IQBARs Review
Pure Genius Or Purely Overrated? (Nutritionist Reacts)
I’ve never been shy when it comes to sharing how I really feel nutrition bars.
IQBars, your time has come.
Are IQBARs just another example of the fake food I often rant about? Or will they give you the brain boost you’re looking for?
Read on to find out!
In the modern day, consumers are seeking foods that not only taste good but also help support their brain and body nutrition.
As a result, nutrition bars have become popular choices among health-conscious individuals who want to harness the power of nutrients in a simple, portable snack.
However, choosing the right snack bar can pose a challenge. Many are overrated and some are just fake foods that have no actual health benefits.
IQBARs are among the few snack bars that actually deliver on taste and keep their promise to provide you with full-body nutrition. These tasty bars are made using complete plant-based proteins, whole foods containing healthy fats, prebiotic fibers, and low amounts of sugar and carbs.
The IQBAR complies with most diets and has the added advantage of being packed with a brain nutrient mix that may help you get past that annoying afternoon slump.
What are IQBARs?
IQBAR is both a company and a genius product line. The magic behind the name is their mission to create healthy snack bars containing functional nutrients for your body and brain that are backed by scientific research.
IQBAR protein bars are 45 grams and comply with keto, paleo, and vegan diets thanks to their clean ingredients.
They also contain six essential nutrients that are good for the brain. These ingredients are derived from or in the form of whole food ingredients, namely:
- Lion’s mane mushrooms
- Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)
- Flavonoids
- Omega-3s
- Vitamin E
- Choline
The team behind IQBAR don’t make outlandish health claims, but people who’ve tested and tried these protein bars attest to experiencing:
- Increased levels of concentration and focus
- More sustained cognitive energy and performance
- Increased strength and stamina
- Improved gut health and metabolism
- Feeling fuller for longer
IQBAR protein bars are kosher, 100% non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free.
IQBARs contain natural flavors derived from 100% organic sources, like vegetables, fruits, spices, and plants. These bars are available in seven flavors, including:
- Chocolate Sea Salt
- Peanut Butter Chip
- Almond Butter Chip
- Lemon Blueberry
- Banana Nut
- Wild Blueberry
- Matcha Chai
“Overall, their updated recipe definitely is a game-changer (especially for someone like me who thinks eating healthy should still taste good).”
IQBAR Protein Bars Nutritional Macros
The different IQBAR protein bar flavors contain at least 180 calories packed into a 45-gram bar. The nutritional macros and brain nutrients in each bar vary slightly but are generally in the following ranges:
- 12 g Plant protein
- 11–13 g Total fat (3 g net carbs)
- 12–15 g Fat
- 1–2 g Sugar
- 7–10 g Dietary fiber
- 6 Brain nutrients
The company explains that they do not include the exact content of brain nutrients for proprietary reasons, and because there are no recommended daily values presented by the FDA.
Pros and Cons of IQBARs
Psst! Got a moment?
If you're reading this, you came here for one my many protein bar reviews, which means you're a fellow bar eater.
If you found my article helpful, I hope you'll take a look at Human Food Bar, which I created after testing over 100 bars.
The bar's unique formulation can help you cut cravings, lose weight, sleep better, have more energy, regulate digestion, and more. It does this by balancing your gut biome.
Human Food Bar comes recommended by New York Times best-selling author Dr. Steven Gundry, MD.
Scroll through the gallery to learn more!
Rating of the IQBAR Protein Bars
To provide you with a detailed review of the IQBAR, I tasted a few.
Below is my honest review of these bars based on their taste and texture, ingredients, macros, sugar content, plant protein, and fiber content.
Texture and Taste
One bite of this and I was glad I found a protein bar that’s not as bland or awful-tasting as other protein bars.
IQBARs are sweetened with stevia, not sugar alcohols, as you’ll find in many other protein bars. This gives the bars a nice sweet flavor without leaving an aftertaste.
The overall texture is great, somewhat like cookie dough, and they have a soft, chewy bite with perfectly distributed crunchy bits throughout.
My favorite thing about these bars is that you can be sure to find something you love—whether you’re a chocolate lover or prefer to stick to your fruits and veggies.
“…tastes good and doesn’t have the consistency of tar, and these are soft, have some bite, overall the texture is great.”
Macros
IQBARs are made with healthy ingredients while considering every dietary restriction. The 45-gram bars are packed with:
- 11–12 g Plant-based protein
- 3 g Net carbohydrates
- 12–15 g Fat
The fat in these bars is obtained from clean and energizing mono and polyunsaturated fats and MCTs to support your healthy lifestyle.
Plant Protein or Fiber Content
IQBARs contain at least 25% plant-based protein per bar.
Most of the protein content in these bars is derived from pea protein, which, according to a 2019 study, works as well as whey protein in promoting post-workout muscle growth. Pea protein was selected as the main protein source for the following reasons:
- It contains all nine essential amino acids.
- It’s easy and beneficial for your gut because it doesn’t contain gluten or lactose.
- It’s easy to metabolize and is highly bioavailable, so it’s easily and effectively absorbed in the body.
