Inner Circle Forums
Portions of the Undoctored Inner Circle Member Forum and its vast wealth of knowledge, are available only to our Members.
Becoming an Inner Circle Member will allow you to post topics, ask Dr. Davis questions, and view all replies.


Quest Bars


Member Forum >> Food and Diet >> Quest Bars

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0

Posted: 5/24/2015 11:08:32 AM
Edited: 1/17/2017 9:55:51 AM (31)

Quest Bars

Quest Bars

Revised: 2017-01-17

Alternative bars that you might consider are discussed at: Adapt and Primal Kitchen Bars

I no longer recommend any Quest Protein bars. As of 2015-08-26, Quest has ceased using IMO, and switched to soluble corn fiber (which may still be an IMO). They provide no information on what adverse corn proteins (like zein) might make it into the bars. Because they don't claim “organic”, pesticide uptake is also a concern. They have also added calcium carbonate to at least two of the reformulated sucralose-free flavors, and some contain soy lecithin, an emulsifier. Supplementing calcium is discouraged on Wheat Belly and Cureality guidelines (with one possible emerging exception that is not calcium carbonate). Added emulsifiers are a recent new concern (gut biome antagonist), and common in junk food, which is what this product line seems to be turning into. New flavors added to the Quest line have been using sucralose.

Until we have some clarity on all this, I've stopped buying them entirely. As it turned out, the most recent carton I'd bought, of Double Chocolate Chunk, is the new formulation. In addition to the ingredient concerns raised above, the flavor has changed, toward cardboard.

Below is what this article used to say, revised to make the de-listing clear.
_______________

Largely by accident (in my opinion, and reinforced by recent Quest Nutrition bumbling around), some of these bars used to be acceptable as a snack, and as a source of prebiotic fiber, under Cureality and Wheat Belly guidelines. They are gluten-free and GMO-free, very low net carb, high prebiotic fiber, but alas also low fat. Quest Nutrition does not have the full picture.

If all the caveats seem discouraging, the sad truth is that these used to be the most benign snack bars on the market, and there are presently NO satisfactory packaged meal replacement bars on the market at all. There are a couple of candidate snack bars (Adapt & Primal) on which I may have more to say in the future.

Issues on Quest included:

  • All flavors now contain soluble corn fiber instead of IMO, raising a zein protein concern.
  • Over half the Quest flavors contain sucralose, an artificial sweetener no longer CR/WB approved due to being a likely gut biome antagonist (see lists below).
  • They contain whey protein, which provokes an non-trivial insulin response in many people, and may be a factor in weight loss stall.
  • The older high “dietary” (pre-biotic) IMO fiber content could cause gas (more below). I have no data on any corn fiber effects.
  • Emulsifiers.
  • These are protein bars, so they are probably not compatible with being in full time ketosis, if that's your intent.
  • Fat content is also too low to consider them to be meal replacement (more below).
  • Some people got a blood sugar response to the legacy bars. The reasons for this were not clear.
  • No claim is made for “organic”. This raises questions about pesticide uptake in the corn fiber.
  • Packaging quality control is inconsistent (more below).

These flavors do not contain sucralose:
+ Banana Nut Muffin (but does contain calcium carbonate)
+ Chocolate Peanut Butter
+ Cinnamon Roll
+ Coconut Cashew
+ Double Chocolate Chunk (but does contain calcium carbonate)
+ Lemon Cream Pie
+ Strawberry Cheesecake

These flavors contain sucralose:
- Apple Pie
- Chocolate Brownie
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Cookies & Cream
- Mint Chocolate Chunk
- Mixed Berry Bliss
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
- Peanut Butter Supreme
- Pumpkin Pie (seasonal)
- S'mores
- Vanilla Almond Crunch
- White Chocolate Raspberry

People have asked Quest to increase the fat*. They don't get it. “We don't want to add more fat simply to blunt responses in the people that seem to show higher readings, as maintaining good calorie control and macronutrient ratios are much more important in our opinion.” The FDA, still stuck on low fat, would probably also hassle them about the “perfect nutritional profile” claim if they increased the fat.

If you hadn't already been consuming sufficient prebiotic fiber and/or have suboptimal gut flora, you might have initially experienced gas with the former IMO-based bars. One bar was close to the CR/WB target for daily prebiotic fiber. You may get gas in any case if you eat more than 2 bars per day. The older bars use IMO (isomalto oligosaccharides). The newest flavor (Mint) switched to “Soluble Corn Fiber” (which raises issues, and the fact that the recent new flavors have sucralose suggests that Quest is not likely to intentionally release a more optimal product anytime soon). Unfortunately, Quest decided to reformulate all the bars to use corn.

The protein is milk- and/or whey-based, which is a concern for those sensitive to bovine (cow) dairy. Note for those outside North America: the dairy content is almost certainly from N.A. herds with beta casein A1 genetics, and not your A2 cows. You might do fine on A2 dairy, but perhaps not A1.

Some people get a blood sugar response to the older bars that is not understood (it was apparently not glucogenesis of the whey protein or heating of the IMO). These bars are not labeled for diabetics. I have seen no reports on how the reformulation might affect this response.

If you buy this product by the carton, be sure to check the air seal on every bar before putting the box in the cupboard. In my experience, about 5% of the bars are not well sealed, and will be dried out rocks by the time you discover the problem. Only one of the two Quest sampler boxes is sucralose-free.

This article is only about the protein bars. The newer Beyond Cereal bars, and other Quest products are left as an exercise for the reader.
______
* They are sort of starting to listen on the fat issue, and lately introduced MCT Oil Powder. In addition to the cognitive dissonance of "oil powder", this product also contains soluble corn fiber and sodium caseinate (aka MSG), and no specific claims of organic or non-GMO.

