The David Bar: Would Jaime RD Approve?
"Hey Jaime, have you tried the David Bar? Is it a good option?"
I love getting questions like this from my clients at Functional Elements. It shows people are thinking — questioning — and that's where real progress begins.
When it comes to protein bars, you know my general stance: I'm not the biggest fan. Sure, some bars serve a purpose, but most are filled with questionable ingredients, excessive sweeteners, and not nearly enough real nutrition.
So what about the David Bar?
Let’s dig in with a few key questions I always ask when evaluating a bar (or any supplement):
1. Does it deliver what it promises?
The David Bar is marketed as a high-protein, whole-food-based option. It claims 28g of protein per bar — which definitely hits my standard for calling something a "protein bar" (20g+ per serving).
That’s a good start.
2. What are the ingredients like?
When I look at an ingredient list, I don’t expect it to be flawless — but I want to recognize the majority of the ingredients. Ideally, real foods.
The David Bar focuses on simple, whole-food ingredients like milk protein isolate, nut butter, and natural sweeteners like monk fruit and honey.
From a dietitian’s perspective, this is a positive. You're getting real food first, with protein leading the way.
(And if you've heard me preach once, you've heard me a thousand times — PROTEIN FIRST at every meal or snack.)
3. How does it fit into the bigger picture?
Here’s the deal: no single bar is a magic bullet.
Eating a David Bar once in a while won’t make or break your results. But if you're choosing it wisely — as a post-workout gap filler, a quick on-the-go snack, or a strategic way to meet your daily protein goal — then yes, it can absolutely fit into your process.
Just like I recommend with 1st Phorm Level-1 Bars and Epic Bars, context matters.
The occasional David Bar, plugged into an otherwise whole-food-based, protein-focused nutrition plan? Awesome.
Eating multiple bars a day and calling it “good nutrition”? Not awesome.
4. Taste and practicality?
Taste is subjective, of course. But if a bar doesn't taste good, you're probably not going to eat it consistently.
Most feedback I've heard (and my personal experience) is that the David Bar tastes great — not too sweet, no chemical aftertaste, and a nice balance of texture and flavor.
Plus, the portability factor is huge. Busy day, meetings stacked back-to-back, kids’ activities, travel days? Sometimes you need something easy that still checks the nutrition boxes.
Bottom Line
The David Bar gets a thumbs up from me — as a tool, not a crutch.
If it helps you hit your daily protein goals …
If it helps you avoid fast food drive-thrus or mindless snacking …
If it fits into your overall big-picture nutrition gameplan …
Then it’s absolutely a solid choice.
As always, it comes back to my core advice:
GIVE YOUR BODY WHAT IT NEEDS, WHEN IT NEEDS IT!
Eat with a purpose. Stay consistent.
And if you need help finding the right balance for YOUR unique situation, let us know. It's what we do at Functional Elements!
Jaime Rothermich, RD, CSSD, LD, PPSC*KB, CSCS
Functional Elements Training and Nutrition
TRAIN FOR LIFE
(c) 314.518.4875
functionalelements@gmail.com
www.functionalelements.net
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