

Always come back to PHD

Tried several brands but PHD remain the best. Dissolves really well and tastes great. Super quick delivery too.

Date of experience : 18 July 2024

Ordering process was smooth and…

Ordering process was smooth and delivery was super fast, I haven’t had these smart bars for some time but the new flavours and textures were great, I will be reordering for sure

Date of experience : 26 July 2024

Super easy website, good offers

Super easy website, good offers, pleased with the very discounted water bottle with the purchase of protein powder.

Date of experience : 23 July 2024

Easy ordering and quick delivery

Ordering from PhD was very easy and the delivery was really very fast indeed. Excellent service.

The ability to change your subscription…

The ability to change your subscription and delivery date at short notice is a benefit that I really appreciate. Huge choice of products and haven’t had a bad one yet.

Date of experience : 19 July 2024

Bars are awful

Bars are awful, I used to buy them all the time but won’t be purchasing again as taste has changed and not nice to eat I’m guessing recipe has changed!

Reply from PhD Nutrition

Hello! Thank you for getting in touch. We are sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with our product. We understand that everyone has a different taste for things, but we are sorry to hear this. A member of our team will be in touch shortly to follow this up for you! Kind regards, Team PhD

Disappointed that chocolate peanut has…

Disappointed that chocolate peanut has been out of stock for a while. But quick delivery and good communication

Date of experience : 21 July 2024

Hello, Thank you for getting in touch. A member of our team will be in touch shortly to follow this up for you! Kind regards

I trust PhD

Been using PhD for years. At times I’d try other brands when it was hard to find PhD in Dubai, but eventually I gave up on trying anything else (luckily there are now services available for orders to the UAE from any part of the world). I trust the quality of PhD. I normally order proteins, BCAA, intra BCAA, lean degree and pre-workouts. All are great. I also tried Mind capsules and they did work for me. Customer service team (recent chat with Johnathan specifically) is always super helpful

Date of experience : 01 July 2024

Subscription works great & you can…

Subscription works great & you can alter product quantities & timescales anytime you want, I currently get whey protein, pre workout & creatine. I’ve tried several brands of protein powder & PHD are the best by far.

Date of experience : 19 June 2024

Thank you phd great customer services

Thank you phd great customer services Beth replied straight away and resolved my issues

Date of experience : 17 July 2024

Always a great experience with PhD can…

Always a great experience with PhD can never fault them. Great products and delivery been using them for years! I recommend 💯

Date of experience : 04 July 2024

I buy synergy and you never have the…

I buy synergy and you never have the popular flavors in stock, you cancel my subscription without changing flovours. your the manufacturer?? stock and availability should not be an issue, you have been trading for a long enough time

Date of experience : 18 June 2024

Hello, Thank you for getting in touch. We are very sorry to hear that you experienced some issues with your order. A member of our team will be in touch shortly to follow this up for you! Kind regards Team PhD

my favourite protein bar ever

my favourite protein bar ever Chocolate fudge brownie is too good to not be bad for you!

Date of experience : 25 April 2024

Prompt service & good products

Customer services are prompt and approachable, especially Beth and Jonathan. From many fit products I have tried so far I strongly believe PhD is of high quality and safe, nonetheless you need to choose that one which best suit to your fitness goals and needs.

Date of experience : 21 May 2024

Good product and great PHD service. However. EVRI are a rubbish courier tho as they left my parcel on my doorstep at 1am when I was asleep. And it stayed on my porch for 6 hours until I left the house and found it laying there

Date of experience : 24 June 2024

Quality products, Good Price Point, Good CS

Quality products which are slightly more expensive than the likes of MyProtein etc. however the quality is worth it. The advanced mass blend is the only thing that helps me gain muscle and when I have issues with postage, CS are quick to fix things, namely Beth who resolved my query within an hour of letting them know my issue

Date of experience : 20 May 2024

Got diet protein powder on regular subscription which makes it cheaper and easier to order. Powder is good and easy to use. I even got a free metal bottle in my last order which was nice. Good experience

Date of experience : 09 June 2024

Outstanding customer service.

