I picked up some Milton’s protein crackers at the Grocery Outlet to try out ($3.99 for a 120 gram box) and now I’m a fan. The price is higher than what I’d expect from the Grocery Outlet but then I checked online and a box normally sells for close to $10. Ten bucks seems like a lot to me but they are high in protein and protein costs more than carbs. Each box contains 3.6 servings, with each serving delivering 10 grams of plant-based protein.
I liked these crackers a lot and would definitely buy them again at $4 a box (not so sure at $10). I already buy Milton’s organic crackers so I was cautiously optimistic about these new Protein Crackers. But I was a little concerned about the flavor I bought – red chili – as I often find chili-flavored snacks to be either too hot or too sweet.
As luck would have it, my Red Chili crackers had a nicely balanced savory paprika flavor – not too hot and not sweet (zero added sugar). According to an article on USA Today, I picked a good flavor to try – Red Chili and Zesty Ranch flavors were rated A- while the Crispy Sea Salt and Everything varieties each scored a C. The texture of my Protein Crackers is very appealing: thin and crispy with a powdery surface, like a delicious cross between potato chips and cheese crackers.
A big selling point for me is that they make me feel satiated. I’m eating them as I write this, having skipped lunch, and it’s filling the gap nicely. I’ve previously reviewed Fitzels – high-protein pretzel snacks from Lenny and Larry and would rate Milton’s protein crackers in the same ballpark. Unlike Fitzels, Milton’s protein crackers are certified gluten-free.
Milton’s Protein Crackers: Ingredients and Nutrition Facts
Protein Crackers Red Chili, Ingredients: Milton’s Plant Protein Blend, Cassava Flour, Potato Starch, Sunflower And/Or Canola And/Or Safflower Oil (With Rosemary Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherols And/Or Ascorbyl Palmitate Added As Antioxidants), Red Chili Seasoning, Hulled Millet, Leavening (Baking Soda, Monocalcium Phosphate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate), Yeast, Sunflower And/Or Canola Lecithin, Monk Fruit Juice Powder, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Baker’s Yeast, Natural Flavor.
The protein blend is a mix of four plant proteins: fava bean protein, rice protein, sunflower protein, and pea protein. I’m never a big fan of products that list and/or in their ingredient list – in this case, vegetable oils. Commit to something! My preference would be canola oil, ideally organic. The products are non-GMO certified which does help avoid some of the chemical arsenal of Bayer et al.
Nutritionally (see below) a serving of 30 crackers (33 grams) provides 10 grams of protein, 17 g carbs of which 3 g is fiber, zero sugars, and 3 g fat (zero saturated fat). A serving also provides 10% of your recommended daily iron intake.
Ethical rating for Milton’s Protein Crackers
I’m rating Milton’s Protein Crackers 4 Green Stars for social and environmental impact, based on the following:
- Milton’s is owned by Milton’s delicatessen – a 31-year old neighborhood restaurant in San Diego. Milton’s has long been involved in the community, supporting a range of causes. Hopefully this continues as they transition to new owners this year.
- The main ingredients, proteins from legumes and grains and starches from cassava and potato, are among the foods with the lowest environmental footprints. Shelf-stable foods made from legumes and grains help expand the range of sustainable proteins that are available to us.
- The adoption of plant-rich diets helps us mitigate climate change, food scarcity, animal cruelty, deforestation, and other major environmental threats.
- Ingredients are not organic but they are non-GMO certified. I’m not against GMO’s but avoiding GMO crops does help avoid destructive agrochemicals (such as neonics) that are often bundled with GMO seeds.
- Milton’s doesn’t provide much detail on ingredient sourcing or company operations.
- Packaging is a recyclable cardboard box (no FSC-certified logo) and a light inner bag.
Summary scores (out of 5) for Milton’s Protein Crackers:
- 4 gold stars for quality and value (depending on the price paid)
- 4 Green Stars for social and environmental impact, depending on the flavor.
What do you think? Comment below with your rating if you like!
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Here are a couple of GSP articles relevant to this post:
Grocery Outlet Ethical Bargains 
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