- It’s vegan.
- It’s paleo friendly because it has lower lectin and phytate content.
Other ideal protein sources in these bars include almonds, flax seeds, and tapioca starch.
When you consume high amounts of protein, it’s essential that you also have enough fiber to help with digestion and gut health.
These bars contain tapioca fiber, or resistant dextrin, which is a gut-friendly prebiotic fiber. The advantage of prebiotic fiber is that it feeds good gut bacteria.
However, you need to be wary of tapioca starch/fiber because it’s unhealthy and not ideal for diabetics—they’re essentially pure carbs.
Ingredients
IQBAR strives to ensure that their protein bars use only clean ingredients and steer clear of potentially harmful ingredients, like dairy, soy, sugar alcohols, and other artificial sweeteners.
The bars are also 100% non-GMO and are made using mostly organic ingredients. The common ingredients among all IQBAR flavors include:
- Almonds
- Tapioca Fiber
- Flaxseeds
- Plant-based Protein Crisps (Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch)
- Natural Flavors
- Coconut Oil
- Water
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Vegetable Juice
- Sea Salt
- Vanilla Extract
- Citric Acid
- Non-GMO Steviol Glycosides
- Lion’s Mane
- Vitamin E
The spices, fruits, and vegetables used vary depending on the protein bar flavor.
Value
IQBARs offer great value considering they’re great tasting, have good macronutrient content, and have high nutritional value. These bars are also low carb, high fiber, high in protein, and use quality ingredients that are great for diabetics and people on various kinds of diets.
Their price point is fair, especially because you get to enjoy these snack bars in various ways, including:
- As a meal replacement
- Pre and post-workout snack
- As a midday energy boost
- While running errands
“These are part of my regular diet, and a good deal providing significant plant-based protein at a low price-per-gram of protein.”
Low Sugar
IQBARs have less than 2 grams of sugar, which is ideal for people looking to cut back on their sugar intake.
The sugar content in the bars comes from a combination of stevia and allulose. These two types of sugar have very few calories and don’t raise your blood sugar levels.
Used in low quantities as found in these delicious IQBARS, allulose is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a sugar substitute.
More importantly, stevia and allulose are both natural sweeteners. They are ideal for people with diabetes because they don’t spike blood sugar or insulin levels. Stevia and allulose sugars also have minimal calories, which is great for healthy eating and weight management.
Comparing IQBARs to the Human Food Bar
The IQBAR and the Human Food Bar are similar in multiple ways. For instance, both are focused on providing you with a healthy and tasty snack bar to help you live your happiest and most productive life.
However, while the IQBAR protein bar is advertised as a brain booster, the Human Food Bar is a microbiome booster. They are both plant-protein based and come with multiple health benefits.
Below is a tabular comparison of the two snack bars.
| IQBAR Protein Bar | Human Food Bar | |
| Calories | 180 calories | 200 calories |
| Plant-protein content | 12 g | 8 g |
| Dietary fiber content | 7–10 g dietary fiber obtained from tapioca fiber | 12 g dietary fiber obtained from multiple prebiotic fibers (tiger nuts, chicory root, baobab, flax) |
| Net carbs | 3 g net carbs | 5 g net carbs |
| Soy | No | Yes |
Are IQBAR Protein Bars Better Than The Human Food Bar?
I must admit that the IQBAR protein bars are genius and fair competitors to the upcoming Human Food Bar.
For instance, the IQBAR has direct brain-boosting potential, which is something you won’t find with our HFB. That said, a healthy gut correlates to more energy and a brighter mood, and may even help clear up your thinking.
It is a great choice as it combines plant protein, multiple prebiotic fibers, superfoods, and resistant starch to give you a bar that supports your busy and healthy lifestyle.
I am obviously super biased but I do find the Human Food Bar to be more filling and way more delicious. They are also even more nutritious, making them better value for your money and more beneficial to your body.
Among the rare superfoods in the HFB are tiger nuts, which contain micronutrients and healthy fats that support your digestive system and help control blood sugar levels. The bar also contains baobab fruit, which has an ORAC value of a whopping 140,000. That makes it the most potent superfood there is. It even beats out tumeric.
Additionally, the HFB is compatible with multiple diets, including Dr. Gaundry’s Plant Paradox Diet.
Conclusion: The two are clear winners of their own accord.
The Takeaway
IQBARs are pure genius, considering they deliver at least 80% of their promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are IQBARs 100% Paleo?
IQBAR describes their snack bars are paleo-friendly rather than paleo because:
- The main protein in the bars is pea protein, which is a legume and not 100% compliant with a paleo diet due to their phytates and lectin content.
- They contain some ingredients that were not exclusively consumed by hunters and gatherers, such as sunflower lecithin.
Which allergies should you be wary of?
You should not consume IQBARs if you’re allergic to:
- Almonds
- Coconuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Peanuts
How long do IQBARs stay fresh?
IQBARs can stay fresh for up to 6 months when refrigerated. At room temperature, you can expect them to maintain their freshness for up to 21 days.
