Jennifer Aniston Just Released a Collagen Protein Bar—but Is it Healthy?

Getty Images / Steve Granitz

Jennifer Aniston is famous for her healthy lifestyle. Whether you've been inspired by her unique fitness routine or tried the now-iconic lunch salad that she ate on the set of Friends every day for 10 years, you're going to be all ears about her latest launch. The actress and entrepreneur just released a line of collagen protein bars as part of her partnership with the brand Vital Proteins, and they hit store shelves on May 24th (she is also the chief creative officer for the brand). Aniston announced the launch of the Vital Proteins & Jennifer Aniston Protein and Collagen Bar via Instagram with a video of herself talking about the partnership and eating one of the bars that she says is "just so good."

The Vital Proteins & Jennifer Aniston Protein and Collagen Bar comes in three intriguing flavors: Peanut Butter Fudge, Cold Brew Coffee and Dark Chocolate Coconut. While you're waiting to find them at your local supermarket, these bars are available now at VitalProteins.com for $29.99 for a pack of 12, or $22.49 if you sign up for a subscription.

Vital Proteins & Jennifer Aniston Protein and Collagen Bar Nutrition

All three of the bars stack up similarly on the nutrition label, with the Peanut Butter Fudge and Cold Brew Coffee flavors having 170 calories and the Dark Chocolate Coconut having 190, plus slightly more fat due to the coconut. Here's a closer look at the Nutrition Facts for the Peanut Butter Fudge Flavor:

• 170 calories

• 8g fat

• 4g saturated fat

• 5mg cholesterol

• 140mg sodium

• 11g carbohydrates

• 1g fiber

• <1g sugars

• 3g sugar alcohol

• 14g protein

• 90mg calcium (6% daily value)

• 0.6mg iron (4% DV)

• 100mg potassium (2% DV)

These bars are relatively low in calories and high in protein, which might help keep you full between meals. But they are high in saturated fat and sodium and are low in fiber, which might not make them the best choice for regular consumption.

"These bars have less than 1 gram of added sugar, which means they get most of their sweetness from sugar alcohols. Sugar alcohols like erythritol, xylitol, mannitol and sorbitol can draw water into your gut, and they contain undigestible compounds that may lead to digestive distress if eaten in excess," says EatingWell's nutrition editor, Jessica Ball, M.S., RD. "Plus, you can give yourself a collagen boost without splurging on expensive supplements. Whole foods rich in the amino acids proline and glycine, like bone broth, skin-on chicken and sardines, can help naturally increase your body's collagen production. Also, be sure to add in foods that are high in vitamin C, a nutrient that helps your body build collagen."

Now, let's take a closer look at the ingredients list which, in our opinion, is just as important as the Nutrition Facts label. We'll look again at the Peanut Butter Fudge Flavor:

Protein blend (bovine collagen peptides, milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate, whey protein hydrolysate), dark chocolate coating (maltitol, vegetable fat, cocoa powder, sunflower lecithin, natural flavor), glycerin, peanut butter, whey protein crisps (whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, tapioca starch, calcium carbonate, sunflower lecithin), water, peanuts, cacao mass, sunflower oil, cocoa butter, sea salt, sunflower lecithin, maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp) root powder, maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) berry powder, natural flavors, rosemary extract, monk fruit extract

Those with a dairy or peanut allergy or intolerance should steer clear from this bar. Otherwise, it's free of gluten, soy and other common allergens. It's worth noting that the bar includes maca, a Peruvian root that might have antioxidant properties, along with maqui, an antioxidant-rich berry found in Chile and Argentina that may have anti-inflammatory effects. That said, there are ingredients, like sugar alcohols and nonnutritive sweeteners, that give us pause.

"While this bar might help you increase your protein intake, it is a highly processed food and it comes at a high price point," adds Ball. "You can absolutely achieve healthy skin, hair and nails and meet your protein needs by relying on whole foods instead. If you can afford it and want to try Aniston's new protein and collagen bar, enjoy it in moderation similar to any other processed snack."