Protein bars are one of the popular snacks designed as a convenient source of nutrition. They are enjoyed as a quick snack to add protein and other nutrients to an active and busy lifestyle.
Varieties of protein bars are available in the market. It will help if you acknowledge the fact that not all protein bars are equal. In this article, we list the best protein bars for you.
Before we start with the list, let us review the benefits of protein bars and the best way to incorporate them into our everyday diet routine.
Benefits Of Protein Bar
High protein bars are the quick and convenient eating solution for athletes, bodybuilders and weight watchers to satisfy energy, health and dietary goals. Below are the benefits of protein bars:
- Healthy Way to Get Recommended Daily Intake: Research shows, most of us special females are not getting the required daily protein intake due to the hectic and busy schedule. A compact and readymade protein bar that does not require refrigeration and takes little space in your bag or purse is a handy option to get recommended daily protein intake.
- Effective Meal Substitute: Protein nutrition bars help reduce calorie intake and control the portions. Protein bars balance regular food servings and prevent a rapid rise in the level of blood glucose.
- Curbs Appetite: It keeps away the unwanted craving and helps you feel full for long.
- Potential Before and After Workout Food – The right ratio of protein and carbohydrate in the bar provides you with the energy to go through the training or workout. In addition, it provides you with post-workout nutrition that the body requires to build new muscles and fix the minute muscle tears that happen in the course of exercise.
How Much Is Right
Depending upon your weight, goal and lifestyle, the carbohydrate to protein ratio in protein bars should be ideally as follows:
- For fat loss – 1:2
- To build muscle mass – 2:1
- For high endurance activities and marathons – 4:1
The minimum per serving protein content in the bar should be at least 10 grams.
The ideal calorie in protein bar varies from below 200 to 400 depending on whether you are eating the bar after a workout or replacing it with a snack. Also, it depends on your weight, gender and goals.
The selection of protein bars should be made depending on the percentage of fat, sugar, additives, calorie and other ingredients. If you do not want yourself to down akin to a candy bar, better read the labels carefully. Below is the list of the best protein bars to make selection easy and save your time.
Selecting Best Protein Bars
The list is made according to specific ingredient and nutrient criteria given below:
- 8 grams of minimum protein – We have chosen the protein bars that have at least 8 grams of protein.
- 13 grams of maximum sugar – The best protein bars do not have more than 13 grams of sugar.
- 3 grams minimum fibre – We opted for protein bars with at least 3 grams of fibre. However, caution has been taken not to include bars loaded with isolated fibres that may cause stomach discomfort.
Our ingredients criteria for the selection of the best protein bars include:
High-quality protein sources – The protein is from high quality concentrates and isolates such as whey protein and whole food ingredients such as antibiotic-free meat or nuts. Egg white, grass-fed meat, nut butter, seeds and nuts are high-quality protein sources.
Natural sweeteners – Natural sources of sugar such as fruit or cane sugar is a better choice than artificial refined sugar.
Healthy fats – Our body require fats to absorb certain nutrients and to keep us full for long. Our priority while selecting a protein bar is that they contain healthy fats from seeds and nuts rather than vegetable oils as binders and fillers.
Whole grain ingredient – Whole grain cereals and foods are always the best choices, as they do not spike blood sugar levels.
Little or no isolated or synthetic fibre – Isolated fibres cause abdominal discomfort such as gas, bloating and abdominal pain. We have selected protein bars that have low to no isolated fibres.
Low sugar alcohol – Although the popularity of sugar alcohol has risen as low-calorie food. Nevertheless, the dietitians advise against consuming large amounts of sugar alcohols.
5 Best Protein Bars
1. ALOHA Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Plant-Based Protein
1 BAR (56 G) contains:
- 14 g protein
- 220 calories
- 10 g fat (3 g saturated fat)
- 25 g carbs (14 g fiber
- 4 g sugar)
- 95 mg sodium
INGREDIENTS: Peanuts, tapioca fiber, protein blend (brown rice protein, pumpkin seed protein), chocolate chips (cane sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter*, vanilla powder), vegetable glycerine, roasted pumpkin seeds, sea salt.
Include this bar to your diet for muscle gain and toned body. Carbs present in this bar helps the protein get into the muscle fibre. It contains USDA organic plant-based protein and nothing artificial. The taste is great. It is a gluten-free, Non-GMO, stevia free, dairy-free, high fibre protein bar with 100% whole food ingredients.
