We taste-tested venture-backed protein snacks. The verdict? Mostly 'meh'.

A journalist and a 10-year-old co-taster raided a Target store to sample a selection of high-protein snacks and drinks from venture-backed food startups. The products ranged from vanilla bean frozen desserts packing 30 grams of protein to fizzy protein sodas with 10 grams per can, all aiming to make hitting protein goals as convenient as grabbing a candy bar.

The tasting panel found most products were technically edible but rarely delicious, with the frozen dessert earning points for texture while the protein soda was deemed something you'd only drink on a medically-mandated clear fluids diet. The takeaway? The quest for a tasty, convenient protein hit continues, proving that even venture capital can't always buy a great flavor.