Larabar pioneered the "real food" bar category with simple ingredients. We love that. But if you need actual protein — for muscle recovery, satiety, or meeting daily targets — Larabar falls short. This comparison shows how That's All Protein combines Larabar's clean label philosophy with meaningful protein content.
🏆 Quick Answer: That's All Protein Wins for Protein Needs
Clean Label Standard™ Score: That's All Protein scores 50/50 vs Larabar's 43/50. Both are clean, but Larabar only delivers 4-5g protein vs That's All Protein's 15g grass-fed whey.
Quick Verdict:
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Best for protein content: That's All Protein (15g vs 4-5g)
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Best for muscle recovery: That's All Protein (grass-fed whey = complete amino acids)
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Best for clean snacking: Tie (both use whole food ingredients)
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Best for calorie-conscious: Larabar (190-220 cal vs 230 cal)
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Best overall clean protein bar: That's All Protein
Winner: That's All Protein (for protein needs) | Larabar (for light snacking)
Clean Label Standard™ Scores
| Product |
Score |
Key Issues |
| That's All Protein |
50/50 ✅ |
No issues — all organic whole foods, 15g grass-fed protein |
| Larabar |
43/50 ⚠️ |
Low protein (-5), incomplete protein source (-2) |
According to the Clean Label Standard™ scoring methodology, Larabar scores well on ingredient cleanliness but loses points for only delivering 4-5g incomplete protein. For a clean energy snack, Larabar is solid. For a protein bar, That's All Protein is the clear winner.
3 Things Larabar Does Right
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Simple whole food ingredients — Dates, nuts, and natural flavors. No artificial junk.
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No seed oils, no artificial sweeteners — Clean eating-approved base ingredients.
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Wide availability at low price — Easy to grab at any grocery store for ~$1.50.
The problem: Clean snack ≠ protein bar. If you need protein for muscle recovery or satiety, Larabar falls short at 4-5g per bar.
Larabar's Protein Problem
We respect Larabar. They proved you could make a great-tasting bar with just dates and nuts. But let's be honest about what Larabar is — and isn't.
Larabar Protein Content by Flavor
| Larabar Flavor |
Protein |
Assessment |
| Chocolate Chip Brownie |
3g |
❌ Very low |
| Cashew Cookie |
4g |
❌ Very low |
| Peanut Butter Cookie |
7g |
⚠️ Still low |
| Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip |
5g |
❌ Low |
| That's All Protein (any flavor) |
15g |
✅ Optimal |
Why 4-5g Protein Isn't Enough
Research published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends 20-40g protein per meal for optimal muscle protein synthesis. A 4-5g protein snack:
- Won't meaningfully contribute to muscle recovery
- Won't keep you full for long
- Won't help you meet daily protein targets
At 15g per bar, That's All Protein provides a functional protein dose — enough to support muscle synthesis, promote satiety, and contribute meaningfully to your daily intake.
The Math
To get 15g protein from Larabar (Cashew Cookie), you'd need to eat 3.75 bars — that's 750+ calories, 57g sugar, and $6-8. Or eat one That's All Protein bar: 230 calories, 14g sugar, ~$3.50.
Ingredient Philosophy: Both Are Clean
This is where Larabar deserves genuine credit. Their ingredient lists are beautifully simple:
That's All Protein Chocolate Bar (7 ingredients)
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Organic dates — natural sweetness + fiber
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Grass-fed whey protein — 15g complete protein
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Organic cashews — healthy fats + creaminess
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Organic cacao — antioxidants + chocolate flavor
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Organic cacao butter — stable healthy fat
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Organic vanilla — natural flavor
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Sea salt — electrolytes + taste
Larabar Cashew Cookie (3 ingredients)
- Dates
- Cashews
- Salt
Where They're Equal
- ✅ Both avoid artificial sweeteners
- ✅ Both avoid seed oils
- ✅ Both avoid sugar alcohols
- ✅ Both use dates as the base
- ✅ Both use nuts for fat and texture
Where That's All Protein Goes Further
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Organic: Most That's All ingredients are certified organic; Larabar is conventional (except specific organic line)
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Added protein: Grass-fed whey boosts protein from 4g to 15g
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Complete protein: Whey has all essential amino acids; nut protein doesn't
Protein Quality: Grass-Fed Whey vs Nut Protein
Not all protein is equal. Here's why the protein source matters:
Grass-Fed Whey (That's All Protein)
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Complete protein: Contains all 9 essential amino acids in optimal ratios
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High bioavailability: Your body absorbs and uses it efficiently
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Leucine-rich: The key amino acid for muscle protein synthesis
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Fast absorption: Ideal for post-workout recovery
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Grass-fed source: Better fatty acid profile, no hormones
Nut Protein (Larabar)
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Incomplete protein: Low in some essential amino acids
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Lower bioavailability: Less efficiently used by the body
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Low leucine: Not optimal for muscle building
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Small amounts: 4-5g total, spread across incomplete amino acids
A 2019 review in Nutrients found that whey protein has the highest protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) among common protein sources, making it the gold standard for muscle protein synthesis.