Outstanding customer service. There were a few problems with my delivery. The protein pouch was already open, and the BCAA was a dodgy batch. I emailed PHD and spoke to Johnathan, who was extremely helpful and courteous. He took the details of the order and re-sent my order. He was polite and professional and didn't hesitate in delivering customer service to a very high standard. Thank you

An appreciation for staff- Johnathan

I had an issue after using the pre workout burn and Johnathan got in touch with me to find a solution. He was very understanding, very fast in responding, respectful,kind and eventually offered me a solution. I can’t thank him enough xx

Date of experience : 30 May 2024

I’m a regular customer who has…

I’m a regular customer who has subscribed to the £10 per year free delivery I have found it to be an efficient and reliable service

Date of experience : 29 June 2024

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These are the best protein bars we’ve snacked on in 2024

Protein bars are the grab-and-go recovery option for anyone on the move. Here’s our pick of the best tried-and-tested options to fuel your fitness drive .

When hunger knocks post-workout, it’s easy to reach for handy snack bars. These can be loaded with unhealthy fats and sugars, however, which are often high in calories and lead to energy peaks and troughs. The best protein bars, on the other hand, pack in more of the good stuff – namely, protein.

Snacking on protein bars allows you to reach your daily protein goals and deliver a much-needed supply to damaged muscles. They also provide a simple on-the-go alternative to more cumbersome protein shakes or time-intensive meals. Plus, they usually taste pretty good, so it’s a win-win-win situation.

Why you can trust Men’s Fitness

We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best.  Find out more about how we test . Our team of reviewers includes experienced product testers, PTs, nutritionists and fitness writers – as well as the core MF team – who know exactly what sets the best products apart from the rest. This list of the best protein bars was compiled by Rob Hobson , registered nutritionist (AFN) and sports nutritionist (SENr).

What is the best protein bar?

There are plenty of protein bar brands out there now, most of which offer a high-quality protein dose around the magic 20g mark. But it takes great taste and texture to make the best protein bars too, together with low cost and other factors. Ultimately, I’d recommend using Grenade protein bars . The texture is chewy and the taste is sweet without being too sickly. There are also a load of flavours to choose from and, crucially, a solid 20g of good-quality protein per bar.

Other protein bar recommendations

1. Grenade Protein Bar

Men’s Fitness verdict

• Great tasting
• Excellent chewy texture
• Good amount of protein
• A bit sweet
• High in polyols

An obvious choice, perhaps, but the UK’s best-selling protein bars (previously called Carb Killas) is so for a reason. Loaded with 21g protein and just 1.4g sugar, it’s the best-tasting, least-sickly sweet bar I’ve tested.

The Salted Caramel flavor gets my vote, although there are no less than 14 others to choose from. The only downside is restricting yourself to one a day (but who are we to tell you how to live your life).

• Read our full Grenade Bar review

2. Healthspan Elite All Blacks HiLO Protein Bar

• Great taste
• Good amount of quality protein
• High in fiber
• Slightly bitter aftertaste
• Only available online
• Limited flavors

As you’d expect from any sports nutrition product endorsed by the All Blacks rugby team, the Healthspan Elite protein bars uses quality ingredients. Low in sugar and high in fiber, they also pack 20g of protein into each of their delicious flavors – black forest gateau, chocolate and salted caramel, and white chocolate. Plus, they’re Informed Sport approved, too, making them suitable for elite competition.

• Read our full Healthspan Elite All Blacks HiLO Protein Bar review

3. Kinetika Deluxe Protein Bar

• Pleasantly chewy texture
• Not too sweet
• Good chocolate flavor
• Not as high in protein as most bars

Kinetika makes its bars with quality batch-tested ingredients. So, it’s no surprise they get the thumbs-up from WADA and Informed Sport. It uses milk protein from grass-fed, hormone-free cow’s milk and its bars have the best taste and texture of any on test.

It’s a shame there’s only 14g of protein in every serving, but they are small 45g bars, so why not have one and a half, or even two at a time?

