There are hundreds of different protein bars being sold in today’s market. Some of these bars are advertised as healthy snacks, others as a replacement for a meal.
Protein bars can be a useful snack for anyone, whether you are an athlete, gym goer, or simply need a quick nutrient packed snack.
Not all protein bars are created equal, some are made with healthier ingredients and some contain more protein and calories.
What to Consider When Buying a Protein Bars
The qualities you should consider when buying a protein bar depends on what your goals are.
Are you trying to eat clean whole foods, do you want a protein packed snack after your workout, or do you simply want a sweet snack without all the guilt?
With that being said, it's best to avoid artificial ingredients in your protein bars as much as possible, choosing a bar with nutrient dense ingredients will be best for you.
Choosing protein bars that are high in fiber will keep you feeling full for a longer period of time. Protein makes you feel full, so choosing a bar with higher amounts of protein will also keep you feeling full for a longer time.
Choosing a bar with complex carbs will better provide you with steady energy to go through your day. The price you pay for a protein bar depends greatly on the ingredients it contains and the brand you are buying.
The 5 Best Protein Bar Brands
Option 1: Kind Protein Bars
There are more than 24 different flavors of Kind protein bars to suit anyones taste. Kinds Peanut Butter, Peanut, and Honey flavor has 250 calories, 18 grams of fat, 17 grams of carbs, and 12 grams of protein.
This brand of protein bars has no genetically engineered ingredients.
The main source of protein in the bar comes mainly from a soy protein isolate.
Kind protein bars also have a healthy source of fat coming mostly from peanuts. A pack of 12 bars cost $21.99 on the Kind website.
Option 2: RXR Bar
RXRBAR has over 15 different flavors of protein bars on their website. All RXR bars have a base of egg whites, dates, and nuts.
Each bar has 12 grams of protein. What makes RXR bars so great is the minimal ingredients used to make them.
The dates in RXR bars provide a great source of carbs to provide energy for the body. The egg whites in the bar are a clean complete protein source.
The nuts in RXRBAR’s provide not only healthy protein, but also healthy fats. RXRBAR use only natural flavors in their protein bars, including spices, fruits, and plants. RXRBAR sells variety packs on their website, one variety pack of 12 protein bars costs $28.99.
Option 3: LARABAR Protein Bars
LARABAR is known for making protein and breakfast bars with clean ingredients, mostly fruit and nuts. These bars come in many different flavors, the protein, fat, and carb content changes from flavor to flavor.
The Peanut Butter Chocolate flavor has only four ingredients, Dates, Peanuts, Chocolate Chips, and Sea Salt.
This particular flavor contains 5 grams of protein, 12 grams of fat, and 24 grams of carbs. LARABAR’s do not contain a high amount of protein, however, they are a great and healthy snack or meal replacement.
I would not recommend LARABAR if your only goal is to consume a quick high protein snack. A 12 pack of LARABAR protein bars costs $13.29.
Option 4: ONE Protein Bars
ONE protein bars come in 14 different flavors on their website. Each bar has 20 grams of protein and one gram of sugar. Each flavor has a different carb and fat content.
The S’mores flavored protein bar has 7 grams of fat and 25 grams of carbs.
A majority of the protein in the bar comes from a milk protein isolate and a whey protein isolate. ONE bars have a slightly longer list of ingredients compared to other competitors.
The Smores’s flavored bar contains vegetable fiber to keep you full for a longer amount of time. The bars also contain almond butter, a healthy source of fat. A 12 pack of ONE protein bars costs anywhere from $23 to $29 dollars.
Option 5: Aloha Protein Bars
There are 23 different flavors of Aloha protein bars to choose from. These protein bars are made up of plant based protein and are 100% USDA organic.
The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bar is vegan, gluten free, and has 14 grams of plant based protein.
The bar has 11 grams of fat and 25 grams of carbs. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar contains sunflower seed butter, a healthy source of fat. These protein bars are a great option for someone who is vegan or vegetarian.
A 12 pack of Aloha Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough protein bars is 32.99 on the Aloha website.
The Bottom Line: Best Protein Bars (H2)
At the end of the day, any protein bar will help you reach your protein goals and build muscle, however, investing in cleaner options could help your health in the long run.
While these are some of the healthiest protein bars on the market, there is nearly endless options to choose from. Whats important is that you find a bar that you not only enjoy, but aligns with your fitness or health goals.