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When you don’t have time to sit down and eat a full meal, will be out all day and want to ensure you have some fast, healthy snacks on hand, or have a busy, active lifestyle that requires some extra nutritious supplementation, a protein bar is a great option.
Protein bars or nutrition bars have come a long way and have all but eliminated that chalky, less-than-pleasant aftertaste that used to be associated with them. Featured below are some of our favorite, protein bar multi-packs that are high in quality, come in a ton of tasty flavors, and make the perfect on-the-go snack.
Our options also include soft and chewy bars, crispy-textured ones reminiscent of a Rice Krispy treat, and a real food-based bar that has only nine ingredients or less.
Comparing the Top Protein Bar of 2024
Balanced Tiger Protein Bars — Best Overall
Elevate your snacking experience with the Balanced Tiger Protein Bars, a powerhouse of nutrition designed to fuel your body with premium ingredients. Packed with a remarkable 1500mg of functional mushrooms including Lion's Mane, Chaga, Reishi, and Cordyceps, these bars are a protein powerhouse. Experience sustained energy and enhanced muscle recovery, making it an ideal choice for fitness enthusiasts and those with an active lifestyle.
The Balanced Tiger Protein Bars cater to a diverse range of dietary needs. Crafted with rice and pea protein, they are not only high in protein but also vegan and gluten-free. This adaptogenic blend not only supports immune function but also contributes to mental clarity, ensuring that every bite enhances both your physical and mental well-being. Embrace this best overall snack that aligns with your values and dietary preferences, providing a delicious and guilt-free treat.
Pros
- Great tasting bars
- Packed with protein
- Perfect fit for a purse or workout bag
Cons
- Texture could be improved
Pure Protein Bars — Effective Ingredients
These protein bars have everything you need for a great-tasting and effective bar – high-quality protein, low sugar content, and great taste. This box of 18 bars lets you choose from a variety of flavors including chocolate chip, chocolate deluxe, and chocolate peanut butter and all contain 20 grams of protein that can help fuel a busy day. Stash a bar in your purse whenever you will be out all day, or keep one in your office or gym bag so you always have a nutritious snack on hand.
Pros
- Grab a bar about an hour prior to a workout to provide carbs and protein for energy and lean muscle support
Cons
- If you don’t like whey protein, another option might be better
No Cow Protein Bar — Best Flavors
Each dipped bar carries a special blend of pea protein and rice and is dipped in plant-based rich chocolate with no compromise to the bar's macro profile. With flavors reminiscent of many traditional American candies and delights, No Cow dipped bars elevate taste to the next level. Each bar has over 20g of plant-based protein, only 1g of sugar, and 3-5g of net carbohydrates. This pack of bars includes six flavors: chocolate salted caramel, chocolate sea salt, chocolate mint cookie, chocolate peanut butter cup, chocolate coconut almond, and chocolate sprinkled donut. The bars are gluten-free, GMO-free, on-GMO project verified, refined sugar-free, soy-free, and kosher certified.
Pros
- Great variety of flavors
- A well-balanced and consistent macro profile.
- Offers rich taste
Cons
- Has inconsistent texture
Quest Nutrition Protein Bar — Keto-Friendly Formula
This pack of protein bars contains 12 decadent mocha chocolate chip flavored bars with custom-made chocolate chunks and mocha cookie bits throughout. This bar contains 20 grams of energy-sustaining protein and a whopping 14 grams of fiber to help keep you full. They have no added sugar, are keto-friendly, and are sweetened with a combination of stevia and erythritol.
Pros
- These bars are caffeine and gluten-free
Cons
- The protein used in this bar are dairy-based
BSN Protein Bar — Honorable Mention
If a more unique texture is what you crave, this protein bar has a light, crispy texture filled with great flavor in each bite. Available in a bunch of decadent options, this bar contains 20 grams of whey-based protein and 4 grams of sugar or less. Eat this bar before or after a workout, as an in-between snack, or simply whenever you crave a guilt-free bite on the go.
Pros
- These bars taste more like a Rice Krispy treat than a protein bar
Cons
- These bars do not have a lot of fiber
RXBAR Protein Bar — Editor's Pick
Made with only real food ingredients, this protein bar is a great anytime high protein snack. All flavor options contain only 9 ingredients or less, have 12 grams of high-quality protein made from egg whites, and each bar includes 4-5 grams of all-important fiber. Whether you eat it as a quick breakfast, mid-day snack, or pre or post-workout, this bar is as decadent as it is wholesome.
Pros
- These bars are gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30 compliant
Cons
- These bars may have a slightly chewy texture
CLIF BAR Energy Bars — Excellent Quality
These OG protein bars are best known as the ultimate performance energy bar. They contain an ideal mix of protein, fat, and carbs to sustain an active lifestyle and can be consumed before and during any long-lasting, moderate-intensity activities. Each flavor has between 9 and 11 grams of protein and is made with wholesome, non-GMO ingredients like nuts, almonds, dried fruits, and organic rolled oats.
