. Quest Bar Review: Honest Thoughts from a Diabetes Dietitian

Quest Bar Review: Honest Thoughts from a Diabetes Dietitian

It’s no secret that Quest Bars have taken the protein bar world by storm in recent years. With their high protein stats, low sugar content, and delicious flavor options, they seem like the perfect on-the-go snack. But when you’re managing diabetes, things can be a little more complicated. Even things that appear to be “healthy” can still cause blood sugar drama.

So I took it upon myself to go on a quest to see if these bars are really as magical as they seem! In this Quest Bar review, I’m taking a deep dive into the Quest Birthday Cake protein bar. We’ll look at the ingredients, the nutritional information, and most importantly, how the bars affected my blood sugar. 

Image of Quest Protein Bar birthday cake flavor for Quest Bar Review blog post.

This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own, however some of the links below contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may get a small commission at no cost to you. 

Taste and Texture

Let’s start with the fun part – taste! In my opinion, Quest really nailed the birthday cake flavor. It’s sweet without being too sweet. It has a frosting-like coating and a cake-flavored inside. There’s even a hint of that buttery note you get from yellow cake mix. I did not notice any weird aftertaste that some sugar-free products have.

Texture-wise, it’s on the chewy side. It’s not dry or crumbly, and the outer coating adds a little bit of softness. If you’re expecting a fluffy, cake-like texture, you might be disappointed. This is definitely a bit more dense and the texture is nothing like an actual piece of cake. I prefer to microwave my Quest bars for about 10 seconds to make them extra soft – this makes the birthday cake flavor taste like warm icing!

Quest offers many other flavors, ranging from Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Cookies & Cream to more adventurous options like S’mores and Blueberry Muffin. So, if birthday cake isn’t your jam, there’s likely something else that you will enjoy.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the birthday cake flavor. It definitely satisfied my craving for something sweet. 

Quest Bar Nutritional Breakdown

Quest bars have impressive stats in terms of being relatively low in calories, carbs, and sugar while being high in protein and fiber. Let’s break down the nutrition label:

  • Calories: 180
  • Protein: 20g
  • Total Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sugar Alcohol: 9g
  • Fiber: 12g
  • Fat: 7g

Net Carbs and Blood Sugar

Net carbs are defined as the number of carbohydrates in a food that are actually absorbed by the body. They are calculated by subtracting the fiber and sugar alcohol from the total carbohydrates. Calculating net carbs is popular with some low-carb and keto diets.  When it comes to blood sugar levels, we do not recommend utilizing net carbs because some of the fiber and sugar alcohol may still have a small impact on the blood sugar.

A more advanced technique that works well for blood sugar control is to subtract half of the fiber and/or sugar alcohol from the total carbohydrates if the food has 5 or more grams of fiber and/or sugar alcohol per serving.  

You can calculate the net carbs of the Quest Bars by subtracting half of the fiber and half of the sugar alcohol from total carbs: 25g total carb – 6g fiber – 4.5g sugar alcohol = 14.5 grams of “net carbs”

Ingredients

Quest uses a blend of proteins (whey and milk protein isolate) and soluble corn fiber to achieve its nutritional profile. 

While generally considered safe, some people with diabetes may find that sugar alcohols (like erythritol which is used in this bar) cause a slight rise in blood sugar or possible digestive issues. This varies from person to person, so it’s always a good idea to monitor your body’s response.

If you have food allergies, beware. Quest Bars contain milk, almonds, and soy and they are processed in a facility that also processes peanuts, wheat, and other tree nuts.

Comparing the Quest Bar

Compared to your average candy bar or even some “healthy” granola bars, the Quest Birthday Cake bar comes in towards the top of the list nutritionally. Many conventional snacks are loaded with sugar and offer minimal protein, leading to blood sugar spikes and feeling hungry again soon after eating. This bar, with its higher protein and fiber content, is likely to have a more gradual impact on blood sugar and will keep you full for longer.

Quest also offers mini bars that are half the size of the regular protein bars. These are a great option for when you just need a small snack to tide you over until the next meal.

Blood Sugar Impact

Now for the moment of truth…how did the Birthday Cake Quest Bar affect my blood sugar? I’m happy to report that it was fairly uneventful! I checked my Dexcom before eating the bar and then again every 30 minutes for two hours afterward. I did see a slight rise in my blood sugar, as expected, but it was a gradual increase and peaked at a level within my target range.

Image of Dexcom graph showing a very slight rise in blood sugar after eating the Quest Bar.

Since I’m on an insulin pump, I pre-bolused about 10 minutes before eating the bar. I calculated my insulin dose based on the 14.5g of net carbs discussed earlier. Everyone’s insulin sensitivity and response to different foods will vary, so it’s crucial to monitor your own blood sugar and adjust your insulin dosing accordingly.

In terms of fitting into my diabetes management plan, I definitely see the Quest Birthday Cake bar as an occasional breakfast or afternoon snack option when I am craving something sweet.

Overall Impression and Recommendations

So, is the Quest Birthday Cake protein bar worth the hype for those of us with diabetes? Here are my thoughts in a nutshell:

Pros:

  • Great taste: It truly delivers on the birthday cake flavor.
  • Ideal macros: With 20g of protein, 12g of fiber, and only 14.5g of net carbs, it’s a relatively balanced choice.
  • Blood sugar friendly: In my experience, it caused a moderate and manageable rise in blood sugar.
  • Convenient: Perfect for a quick snack or meal replacement on the go.

Cons:

  • Chewy texture: Some people may not like the dense, chewy texture (if this is you, try microwaving it briefly for about 10 seconds!)
  • Contain sugar alcohols: The sugar alcohols may cause digestive issues for some people. If you are sensitive to sugar alcohols, check out my Trubar Protein Bar review, another popular protein bar that does not contain any sugar alcohols.

Conclusion

Overall, if you tolerate sugar alcohols then this bar is a great option when you want a sweet and satisfying snack that won’t send your blood sugar through the roof. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast or a post-workout snack.

Remember, everyone’s experience with diabetes is different. Always monitor your blood sugar levels and adjust your food choices and insulin or medication doses accordingly.

For a complete list of my favorite protein bars, make sure to download my guide on the Best Protein Bars for Diabetes!

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