• Read our full Kinetika Deluxe Protein Bar review

4. Barebells Bar

• Nice rich flavor
• Lots of flavors to choose from
• Tastes less synthetic than most bars
• Quite sweet

One of the less synthetic-tasting protein snacks, Barebells bars combine a variety of rich flavors with simple, natural ingredients. Of the 11 different versions, four vegan or soft protein options don’t make the 20g mark, but the rest hit the spot and are tasty too.

They all have a pleasant, rich taste, are low in sugar and don’t have the claggy or powdery texture that many of the best protein bars do.

• Read our full Barebells Bar review

5. Fulfil Vitamin and Protein Bar

• Good flavor
• Fortified with vitamins and minerals
• Good amount of protein (20g)
• A bit too chewy
• Lacks texture
• Smaller-sized bar

Suitable for anyone with an eye for boosting more than just protein intake, Fulfil bars are fortified with vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and E, as well as folic acid.

They hit the 20g protein benchmark, have half the calories of most protein bars and are available in 11 mouth-watering flavours, which sounds like a win-win to us.

• Read our full Fulfil Vitamin and Protein Bar review

6. Vow Nutrition Protein Bar

• Pleasant chewy texture
• Low in sugar
• Relatively high in polyols
• Only 16g protein

If Team GB think Vow Nutrition Protein Bars are good enough for them, then we reckon they’re good enough for us too. Its three flavors – cookies and cream, peanut crunch and salted caramel – are all remarkably tasty, and the nutrition numbers look good too.

There’s 16g of protein in each bar and an microscopic 0.4g of sugar. These bars are Informed Sport approved so we know the pea protein isolate and soya protein isolate come from good quality sources.

• Read our full Vow Nutrition Protein Bar review

7. PhD Smart Bar

• Nice rich taste
• Slightly gritty texture
• Big 64g bar

With 20g plant-based protein per bar, you don’t need a doctorate to know PhD bars will meet your post-workout recovery needs. Some of the best protein bars on the market, there are eight rich flavors to choose from – though keep an eye on a calorie count that can reach 261kcal per 65g bar.

The texture might not be to everyone’s liking, but those recovery credentials make a bit of perseverance worth your while. Plus, they’re available in half-size and vegan versions.

• Read our full PhD Smart Bar review

8. USN Trust Crunch

• Good range of indulgent dessert flavors
• Decent protein dose
• Textura can be gritty
• One of the more expensive options

Sweet-toothed gym-goers will enjoy the dessert flavors (fudge brownie or raspberry cheesecake, anyone?), and 20g protein is optimal post-workout fuel.

It’s worth noting the sugar content: 2.5g sugar is slightly more than some of the other best protein bars in this list. However, 213 calories is about par.

How we test the best protein bars

Our expert nutritionist Rob Hobson conducted this test, reviewing the best protein bars on the market in 2024. “There are plenty of different protein bars on the market,” says Hobson, “and they differ greatly in terms of taste and texture. To narrow the field down – and to provide consistency of review – I only tested chocolate-flavored bars. I tested and judged the best protein bars on their taste, texture, and nutritional effectiveness. I also took other factors into account, including the cost and availability, but also the amount of polyols: a type of sweetener which can upset the gut in high amounts.”

What to look for when buying protein bars

Protein bar preference is very individual – especially when it comes down to taste and texture. However, when shopping for the best protein bars, it’s crucial to glance over their ingredient lists to check how much protein they pack. You should also be mindful of any additives, such as sugars, artificial flavors and fillers, which can limit the nutritional effectiveness – it’s all about balance. And of course, if you’re looking for the best vegan protein bars , be sure to check what protein source is included.

It’s also a good idea to set your budget and be aware of costs, as they can certainly stack up if you’re chomping on protein bars every day. Lots of brands now offer subscription services, which help you save money while also ensuring you never run out. And, there are other options for getting your daily protein fix, like the best protein cereals and the best protein powers – be sure to shop around!

An award-winning, registered nutritionist and sports nutritionist with over 15 years’ experience, Rob runs London-based consultancy RHNutrition, seeing private clients and working with leading brands within the wellness industry. Rob's also a well-known face in the media, and his influence in the industry was acknowledged when he was honored with the HFMA Health Journalist of the Year award in 2022. He's the author of three books: 'The Detox Kitchen Bible', 'The Art of Sleeping', and 'How to Live an Unprocessed Life'.