It is a tasty and nutritious snack for vegetarians, vegans and paleo-friendly diet. It makes a perfect meal replacement snack or a breakfast to help you fuel or refuel pre or post-exercise or workouts.
- 1 BAR (28 G) contains:
- 8 g protein
- 70 calories
- 280 mg sodium
- 35 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat)
- 4 g carbs (3 g sugar, 0 g fiber)
INGREDIENTS: Organic grass-fed meat, organic dried cranberries, organic cane sugar, organic sunflower seeds, sea salt, organic molasses, organic spices, cultured celery powder, organic garlic powder, lactic acid starter culture.
It is a meat bar and the best option for non-vegetarians. It is rich in anti-inflammatory Omega 3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid.
It is gluten-free green free and does not contain any artificial ingredients. Besides it is certified USDA organic.
3. Bulletproof Collagen Protein Bar
1 BAR (45 G) contains:
- 12 g protein220 calories
- 14 g fat (6 g saturated fat)
- 14 g carbs (2 g sugar, 5 g fibre)
- 115 mg sodium
INGREDIENTS: Organic cashew butter, grass-fed collagen protein, chicory root fiber, Bulletproof XCT oil powder (caprylic and capric acid triglycerides from highly refined coconut and/or palm kernel oil, tapioca dextrin, tapioca), organic cashews, Bulletproof Brain Octane oil (caprylic acid triglycerides from highly refined coconut oil), organic coconut oil, lab-tested vanilla beans, sea salt, stevia. Contains: Cashews, Coconut.
This melt in mouth shortbread cookie with real vanilla of flavour is a treat to your taste buds.
It is best keto-friendly protein bar. It contains grass-fed collagen derived from marine and bovine sources. Boost the production of collagen in the body that benefits hair, joints, nails, skin and gut health. It is rich in MCT and XCT oil that increases energy expenditure and prevents long-term weight gain. It is a great grain-free, gluten free e, non-GMO food that keep you full for long time.
4. Primal Kitchen Almond Spice Protein Bars
1 BAR (38 G) contains:
- 200 calories
- 8 g protein
- 9 g carb (2 g sugar, 2 g fiber)
- 16 g fat (8 g saturated fat)
- 115 mg sodium
INGREDIENTS: Almonds, coconut oil, isomalto-oligosaccharides (from Tapioca), eggs, egg whites, flaxseed, honey, water, cinnamon, sunflower lecithin, sea salt, organic spices such as: ginger, nutmeg, organic monk fruit extract, organic rose extract, nuts (almond, coconut).
It is one of the best bar if you want to lose weight and maintain the level of blood sugar. Most of its flavour especially the cinnamon one improves fasting blood sugar levels. It is paleo and keto-friendly. It is gluten free, grain free and soy free. It provides proteins and fats from cage free eggs, nut coconut oil and flaxseeds.
5. CLIF Whey Protein Snack Bars
1 BAR (56 G) contains:
- 14 g protein
- 250 calories
- 11 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat)
- 200 mg sodium
- 25 g carbs (5 g sugar,3 g fiber)
INGREDIENTS: Whey protein concentrate, organic cashew butter, organic tapioca syrup, organic cashews, vegetable glycerine, organic high oleic sunflower oil, isolate pea protein, rice flour, organic tea and sugar palm kernel oil, rolled oats, sea salt, coca, non-fat dry milk sunflower lecithin, mixed tocopherols. May contain tree nuts wheat and soy.
It is crispy, crunchy protein bar rich in creamy cashew butter without artificial sweeteners for sugar alcohols.
Never judge a protein bar by its wrapper, better read the label. The best protein bar list discussed this article would make it easy for you to make a healthy choice. Careful selection of protein bars between the meals curb your appetite, and if you are trying to gain weight can pad the calorie intake. Keep in mind that protein bars are not a replacement for meals as they may lack the required nutrients and antioxidants available in vegetables, whole grains and fresh fruit. Snacks should be wisely eaten only as a part of a complete and well-rounded diet. We suggest you working along with your nutritionist to figure out which protein bar is a better option for you depending upon whether your goal is to gain weight or lose weight.