What is the PhD Smart Bar? It is a triple-layered, high-protein snack bar with about 20–22 g of protein, less than 2.1 g of sugar and only roughly 2–4 g of net (impact) carbs per 64 g bar. Total carbohydrate reads higher (23–26 g) but is mostly maltitol, glycerol and prebiotic fibre — so it eats like a chocolate bar while working for high-protein, low-sugar and keto-friendly snacking. (Single bar.)
Key macros / what it is
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~20–22 g protein per 64 g bar (whey, milk and collagen blend)
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Less than 2.1 g sugar per bar
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~2–4 g net carbs per bar (total carbs 23–26 g are largely maltitol, glycerol and isomalto-oligosaccharide fibre)
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~245–260 kcal per 64 g bar
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Palm oil free, triple-layered, couverture-chocolate coated
Buy single bars to mix and match your favourite flavours, or step up to the box of 12 for the best value per bar.
Best for these goals
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Low-sugar treat: an easy swap for a candy bar when a sweet craving hits, at under 2.1 g of sugar.
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Keto & low-carb: roughly 2–4 g net carbs by the standard method (total carbohydrate minus fibre and sugar alcohols). Honest caveat — the sugar alcohol here is maltitol, which is mildly glycemic, so treat it as keto-friendly and low-net-carb rather than truly zero carb.
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High-protein snacking: ~20–22 g protein helps hit daily protein targets and supports muscle recovery between meals.
Who it's for
- Anyone who wants a dessert-style bar without the sugar of a candy bar
- Low-carb and keto eaters watching net carbs (mind the maltitol)
- Gym-goers and busy people who want 20 g+ of protein in a grab-and-go format
About PhD
PhD Nutrition is a British sports-nutrition brand (part of Science in Sport) known for genuinely good-tasting protein bars and powders. The Smart Bar is their flagship snack: it earned a following because it tastes like a chocolate bar while carrying the protein of a shake and keeping added sugar very low. It is made in the UK.
Why we carry it
We have curated Top Nutrition & Fitness by taste since 2016, and the Smart Bar is one of the few high-protein bars that we think genuinely eats like a treat rather than a supplement. A soft protein core, a caramel layer and crispy soya pieces coated in couverture chocolate give it real texture, and at under 2.1 g of sugar it is an easy swap for a candy bar. It is also palm oil free.
Nutrition & ingredients
Nutrition per 64 g bar (values vary slightly by flavour):
| Flavour |
Energy |
Protein |
Carbs |
of which sugars |
Fat |
| Cookies & Cream |
246 kcal |
22 g |
23 g |
2.0 g |
8.6 g |
| Choc Peanut Butter |
245 kcal |
21 g |
25 g |
2.0 g |
8.6 g |
| Salted Caramel |
249 kcal |
21 g |
24 g |
1.9 g |
9.0 g |
| White Choc Blondie |
259 kcal |
20 g |
26 g |
2.1 g |
9.5 g |
Flavours: Choc Peanut Butter, White Choc Blondie, Cookies & Cream, Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Salted Fudge Brownie, Birthday Cake and Mississippi Tough Mudder Pie (availability varies). Every flavour shares the same triple-layer build.
The carbs, honestly: total carbohydrate reads around 23–26 g per bar, which looks high next to the tiny under-2.1 g of sugar — but nearly all of that carbohydrate is maltitol (a sugar alcohol), glycerol and isomalto-oligosaccharide (a prebiotic fibre), which the body largely does not absorb as regular carbs. Subtract those and you are left with only a few grams of net carbs per bar. Excess sugar alcohols can have a laxative effect.
Contains milk and soya; may contain gluten. Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans (contains whey and bovine collagen) — for a plant-based option see the PhD Smart Plant bar.
Comparison
Versus a standard chocolate or candy bar, the Smart Bar delivers ~20–22 g of protein with under 2.1 g of sugar instead of 20 g+ of sugar. Versus many so-called low-sugar bars that hide added sugar in syrups, PhD keeps sugar genuinely low and leans on fibre and sugar alcohols — with an honest note that maltitol is mildly glycemic rather than zero-impact.
Pairs well with
Reach for a 3D Energy Drink for a zero-sugar caffeine lift alongside your bar, add an Allmax Isoflex whey isolate packet for a post-workout protein hit, or keep Legendary Foods Popped Protein Chips on hand when you want a savoury crunch instead of sweet.
Great alternative to
A great alternative to sugary chocolate and candy bars, and to high-sugar "protein" bars — same treat experience, far less sugar and 20 g+ of protein.
Why buy from Top Nutrition & Fitness
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Same-day shipping from our Montreal store on orders placed before the daily cut-off.
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Free shipping on qualifying orders anywhere in Canada.
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5% cashback on every order with Top Nutrition Rewards.
- Free 30-day returns.
- A curated Montreal shop since 2016 — we only stock what we would use ourselves. Prefer to buy the other size? Grab the box of 12.
FAQ
How much protein is in a PhD Smart Bar?
About 20–22 g per 64 g bar, depending on flavour.
Is the PhD Smart Bar keto or low net carb?
Effectively yes: sugar is very low (under 2.1 g) and by the standard net-carb method it works out to roughly 2–4 g net carbs per bar — low enough for most low-carb and keto plans. Honest caveat: the sugar alcohol here is maltitol, which is mildly glycemic (not zero-impact like erythritol or allulose), so enjoy it as a keto-friendly, low-net-carb bar rather than a truly zero-carb one.
Is it vegetarian or vegan?
No. It contains whey and bovine collagen. For a plant-based option, choose the PhD Smart Plant bar (vegan, gluten free).
Does it contain palm oil?
No — the Smart Bar is palm oil free.
What is the best way to buy them?
Buy single bars to build your own mix, or order a box of 12 of your favourite flavour. Single bars qualify for our Mix & Match snack deal, and free shipping applies on qualifying orders.
Version française
Qu'est-ce que la PhD Smart Bar?
La PhD Smart Bar est une barre protéinée à trois couches offrant environ 20 à 22 g de protéines, moins de 2,1 g de sucre et seulement environ 2 à 4 g de glucides nets par barre de 64 g. Un cœur protéiné moelleux, une couche de caramel et des éclats de soja croustillants, le tout enrobé de chocolat couverture. Sans huile de palme, fabriquée au Royaume-Uni par PhD.
Faible en sucre, mais « céto »?
Le sucre est très bas (moins de 2,1 g) et, selon la méthode des glucides nets (glucides totaux moins les fibres et les polyols), la barre contient environ 2 à 4 g de glucides nets — donc faible en sucre, faible en glucides nets et riche en protéines. Nuance honnête : le polyol utilisé est le maltitol, légèrement glycémique (pas « zéro impact » comme l'érythritol) — une barre « céto-compatible » plutôt que zéro glucide.
Allergènes et régime
Contient du lait et du soja; peut contenir des céréales contenant du gluten. Non végétarien (contient du lactosérum et du collagène bovin). Curation par Top Nutrition and Fitness, Montréal, depuis 2016. Livraison gratuite sur les commandes admissibles.