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PhD Smart Bar Chocolate Peanut Butter 12 x 64g › Customer reviews

Customer reviews.

PhD Smart Bar Chocolate Peanut Butter 12 x 64g

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

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Keto talk for people in the UK. Good restaurants, takeaways, fast-food joints, ingredients, snacks, supermarkets, and much more.

carbs in phd smart bars...?

so i'm just starting on the keto diet (partially for weight loss and partially for prediabetes management) but as a fussy vegetarian whose diet has always been heavily carb based i'm struggling at the moment with healthy fat and protein intake. i came across the phd smart protein bars and have seen some confusion as to whether or not they're really keto - personally i can't make head nor tail of them, so i was hoping someone here could maybe help me understand.

the nutrional values on the back of the chocolate brownie bar (64g) are as follows:

energy: 991kJ/237kcal fat: 11.0g - of which saturates 7.1g carbohydrate: 22.0g - of which sugars 0.4g, of which polyols 20.0g protein: 20g salt: 0.28g

the bar labels its 'impact carbs' as being 0.4g...are these its net carbs, then? or is it something different? i can't really tell if it has 22g of carbs or 0.4g. i'm keeping under 30g for the next week or two and have been in ketosis for two days so i'm just trying to be careful.

any advice or insight would be hugely appreciated!!

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If You’re Worried Kamala Harris Can’t Win, Listen to This

Nicole allan profiled her in 2019. she explains why 2024 is harris’s year..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

My name is Nicole Allan, and I’m a writer and attorney in San Francisco. In 2019, I wrote a profile of then-senator Kamala Harris that focused on her record as a prosecutor in California.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

In 2019, Kamala Harris ended up dropping out of the primary early before the Iowa caucuses. And at that point, she had pretty clearly developed a reputation nationally as someone who gave the sense that she didn’t quite know what she wanted to say and what she stood for. As vice president, that reputation has followed her.

But when I learned that President Biden had chosen to step aside and to endorse Kamala Harris, it seemed to me like it was finally Harris’s moment and gave her the real opportunity to redefine herself in the public image as someone who was uniquely positioned to beat Donald Trump in November.

In 2019, it was largely a race to the left. Many Democratic voters cared a lot about criminal justice reform and were generally skeptical of prosecutors. There was a rising movement where people who identified as progressive prosecutors were running and sometimes getting elected in cities across the country. They promised to essentially shrink the role of the prosecutor by doing things like decriminalizing minor drug offenses or reforming cash bail, declining to prosecute marijuana offenses, for example.

So Harris, when she launched her campaign in 2019, also published a book, a memoir in which she attempted to self-identify with the progressive prosecutor movement. And she said that she believed a progressive prosecutor was essentially someone who used the office to pursue justice.

And many people critiqued her for this position. They critiqued her for doing things like threatening to prosecute parents whose kids were chronically truant from elementary school.

We are putting parents on notice. If you fail to take responsibility for your kids, we are going to make sure that you face the full force and consequences of the law.

So Harris ended up dropping out of the race at the end of 2019, and by that point, she had developed a reputation as someone who didn’t really know what she stood for and who was extremely cautious and reticent to take stands on issues. And that, in combination with the critique of her record as a prosecutor, made a lot of people think that she lacked a political compass.

When Harris took office in 2021, she had a rough start. She developed a reputation, certainly on the right and even among certain observers on the left, as someone who was in over her head. But I think Harris is a more compelling candidate than people give her credit for. And in order to understand why, you really need to look to her record in California and how she was perceived during her years of service there.

Harris was a very popular politician in California, from when she began as district attorney in San Francisco up through her time as attorney general. She was extremely charismatic in front of a jury. She was direct and forceful, but also had a natural and relaxed demeanor that really got people on her side, juries and judges and co-workers, but also when she started running for office, donors and voters.

And she was known as someone who was equally comfortable in poor neighborhoods of San Francisco, like the Bayview, and also in fundraisers with wealthy donors in Pacific Heights, for example. She was able to really exist in both worlds at one time.

