Protein bars are a quick, delicious, and nutritious way to meet your protein requirements during the day. Unfortunately, many on-the-go products are typically full of sugar and additives. Luckily, we’ve researched and tested the best protein bars that’ll get you closer to your goals. Below, you’ll find only the highest-rated products for different purposes, so keep on scrolling for the details.
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Whether you have celiac disease or you just want to avoid consuming gluten, you’ll want to choose a high-quality gluten-free bar like the KIND Protein Bar. If you’re looking for good snacks, protein bars like this can keep you full without causing gastrointestinal issues. The KIND Protein Bars are made with quality plant protein, and each 50 g bar has 12 g of protein per serving.
Now, we’ll admit, the KIND bars are calorie-dense (230–250 calories, depending on the flavor). So, if you’re looking to cut calories to lose weight, snacking mindlessly on these bars is not a good idea. However, if you’re looking for a healthy and tasty high-protein alternative to sweets, you’ll enjoy this nutrient-dense treat.
These KIND bars are available in four delicious flavors. When looking at the protein bars comparison, we noticed that all of them are good sources of fiber. That means that one bar will keep you sated for a long time.
Besides that, the glycemic index is low, so it won’t cause blood spikes throughout the day, making you feel tired and lethargic. Unfortunately, these bars are not suitable for people with nut allergies.
When it comes to building muscle mass, you’ll want to be eating in a caloric surplus. The Grenade Carb Killa High Protein Bars are a great choice if you’re looking for fast, noticeable results since they’re packed with protein—an impressive 21 grams per bar.
That being said, these are not only healthy, carbohydrate-low treats, but they’re also good–tasting protein bars. You can find them in five yummy flavors, including Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
Unfortunately, some flavors are so popular that they quickly sell out (for instance, the Dark Chocolate Raspberry is hard to find). Luckily, the restocks are frequent, so we recommend staying patient.
Besides their high protein, low carb, and low sugar content, these bars are also gluten-free. However, if you’re strictly avoiding gluten, you might want to look elsewhere. Namely, these bars are manufactured in a facility that handles gluten. On the bright side, people with minor sensitivities will enjoy these.
Overall, these are good protein bars for weight gain, thanks to the high-calorie and protein content. Of course, you can consume them on a weight loss regime too, if you manage your daily caloric intake well.
If your main goal is to shed pounds, it’s a good idea to get a high-fat protein bar that will keep you full for hours. The think! Keto Protein bars pack 10 grams of quality protein, 14 grams of fat, with only 4 grams of net carbs and a mere 2 grams of sugar. This means that you can freely snack on them if you’re following a high-fat, ketogenic diet and that they will perfectly complement your favorite keto shake.
Not only are these top protein bars for weight loss, but they’re also suitable for satisfying your sweet tooth. They’re available in three flavor variations, all of which are based on peanut butter. So, if you’re a big fan of peanut butter, you’ll love these bars. However, if you’re looking for other flavor varieties like coconut or strawberry, these might not be a good choice for you. That being said, the bars are incredibly delicious and on the firmer side.
It’s also important to note that the protein bars don’t contain any artificial sweeteners and potentially harmful GMOs. However, they’re made with milk and soy, so if you have any sensitivities to these ingredients, you might want to look for an alternative.
Overall, these are good protein bars for weight loss, especially if you’re into peanut butter flavors. They’re suitable for people who want to satisfy cravings without spiking blood sugar levels.
The Power Crunch Protein Energy Bars are an excellent choice if you’re looking for outstanding taste with great macros. Unlike many similar brands of protein bars, this nutritious product contains 13 grams of top-quality hydrolyzed whey protein. Like the name says, it’s a crunchy wafer bar filled with rich cream.
Now, we do wish the protein content was higher, especially in a 220-calorie protein bar. Nevertheless, the bars do contain a decent amount of fat (13 grams), and they’re relatively low on carbohydrates (11 grams). The sugar content is relatively low too (5 grams total), so it will give you a good surge of energy.
If you’re looking for good, healthy protein bars to snack on before or after your workout, the Power Crunch Protein Energy Bars are a wise choice. Like we’ve mentioned, they’re available in a wide array of heavenly flavors, ranging from Triple Chocolate to Salted Caramel and Red Velvet.
On the downside, the ingredients list could be shorter. However, it’s easy to let it slide due to the fantastic taste and quality. If you’re looking for an alternative to regular protein bars and prefer the crunchy texture, this might be perfect for you.