Pros
- This bar has a soft and chewy texture
Cons
- These bars are not gluten-free
Zoneperfect Protein Bar — Also Consider
With 10-15 grams of protein, these protein bars are ideal to help you feel fuller longer. In addition, these bars are a good source of 19 vitamins and minerals including antioxidants for immune support, and come in 10+ amazing flavors that are scientifically made to have just the right balance of flavor and nutrition.
Pros
- These bars contain no artificial sugars
Cons
- These bars may be slightly higher in sugar
Buying Guide: Protein Bars
If you’re a gym freak or health enthusiast, you probably have a good idea of the variety of protein bars available out there. Some promise you long-lasting strength, while others pledge to make weight loss easier. Some are healthy, and others are just too sweet to be called healthy. So which ones do you choose, and how do you choose the right protein bars for your fitness regime?
We bring you this detailed guide on the best protein bars out there with simple tricks to learn how to choose the best one and avoid sweet treats in the name of protein bars.
Do I really need a protein bar?
Protein bars are convenient packages of nutrients and energy that your body requires for building muscle and staying in shape. A protein bar brings you all the important nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fat, sugar, and fiber in a single serving that you can easily munch on after your gym session.
The main objective of a protein bar is to provide your body with the protein that it needs to build, maintain and regulate your tissues, muscles, and other organs. Proteins are also carriers of nutrients within cells, and without enough protein, your cells and tissues will not be healthy enough to work properly.
You only need a protein bar if you don't have another convenient source of protein like grilled chicken at your disposal. If you do, you probably won't need a protein bar.
How Do I Know if a Protein Bar Is Healthy?
There are different varieties of protein bars and snacks for different needs. Someone who needs more energy should be looking for a high-carb protein bar. However, before considering any specific needs and requirements, you must check for these basic rules that tell you whether your protein bar is really healthy or not.
Amount of protein
The first thing to check for in a protein bar is the quantity of protein present. An ideal protein bar should at least have 10 grams of protein in it. Any less, and it's useless to call it a protein bar. This is because a protein bar’s main aim is to provide your body with the required amount of protein before or after a workout. For bodybuilders and people interested in weight gain, you may want to look for at least 20 grams of protein in your protein bar.
Sugar content
You will find that an important ingredient of a protein bar is sugar. While sugar is important for a whole, healthy diet, how much you consume greatly affects your health. A good protein bar usually has around 6 to 8 grams of sugar. Some might have more, so make sure you read the labels carefully. Ensure that the amount of sugar in your protein bar never exceeds 15 grams, as that is basically a candy bar.
Fats
The next thing to check off your list is the amount of fat in a protein bar. The biggest no-no in protein bars is trans-fat. If your protein bar has any trans-fat, it automatically becomes unhealthy for you. On the other hand, it should never have more than 4 grams of saturated fat.
Calorie intake
This is the term that people usually confuse the other ingredients for. However, it is just as useful to know the calorie count of a protein bar as it is to know the number of carbs and protein. A good protein bar should never have more than 350 calories. Women usually require only 200 calories per bar, while men might go up to 300 per bar.
Are Protein Bars Really Convenient?
Are you wondering whether protein bars are as convenient as the world gives them credit for?
A protein bar combines all-important nutrients your body needs and puts them in a single package or bar that you can easily devour before or after your workout sessions. This is the definition of convenience as it reduces your need to properly plan a meal that encompasses all the important nutrients your body needs. Even nutrients that you wouldn't normally add to your diets, like minerals and fiber, are present in a protein bar ready for you to consume. This means that you get easy access to all the healthy nutrients your body requires without making any effort. Therefore, protein bars are quite convenient when delivering on their promise of managed diet and healthy nutrients.
What Should I Look For in a Protein Bar?
Now that you have a decent idea of what a good protein bar comprises and how it brings ease and convenience to your daily life let's take a look at some of the important things you need to consider to choose the best protein bar for your regime.
Portion size
The size of a protein bar also speaks for how much nutritional content it includes. A protein bar of fairly good size will have more nutrients than a smaller bar. This variety in content due to size is the reason why you should check the portion size of the protein bar you want to get. If it’s a large bar and has more than enough nutrients, you may want to split it into two portions that you eat at different times.
Ingredients
The second most important thing to check for is the label of ingredients. If your primary source of nutrients is anything other than protein, then your protein bar is as good as a candy bar. You can find the primary source by reading the ingredients and nutrient content on the bar. You can also use this information to ensure that you’re getting ample nutrients in your protein bar.
Sugar
Protein bars contain sugar in many different forms. They may contain sugar alcohol, maple syrup, and sweeteners added for enhanced taste. All of these count as sugars, and you must make sure that the sugar content in the protein bar does not exceed the recommended limit. The extra sugar content can get dangerous for your health and may result in weight gain and increased blood sugar.