Harris is in a really different position now than she was in 2019. And one big reason for that is that the country is in a really different position, particularly on criminal justice issues. A lot of voters, including many voters on the left in cities like San Francisco and New York and Washington, DC, are very concerned about what they see as rising crime and public safety. And there’s a bit of a pendulum shift back to more conservative positions on law and order issues.

It’s also an interesting time for prosecutors because they’re getting a lot of attention in the headlines with the Trump prosecutions, and they’ve assumed heroic status in some circles. And the idea that Harris, with her prosecutorial background, would be able to go after Donald Trump in the same kind of way is very exciting to many people.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Harris has become the Biden administration’s leading voice on standing up for reproductive freedom and abortion access.

And, of course, a year after Dobbs, it is clear where this is headed. Extremist Republicans in Congress have proposed to ban abortion nationwide, nationwide. But I have news for them. We’re not having that. We’re not having that. We’re not standing for that.

At this moment in time, what matters is whether Harris can beat Donald Trump in four months. While Harris certainly struggled in 2019, and that campaign was a learning experience for her, it should not be determinative of her prospects at this moment. She’s running in a completely different race, and she’s also learned a lot. She’s a different politician now than she was then.

And many national voters are not aware of the Kamala Harris that Californians have known for a long time. That individual was extremely compelling. She was exciting and magnetic and charismatic and had a real brand that she knew how to present.

So if Harris can reconnect with that version of herself and explain to voters why she is uniquely positioned to beat Trump, she should have a stronger chance than many people give her credit for.

Before I was elected as vice president, before I was elected as United States senator, I was the elected attorney general of California. And before that, I was a courtroom prosecutor. In those roles, I took on perpetrators of all kinds.

Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type.

By Nicole Allan

Produced by Jillian Weinberger

During her first run for the presidency, Kamala Harris developed a reputation as an uncertain candidate who “didn’t quite know what she wanted to say and what she stood for,” the writer Nicole Allan says. But, Allan argues, Californians know another Harris: a forceful, charismatic and accomplished prosecutor who can effectively debate and defeat someone like Donald Trump. If Harris embraces her prosecutor persona this election, “She should have a stronger chance than many people give her credit for,” Allan says.

(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] .

This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Jillian Weinberger. It was edited by Kaari Pitkin and Alison Bruzek. Mixing by Pat McCusker. Original music by Carole Sabouraud, Isaac Jones and Pat McCusker. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker and Kate Sinclair. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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Smart Protein Bar - Chocolate Peanut Butter (12 pack)

£2.08/serving

 

Per 100g 

Per 64g bar 

Energy 

1536kJ / 382kcal 

983kJ / 245kcal 

Fat 

14g 

8.6g 

Of which saturates 

5.1g 

3.3g 

Carbohydrate 

38g 

25g 

Of which sugars 

3.1g 

2g 

Protein 

32g 

21g 

Salt 

0.40g 

0.26g 

Protein Blend (32%) [Calcium Caseinate ( Milk ), Whey Protein Concentrate ( Milk ), Bovine Collagen Hydrolysate, Soya Protein Isolate], Couverture Milk Chocolate with Sweetener (16%) [Sweetener (Maltitols), Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Mass, Emulsifier ( Soya Lecithins), Natural Vanilla Flavouring], Sweetener (Maltitols), Caramel Layer (13%) [Sweetener (Maltitols), Humectant (Glycerol), Cocoa Butter, Soya Protein Isolate, Emulsifier (Lecithins), Condensed Milk (Whole Milk , Sugar), Flavouring, Colour (Plain Caramel), Salt], Humectant (Glycerol), Crispy Soya Pieces (5%) ( Soya Protein Isolate, Tapioca Starch, Salt), Emulsifier (Lecithins), Rapeseed Oil, Isomaltooligosaccharide, Water, Tapioca Starch, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, Flavourings. Couverture Milk Chocolate contains: Cocoa solids 35% minimum, Milk solids 21% minimum.

For allergens, see ingredients in bold . May also contain cereals containing gluten .

NOT suitable for vegetarians.

The best tasting protein bar that I have tried.

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Great, taste - great boost of protein when I’m busy

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Tasty and high protein

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