___________
Bob Niland [disclosures] [topics]


Tags: bar,Quest

Join Date: 4/3/2010
Posts Contributed: 4633
Total Likes: 159
Recommends Recd: 10
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 1


Watch your BG on Quest bars - I love them but they don't love me.  I get a 20+ percent BG bump with them...

Steve
Tags:

Join Date: 12/19/2009
Posts Contributed: 895
Total Likes: 129
Recommends Recd: 3
Ignores Issued: 1
Likes Recd: 0


I use Quest bars. I haven't price-checked lately, but I did once, and Vitacost's price was good. Since I order so many supps from them, it's easy just to include my Quest bars on the same order.

Pete
Tags:

Join Date: 4/3/2010
Posts Contributed: 4633
Total Likes: 159
Recommends Recd: 10
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Dr. Davis
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 12/20/2007
Posts Contributed: 10943
Total Likes: 2310
Recommends Recd: 15
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 1


What a terrific discussion and update, Bob!

Thanks for posting.
Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Join Date: 4/3/2010
Posts Contributed: 4633
Total Likes: 159
Recommends Recd: 10
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Join Date: 12/19/2009
Posts Contributed: 895
Total Likes: 129
Recommends Recd: 3
Ignores Issued: 1
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

LCL
No Avatar
Join Date: 9/13/2008
Posts Contributed: 6059
Total Likes: 1640
Recommends Recd: 14
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 1



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Join Date: 3/2/2009
Posts Contributed: 4092
Total Likes: 629
Recommends Recd: 8
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0

Posted: 12/14/2015 11:09:14 AM
Edited: 12/14/2015 11:10:04 AM (1)


Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Join Date: 12/19/2009
Posts Contributed: 895
Total Likes: 129
Recommends Recd: 3
Ignores Issued: 1
Likes Recd: 0


Bob, man do I appreciate your research on this stuff!

Pete
Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0

Posted: 12/14/2015 3:36:04 PM
Edited: 12/14/2015 3:37:42 PM (1)


Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Join Date: 12/19/2009
Posts Contributed: 895
Total Likes: 129
Recommends Recd: 3
Ignores Issued: 1
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0

Posted: 12/22/2015 1:47:15 PM
Edited: 12/22/2015 2:30:44 PM (1)


Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

HeartHawk
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 12/20/2007
Posts Contributed: 5516
Total Likes: 951
Recommends Recd: 17
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Join Date: 12/19/2009
Posts Contributed: 895
Total Likes: 129
Recommends Recd: 3
Ignores Issued: 1
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Join Date: 12/19/2009
Posts Contributed: 895
Total Likes: 129
Recommends Recd: 3
Ignores Issued: 1
Likes Recd: 0


"Nutty Crunch" - I'll have a look. Thanks Bob!

Pete
Tags:

Join Date: 9/30/2009
Posts Contributed: 2861
Total Likes: 997
Recommends Recd: 9
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 1


What about the Designs For Health Paleo Bars?
Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Dr. Davis
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 12/20/2007
Posts Contributed: 10943
Total Likes: 2310
Recommends Recd: 15
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 1



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:

Join Date: 12/19/2009
Posts Contributed: 895
Total Likes: 129
Recommends Recd: 3
Ignores Issued: 1
Likes Recd: 0


"jerky-type meat bars" - not feelin' it
Tags:

Join Date: 9/30/2009
Posts Contributed: 2861
Total Likes: 997
Recommends Recd: 9
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 1


Bruce Ames
Will they ever come out with this bar?
http://www.bruceames.org/CHORIBar.php
Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0

Posted: 7/17/2017 3:18:25 PM
Edited: 7/17/2017 3:20:05 PM (1)


Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags: Quest

Join Date: 2/8/2016
Posts Contributed: 891
Total Likes: 51
Recommends Recd: 0
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 0


I’ve looked at so many of these bars, Quest and many others. Even with my limited knowledge, once I look at th ingredients list, THT is nothing I’d be willing to touch, at least when I’m in a compliant frame of mind.
Tags:

Bob Niland
No Avatar
STAFF
Join Date: 7/7/2014
Posts Contributed: 23635
Total Likes: 4050
Recommends Recd: 11
Ignores Issued: 0
Likes Recd: 1



Reply Content Hidden!

Post replies longer than 250 characters are restricted to Full Access Members (make certain you are logged-in!).

Sign Up Today!


Tags:


DISCLAIMER

The information contained within this Forum and website is of a general nature and intended purely as background reading for the participants taking part in Forum discussions and projects. It should not be construed as professional medical advice. Please read the website Medical Disclaimer for more information and limitations.

Changes may occur in circumstances at any time that may affect the accuracy or completeness of the information presented within any section of the Forum and website. This Forum and Track Your Plaque, LLC have taken reasonable care in producing and presenting the content contained herein, however, we do not accept responsibility for any loss, expense, or liability that you may incur from using or relying on the information sourced from this website, its forums and/or blogs.

Third-party content and links

This Forum and Track Your Plaque, LLC accept no responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content or links, or your reliance on any information contained within any such content available through our site. The comments published on this Forum represent a wide range of views and interests of the participating individuals and organizations. Statements made during online discussions are the personal opinions of the commentators and do not necessarily reflect those of others participating on this Forum. Track Your Plaque, LLC at all times and at its absolute discretion, reserves the right to remove reasonably offensive comments in line with our Moderation Guidelines.