David Protein Bar review: Is it worth the hype?

Protein bars are everywhere. But RXBAR founder Peter Rahal thinks there’s room for one more.

After selling RXBAR to Kellogg’s for $600 million, he teamed up with food-and-beverage founder Zach Ranen to launch David — a nutrition brand backed by Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., and Peter Attia, M.D., who also serves as the brand’s chief science officer.

David’s pitch? A bar packing 28g of protein into just 150 calories. I grabbed a sample box to see if it lives up to the hype.

David, the new protein bars from Peter Rahal.

What makes David different?

Around the time of David’s launch, I was discussing protein bars with friends who are serious about bodybuilding. When I showed them David’s nutritional information, they were shocked: “How do they fit so much protein in such a small package?”

That reaction gets to David’s core pitch: “the most effective portable protein on this planet.” With 28g of protein in a 150-calorie bar, they’re targeting efficiency over everything else.

How David compares to other bars.

Notably, 75% of David’s calories come from protein — something the brand says makes it the most protein-dense bar on the market. Its blend of protein sources were also chosen to optimize both muscle growth and overall health benefits, from workout recovery to hair and nail strength.

Ingredients

Rather than following RXBAR’s “fewer is better” philosophy, David takes an engineered approach to protein bars. Here’s what makes up its Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor:

Protein System:

• Milk protein isolate
• Collagen
• Whey protein concentrate
• Egg white

Binding System:

• Allulose
• Polydextrose
• Glycerin
• Tapioca starch
• Soy lecithin

Fat System:

• Modified plant fat
• Coconut oil

Flavor System:

• Unsweetened chocolate
• Natural flavor
• Monk fruit extract
• Steviol Glycosides (stevia)
• Cocoa powder (processed with alkali)

It’s a notable shift from Rahal’s RXBAR, which built its brand on ultra-simple ingredients (just 3-4 per bar) prominently displayed on the packaging.

When David’s ingredient-heavy formula sparked debate on social media pre-launch, co-founder Zach Ranen acknowledged that David takes a different approach — prioritizing protein-per-calorie over whole food ingredients.

David bars are engineered to deliver the most protein per calorie.

“Our mission is to create tools to increase muscle and decrease fat. The three most important things to achieve these goals are: eat sufficient protein, don’t eat too many calories, and keep blood sugar relatively stable,” said Ranen. “David will be a valuable tool for some (highly satiating, high protein, science-backed ingredients), and others may be less interested.”

So if you’re optimizing for protein, David is probably exactly what you’re looking for. If you’re prioritizing whole foods, you might want to look elsewhere.

Taste test

Let’s be real: No matter how much chocolate, caramel, or pretzel coating manufacturers add, most protein bars have that unmistakable whey protein aftertaste. And that’s OK, they’re not meant to be candy bars.

With that expectation in mind, I tested all four of David’s flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Blueberry Pie, Fudge Brownie, and Cake Batter. They’re sweetened with stevia and monk fruit extract, so David has no sugar.

Here’s my quick rundown on each flavor:

• Blueberry Pie: The standout. Surprisingly authentic with real berry taste — it felt like it was made from top-quality, real ingredients
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Classic buttery flavor with hints of chocolate
• Fudge Brownie: Most chocolatey, but with the strongest protein aftertaste
• Cake Batter: Sweet and true to its name, with genuine vanilla cake notes

Testing David’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor.

I’m not typically a fan of protein bar taste, and these won’t replace your favorite candy bar. But for what they are — post-workout fuel or a protein-packed snack — David’s bars are reasonably palatable.

Its focus is clear: maximum protein, minimum calories. David wasn’t created to be the best-tasting food on the planet.

Price check

David’s sticker price is quite high compared to other options on the market: $3.25 per bar ($2.93 with subscription), while some of the bestselling brands on Amazon tend to be in the $1.50 to $2.50 per bar range.

But, here’s where it gets interesting. I did the math on a few brands that David compares itself to on its website: Built, Quest Nutrition, and Barebells. Here’s a breakdown of how much each gram of protein costs with each brand:

• David: $0.11/gram with one-time purchase (28g protein, 150 cal)
• Built: $0.15/gram (17g protein, 170 cal)
• Quest: $0.09/gram (21g protein, 190 cal)
• Barebells: $0.14/gram (20g protein, 200 cal)

While David’s per-bar price is higher, it’s actually second most affordable per gram of protein, behind only Quest. Plus, they pack that protein into fewer calories — 150 versus Quest’s 190 — making them more efficient for those tracking macros.

Bottom line

So, is David worth it? Is it as revolutionary as the brand claims? In my opinion, yes, and no. It depends on who you are.

If you’re tracking macros and need efficient protein-to-calorie ratios, David stands alone. No major brand (Quest, PowerBar, etc.) matches its 28g protein at just 150 calories. But if you’re focused on whole-food ingredients rather than macro targets, David probably isn’t for you.

David isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. It’s a tool for optimizing protein intake, pure and simple. And on that specific mission, they deliver.