National Ice Cream Day, recognized on the third Sunday in July each year, isn't just one of those holidays that sparks a half-baked hashtag. Signed into proclamation under sweets-loving president Ronald Reagan in 1984, this day marks the perfect mid-summer event to celebrate the dairy-based delicacy.
For the fitness-enthused, though, downing cones and bowls of your favorite dessert might not be the most healthy activity to indulge in.
Thankfully, like the subdued hum of a Good Humor truck turning onto our street, ONE Bars has come to the rescue with a new limited-edition flavor just in time for the celebration. The all-new Rocky Road protein bars feature a tasty chocolate center loaded with marshmallow bits and real almonds, all cloaked in an icing-like coating.
"Summer and ice cream go hand in hand, and ONE is making it easy to enjoy the delicious flavor of Rocky Road in a convenient bar," says ONE General Manager Eric Clawson. "ONE Brands is known for flavor innovation, and our proprietary blends not only capture the best flavors [...] but our soft, not chalky, bar texture is the reason to believe you can really have you sweets and protein, too."
In preparation for the National Ice Cream Day festivities, we decided to forego the frozen food section and gave these new protein snacks a try. Here's the scoop on this latest protein bar aiming to satisfy active bodies and sweet tooths alike.
What's Good About ONE's Rocky Road Protein Bar
You really need to remind yourself that this is not a cone of your favorite treat
We've tasted a handful of ONE protein bars before, from Peanut Butter Pie to Fruity Cereal, and always appreciated the brand's attention to flavorful detail. On first taste of the Rocky Road bar, you immediately conjure up images of grabbing a waffle cone at your local parlor. The chocolate. The almonds. The marshmallows. Everything is there, which made getting those 20 grams of protein all the more enjoyable.
Additionally, the bars are thin, which make them easy to throw in a tote or grab on the go. Need a little sweet escape from your normal diet? ONE's Rocky Road can definitely deliver with flavor that's good to the last bite — or lick, if we're sticking to the ice cream puns.
The nutritional makeup provides plenty of filling for a nice midday pick-me-up
Okay, so the taste is on point, but what about the nutritional value? Well, each ONE Rocky Road protein bar delivers 20 grams of the brand's protein blend, containing a mixture of whey and milk protein. Additionally, the bars only contain one gram of sugar from natural ingredients, but they do contain a small amount of sucralose, an artificial sweetener. This, combined with seven grams of fat and 24 grams of carbohydrates, provides plenty of filling fuel for in-between meals.
We say between meals, as the 210 calories is not a total that should replace an entire dish. Let's be honest, though; ice cream shouldn't be a meal replacement in the first place. We enjoyed how filling the bars were when used as a snack mid-day, nonetheless.
What's Not Ideal About ONE's Rocky Road Protein Bar
There's a lot to chew on, literally, with this protein-powered snack
Unlike the ice cream this protein bar takes its inspiration from, getting through the ONE Rocky Road is a bit of an endeavor. While the bars aren't chalky or uninviting, like some protein bars on the market, the dense, cake-like composition does take a while to chew.
The bar is malleable, and you won't chip a tooth or anything — but if you're looking for a softer snack, look elsewhere. Protein bars as a whole, however, don't typically have the greatest mouthfeel, so don't hold this gripe too much against this otherwise delightful treat.
ONE Rocky Road Protein Bars: The Verdict
With summer heating up and National Ice Cream Day upon us, we can't recommend ONE's Rocky Road enough. While we'd appreciate a softer chewing experience, the flavor and healthy composition makes up for the lone flaw. ONE's Rocky Road protein bars are available in 12-pack boxes online at just $2.33 per bar. Be sure to get yours while they last, however, as the "limited-edition" stamp means this delectable flavor could soon melt away.