Practical Difference
15g of grass-fed whey protein will do more for your muscles, satiety, and daily protein needs than 15g of nut protein — and dramatically more than 4g of nut protein.
Nutrition Facts Comparison
| Nutrient |
That's All Protein (Chocolate) |
Larabar (Chocolate Chip Brownie) |
Verdict |
| Calories |
230 |
200 |
Similar |
| Protein |
✅ 15g |
3g |
That's All (+400%) |
| Fat |
11g |
10g |
Similar |
| Carbs |
22g |
29g |
That's All (lower) |
| Sugar |
14g |
18g |
That's All (lower) |
| Fiber |
3g |
4g |
Similar |
Per-Calorie Efficiency
For similar calories, That's All Protein delivers:
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5x more protein (15g vs 3g)
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Less sugar (14g vs 18g)
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Fewer carbs (22g vs 29g)
If you're eating a bar as a protein source, That's All Protein gives you dramatically more protein per calorie.
When to Choose Each Bar
Choose That's All Protein When:
- You need meaningful protein (post-workout, meal replacement, protein target)
- You want to stay full longer (protein = satiety)
- You're building or maintaining muscle
- You want complete amino acid profile
- You want organic ingredients
- You want grass-fed protein quality
Choose Larabar When:
- You just want a light snack (not a protein source)
- You're vegan (Larabar is plant-based)
- You're on a tight budget ($1.50 vs $3.50)
- You need something from a gas station (wide availability)
- You don't need protein — just clean energy
The Honest Answer
Larabar isn't trying to be a protein bar. It's a date-and-nut snack bar. That's All Protein is a true protein bar. Comparing them is like comparing an apple to a protein shake — both can be healthy, but they serve different purposes.
Final Verdict: Which Bar Should You Choose?
🏆 Winner (for protein): That's All Protein
If you need protein — for muscle recovery, satiety, or meeting daily targets — That's All Protein is the clear winner. You get 15g grass-fed protein vs 4-5g nut protein, with equally clean ingredients.
If you just want a clean snack — and don't care about protein content — Larabar is a solid choice at a lower price point.
Think of It This Way
| Larabar |
Clean energy bar with a little protein |
| That's All Protein |
Clean protein bar with Larabar-quality ingredients |
We took the Larabar philosophy (simple, real food ingredients) and added what it was missing: meaningful protein from grass-fed whey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Larabar a protein bar?
No, Larabar is not a protein bar. It's a fruit-and-nut bar with only 3-7g protein depending on flavor. Most of that protein comes from nuts, which is incomplete protein. For a true clean protein bar, That's All Protein provides 15g complete protein from grass-fed whey.
How much protein is in a Larabar?
Larabars contain 3-7g protein depending on the flavor. Peanut butter flavors have the most (~7g), while fruit-forward flavors have the least (~3g). This is significantly less than the 15g in That's All Protein bars.
Is Larabar actually healthy?
Yes, Larabar is one of the healthier bar options. It uses simple whole food ingredients — dates, nuts, and natural flavors — without seed oils, artificial sweeteners, or sugar alcohols. The limitation is low protein content (3-7g), which makes it more of a snack bar than a functional food.
What has more protein than Larabar but still clean ingredients?
That's All Protein is the best high-protein alternative to Larabar. It maintains the same clean ingredient philosophy (dates, nuts, no additives) while adding 15g grass-fed whey protein. You get 3-5x more protein with equally clean ingredients.
Is the protein in Larabar complete?
No, Larabar protein comes from nuts, which is incomplete protein (missing or low in some essential amino acids). That's All Protein uses grass-fed whey, which is complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids in optimal ratios for muscle synthesis.
Why does Larabar have so much sugar?
Larabar's sugar (17-19g) comes entirely from dates — a whole food with fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. This isn't added processed sugar. That's All Protein also uses dates (14g sugar) but adds grass-fed whey to improve the protein-to-sugar ratio.
Can I use Larabar as a post-workout snack?
Larabar provides quick energy from dates but minimal protein (3-7g) — not enough to optimally support muscle recovery. Research suggests 15-25g protein post-workout for muscle protein synthesis. That's All Protein provides 15g grass-fed whey, making it better suited for post-workout nutrition.
Why We Love (And Improved On) Larabar
Larabar proved that simple ingredients could succeed. Dates, nuts, done. We respect that.
But when we wanted a clean protein bar, Larabar couldn't deliver. 4g protein from nuts isn't enough for muscle recovery, satiety, or meeting daily targets.
So we created what we wished existed: A bar with Larabar's clean ingredient philosophy, plus meaningful protein from grass-fed whey.
Our bars contain just 4-7 ingredients:
- Grass-fed whey protein (15g per bar)
- Organic dates (natural sweetness)
- Organic nuts (cashews, almonds, or peanuts)
- Organic cacao and cacao butter
All the clean simplicity you love about Larabar. All the protein you need.
That's all.
