Formulated Bar, SOUTH BEACH protein bar
Whole food · Snacks
Photo: Wikipedia
The South Beach Protein Bar is a dense, chewy, ready-to-eat snack engineered for satiety and muscle support. It typically features a multi-layered construction, often with a nougat-like core, a caramel or yogurt coating, and a crunchy chocolate or nut-based shell, delivering a sweet, salty, and satisfyingly complex texture. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse, packing over 30 grams of protein per 100 grams, making it a significant contributor to daily protein goals.
Calorie split: 29% protein · 37% carbs · 33% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its indulgent, candy-bar-like taste and texture that makes meeting high-protein goals feel like a treat rather than a chore. Its convenience makes it a staple for busy professionals, gym-goers, and travelers seeking a reliable, non-perishable protein source.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The relatively high sugar content (over 15g per 100g) can cause a blood-sugar spike, especially for those with insulin sensitivity. It may also contain common allergens like soy, peanuts, or milk derivatives. To counteract, pair it with a source of healthy fat or fiber (like a handful of nuts or an apple) to slow sugar absorption, or enjoy it post-workout when your body is primed to utilize the carbohydrates.
Key benefits
- High in protein for muscle repair and satiety
- Convenient, portable meal or snack replacement
- Contains dietary fiber to support digestive health
- Provides a quick energy source from carbohydrates
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'South Beach' name references the trendy Miami neighborhood, evoking a lifestyle of health, sunshine, and vitality, though the bar itself is a product of modern food science.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 12.2 g |
| Energy | 412 kcal |
| Energy | 1722 kj |
| Protein | 30.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 15.2 g |
| Ash | 3.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 38.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 7.3 g |
| Total Sugars | 15.2 g |
| Starch | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 322 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 5.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 71.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 445 mg |
| Potassium, K | 793 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 436 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.85 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 1.0 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 9.0 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 27.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.18 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.44 mg |
| Niacin | 1.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 2.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.23 mg |
| Folate, total | 184 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 184 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 184 ug |
| Choline, total | 108 mg |
| Betaine | 1.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.61 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 391 ug |
| Retinol | 66.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 3901 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 6720 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 11713 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 4.6 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.03 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 1.9 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.07 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.03 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 351 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 2.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 29.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.80 g |
| SFA 13:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.32 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.4 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.51 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.3 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.7 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.66 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.09 g |
| Cholesterol | 3.0 mg |
| Stigmasterol | 1.0 mg |
| Campesterol | 12.0 mg |
| Beta-sitosterol | 22.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Formulated bar, MARS SNACKFOOD US, SNICKERS MARATHON Energy Bar, all flavors — USDA does not publish this profile for Formulated Bar.
| Tryptophan | 0.22 g |
| Threonine | 0.68 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.83 g |
| Leucine | 1.4 g |
| Lysine | 0.97 g |
| Methionine | 0.27 g |
| Cystine | 0.24 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.98 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.74 g |
| Valine | 0.90 g |
| Arginine | 1.7 g |
| Histidine | 0.48 g |
| Alanine | 0.76 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.8 g |
| Glycine | 0.88 g |
| Proline | 1.1 g |
| Serine | 0.97 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is this a meal replacement?
While high in protein, it is typically low in essential micronutrients and healthy fats compared to a balanced meal. It's best used as a substantial snack or supplement, not a full meal replacement for extended periods.
When is the best time to eat it?
It's ideal as a pre-workout fuel 30-60 minutes before exercise, or as a post-workout recovery snack to aid muscle repair. It also works well as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up to stave off hunger.
How does it compare to a candy bar?
While it may taste similar, it is specifically formulated to have significantly more protein and often more fiber, with less simple sugar than a standard candy bar, making it more satiating and nutritionally purposeful.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.12 kcal/g · 29% calories from protein · 7.3 g fiber · 15.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.55 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.