Without question, women love the Alani Nu Protein Bars, not only because of the cute packaging. Sure, the packaging is ultra cute, but the quality of the ingredients is what takes the cake.
These top healthy protein bars are multi-layered, and they pack 16 grams of protein and just 170 calories. This means that these bars are suitable for women trying to lose weight but maintain muscle mass. Since each bar has only 5 grams of sugar, you won’t experience an energy crash. Plus, we also liked that they’re gluten-free, GMO-free, and low in carbohydrates.
The flavor options are impressive too. Although the flavor variety is not as impressive as that offered by the Power Crunch Protein Energy Bars, Alani ensured they were delectable. Customers enjoy the Confetti Cake and Munchies variants the most, but all of them are bursting with flavor.
On the downside, these protein bars tend to be very sweet. Customers with a sweet tooth will enjoy this. However, if you prefer a milder taste, these might not be for you. All in all, these top–selling protein bars are a budget-friendly way to cut down on calories while keeping protein intake high. They’re great as pre-workout fuel or a post-workout snack.
Protein is a vital part of a well-balanced diet. The human body needs protein to function correctly, carry oxygen throughout the body into the blood, build muscle, and more. However, in today’s world, we tend not to get enough protein in our diets. Besides prioritizing your nutrition and including more wholesome foods like chicken breast, fatty fish, and plant-based protein sources, you can turn to supplements, the most popular being high-quality paleo protein powders, keto shakes, and of course, protein bars. Unfortunately, protein bars can be sugary candy in disguise. Here’s how to find good protein bars.
Firstly, you’ll want to look at the protein content of your bar. Take a close look at nutritional info and check how many grams of protein you’ll get per serving. Typically, top protein bars will have anywhere from 10 g to 21 g of protein per serving, but some may have even more. You’ll also want to look for whey protein, or soy, pea, and rice if you’re a vegan looking to boost your nutrition.
Our list includes mostly carb-conscious bars with minimal sugar and additives. Many protein bars brands, like think!, feature only 4 g of net carbs and 2 g of sugar per serving, making them a superb option for keto dieters, but other brands cater to people looking for more carbs. Remember, carbohydrates aren’t bad. In fact, they’re a good source of energy. Just be mindful that you’re not consuming too much sugar.
Protein bars that taste good can be full of sugar and potentially harmful artificial sweeteners. Of course, the protein bars featured on our list are entirely safe and only use the highest quality available sugar substitutes. However, we recommend taking note of the nutritional info on the packaging.
Look for ingredients such as mannitol, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose (all of which are popular artificial sweeteners). Although artificial sweeteners aren’t necessarily “bad,” they can cause digestive issues for certain people, including diarrhea or constipation.
When it comes to regulating your calorie consumption, you’ll also want to be mindful of the calorie content of your favorite protein bars. We’ve featured the healthiest protein bars of 2022 for both fat loss and muscle gain on this list. If you want to shed pounds, you’ll want to choose lower-calorie options like the think! Keto Protein Bars or the Alani Nu Protein Bars. Whereas, we recommend something like the Grenade Carb Killa High Protein Bars for muscle building. To check the calories of the top–rated protein bars, you’ll want to look at their lists of ingredients.
If you’re vegan, you’ll want to purchase a protein bar made without animal-derived ingredients. Luckily, you can choose from various protein bars made with peas, soy, rice, or hemp protein. On the other hand, people who follow diets like paleo will want to look for a natural, unrefined product. For instance, our protein bars review features the KIND Protein Bars, which can be categorized as paleo.
Even some of the most popular protein bars aren’t better than cheap candy, so you must be careful when choosing your snack. Our top choices include the healthiest, best-tasting, most nutritious protein bars on the market, so whichever protein bar you choose from this list, you’ll be one step closer to your goals.
Yes, protein bars are good, but only if you’re consuming top-quality ones. So, try to avoid protein bars with added sugars and artificial ingredients and follow our guide to find the most suitable one for you.
You’ll be fine if you eat a protein bar every day. However, make sure you consume quality protein bars without harmful ingredients and tons of sugar. You’ll also want to focus on your diet and workout regime to achieve your desired goals.
All of the protein bars on our list are equally worthwhile and delicious. However, choosing the best protein bars depends significantly on your needs, lifestyle, and overall health condition.