Hey you. Yes—you, the label-checking, health-conscious, never-settling human who’s probably tried every protein bar on the market and walked away disappointed (or worse—bloated). What if this is the moment that actually changes everything? No hype. No fluff. Just real talk about real food made by real people who get it—because they’ve lived it.
Welcome to the Five Plus Protein journey. A brand that didn’t start in a boardroom or marketing agency but from a personal quest for something better. Something cleaner. Something that could make you feel good. And today you’re about to find out why taking a closer look at these powerful protein bars could be one of the best decisions you make for your health—and your taste buds.
Let’s dive in.
The Search for Something Real
You’ve seen them—those glossy, over-hyped protein bars that promise the world and deliver a sugar crash, gas, or that all-too-familiar chalky mouthfeel. It’s the same story, different wrapper: added sugar, ingredients you can’t pronounce, digestive distress, and zero excitement.
Joel Montesano, the founder and CEO of Five Plus Protein, felt your pain. A fitness enthusiast, Navy veteran, and lifelong supplement user, Joel reached a breaking point. He was tired of navigating between flavorless “healthy” bars and candy-like sugar bombs. And more importantly, he knew there had to be a better way to fuel your body—without sacrificing your health or gut.
He wasn’t alone.
Bridget Grover, a Physician Assistant and personal trainer, saw firsthand how inflammatory foods and poor dietary choices wreak havoc on the body, especially in vulnerable populations. Lynda Montesano, co-founder, a fitness instructor and designer with Lupus, lived the daily struggle of finding foods her body could actually tolerate.
Together, they did what most people only talk about—they created the solution.
What Makes Five Plus Protein Different?
Before we explore their mouthwatering bars (and trust me, we will get there), let’s pause and look at what’s not inside them. This is important.
No Added Sugar
You know that sugar high-crash combo we’ve all been burned by? Not here. These bars are naturally sweetened with a balanced blend of stevia and monk fruit. Zero added sugar means no energy spikes, no crashes, and no triggering those post-snack cravings that lead to “just one more” turning into a full-blown binge.
No Inflammatory Junk
If you’re battling autoimmune issues, inflammation, or want to feel better in your skin, this is huge! These bars avoid artificial ingredients and contain anti-inflammatory powerhouses like cacao, cinnamon, and turmeric. Foods can be healing or harmful—Five Plus chooses healing every time.
No Digestive Disasters
Raise your hand if a protein bar has ever left you bloated, gassy, or running to the bathroom. Now put it down—because you won’t need that here. Five Plus Protein uses easily digestible plant-based proteins like pea and almond, skipping problematic sources like whey, soy, and egg. The result? Protein your body uses, minus the drama.
Yes to Flavor. Yes to Texture
Here’s where the magic happens. Because none of that health talk means much if you can’t enjoy the bar. Five Plus Protein bars have an indulgent, smooth mouthfeel that makes eating healthy feel like a reward—not a sacrifice. Let’s Talk About the Bars.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip LAST Protein Bar
This is the bar that started it all—the “proof of concept” that turned heads and proved that you can have it all: taste, texture, and powerhouse ingredients.
Creamy natural peanut butter lays the foundation for this dreamy bar, layered with smooth vegan chocolate chips, cacao for its antioxidant punch, and spiced up with cinnamon and turmeric. It’s rich, but never overwhelming. Sweet, without the sugar. And every bite brings together nourishment and satisfaction like few bars ever have.
Let’s not forget what’s inside:
Pea protein – highly digestible and gentle on your gut
All-natural peanut butter – protein-packed and delicious
MCT oil – for clean, sustained energy
Cacao, cinnamon & turmeric – inflammation’s worst enemies
This isn’t just a snack—it’s a statement. A bar that says, “I care about what goes into my body, and I won’t settle for less.”
Café Mocha Latte LAST Protein Bar
Launched in May 2025, this new favorite is already turning caffeine lovers into devoted fans. Think of it as your morning latte—upgraded.
With the same stellar base of pea protein (now teamed up with almond protein), this bar takes things to another level with cacao nibs, coffee fruit extract, cashew butter, and cocoa powder. The addition of caffeine (about a cup of coffee’s worth) makes it the perfect grab-and-go fuel for busy mornings, intense workouts, or that dreaded afternoon slump.
Highlights include:
Caffeine from coffee fruit extract – clean energy, no crash
Cacao nibs & cocoa – for rich flavor and cognitive support
Cashew butter – creamy texture and a boost of healthy fats
Spices like cinnamon and turmeric – anti-inflammatory and energizing
The Café Mocha Latte bar is a wake-up call in all the best ways. It’s indulgent, energizing, and designed to support your wellness goals, not sabotage them.
Five Plus Wellness: It’s a Lifestyle
These aren’t just bars. They’re part of a bigger movement—one that embraces aging well, healing through food, and living life with energy and purpose. The name Five Plus itself symbolizes something deeper: adding five or more good years to your life through conscious eating and sustainable wellness habits. That’s the vision behind everything they do.
Some easy wellness wins to pair with your Five Plus bars:
Stay hydrated – Combine your bar with water or a herbal tea to boost digestion and energy.
Move daily – Even a 15-minute walk helps reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar.
Ditch the added sugar – Start replacing your sweet tooth go-tos with Five Plus bars.
Journal your wellness journey – Pay attention to how your body feels with cleaner fuel.
Share the love – Introduce a friend to anti-inflammatory eating. Wellness is better together.
The Team That Walks the Talk
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the minds and hearts behind this movement.
Joel Montesano brings military precision, business savvy, and a fitness-first mindset to everything he touches. With over two decades in sales, marketing, and cyber leadership—not to mention a background in martial arts—his drive is matched only by his commitment to authenticity.
Bridget Grover, with her blend of science, healthcare, and hands-on fitness experience, knows how food affects the human body. Her medical knowledge makes sure Five Plus formulations don’t just taste good—they work.
Lynda Montesano channels her health battles into a mission-driven approach to food. With Lupus as her daily reality, she refuses to compromise. And neither should you.
Together, they’ve built a brand that redefines what a protein bar can—and should—be.
Ready to Change Your Snack Game Forever?
If you’ve been settling for less because you thought there wasn’t anything better—now you know. The truth is, most protein bars on the market weren’t made with you in mind. Five Plus Protein bars are different because the people behind them are just like you—hungry for more than just convenience. Hungry for real health. Real taste. Real progress.
Whether you’re an athlete, a busy parent, a wellness warrior, or just someone who wants to feel better and snack smarter—this is your moment.
So go ahead. Try the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. Or give the Café Mocha Latte a shot.
Because finding out more really can change your life.
And it starts with just one bite.