Protein bars are a lifesaver for the health-conscious snacker, whether you’re filling up for a workout, eating breakfast on the run, or combating midafternoon hunger pangs. These bars are packed with dietary supplements and play a vital role in exercise. Protein bars and protein powders offer two methods to improve your protein balance. Protein is essential to your fitness goals because it helps build and repair muscles after a workout. Protein fills you up and helps manage your blood glucose, whether you have diabetes or not. Hence, choosing a protein bar for a quick snack is a good option!
Protein bars can be found in any store. There are always the ones next to the cash register in every deli, cafe, and drugstore. You can also find them in vending machines. They’re even available in airplane snack areas. However, figuring out which protein bars contain healthy ingredients can be challenging. In a market full of clutter, many unhealthy choices are available. The low-quality proteins in these options contain added sugar, derailing all attempts to eat a healthy snack. Furthermore, most of these products contain harmful additives like artificial flavors.
Protein bars can be the ultimate solution to your healthy diet as they are a quick and delightful on-the-go snack, particularly if you need something sweet but don’t want to risk a blood sugar drop from other sugary snacks. It’s just a matter of choosing the healthiest, best-tasting protein bars. Whether sweet, fruity, or savory, there is something for every taste.
Protein Bars Explained
Many people view protein bars as candy bars, and with several on the market packed with added sugar, that assumption is understandable. However, that is by no means the case! Protein bars can be a sensible part of a balanced diet and an ideal meal for the on-the-go person.
It is convenient to grab the best-tasting protein bars for a snack. Typically, you don’t have to reheat them; they are suitable to carry with you wherever you go. Protein-rich bars can boost energy before your workout or help you recover afterward.
They can aid muscle growth and tissue regeneration in the body and give energy by being converted into glucose, which is then utilized by our cells rather than fat reserves being broken down.
Protein bars provide several advantages since many individuals struggle to fulfill their daily protein consumption targets from whole food alone due to time restrictions or a dislike of particular foods. They are ideal for folks who desire more from their balanced diet but don’t always know how to fit it into their hectic schedules.
The nutrients in most protein bars are well balanced and promote protein absorption in the body. Thanks to the low proportion of carbohydrates, many people use protein bars when following a low-carb diet. The diet lets you lose weight quickly without starving, making it much easier to keep going.
Who Are They Intended For?
Protein bars are primarily intended for athletes because going through intensive training means you must regularly supply your body with sufficient nutrients for your body to recover and adapt accordingly. Athletes cannot just eat anything; They must choose their food in a targeted manner to get the proper distribution of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
On average, a protein bar provides about 20 grams of protein. So, if you consume two protein bars regularly as a supplement to your diet, you already have covered 40 grams of your total protein needs. Including more protein in your diet may help you grow muscle because high protein diets help muscles repair themselves after exercise, driving additional muscular development.
Many individuals also use protein bars to help them lose weight because protein can have a “filling effect” on the body, reducing the desire to snack between meals or eat more than necessary at mealtimes.
Whether you’re an athlete looking to add to your fitness goals or just looking for something quick yet healthy to eat while on the go, the protein bars listed below are not only nutritious-tasting but also the be protein bars on the market!
The Best Tasting Protein Bars
Quest Nutrition Chocolate Brownie Protein Bars, High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Keto-Friendly, 12 Count
Anyone looking to drop carbs from their diet while getting the best quality protein should choose Quest Bars.
You will enjoy Chocolate Brownie Quest Bars if you are a chocoholic! Each bar contains 20 grams of protein, 6 grams of total fat, and 1 gram of sugar! They are also gluten-free, meaning they are not made with wheat, barley, rye, or any other foods that contain gluten.
With these healthy treats, you’ll enjoy all the convenience of a candy bar with the nutrition of a well-prepared meal. They’re delicious and convenient, packed with fiber to make you feel full as well as aid digestion and weight loss. As for taste, Quest does not use excess sugar but instead uses low-calorie sweeteners that do not spike blood sugar, are easily digestible, and do not compromise the taste of a chocolate brownie.
Not a fan of chocolate? Not a problem! Quest Nutrition has several protein bars to choose from, all packed with protein and gluten-free! So, whether you’re looking for a blueberry muffin, lemon cake, or s’mores, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth! Chocolate Brownie is just one of the best-tasting protein bars Quest Nutrition has to offer. Unfortunately, Quest Bars are not vegan-friendly, but a few are keto friendly.
RXBAR, Chocolate Sea Salt, Protein Bar, 1.83 Oz Bar (24 Total Bars), High Protein Snack, Gluten Free
A wholesome snack is always welcome at any time. RXBar is a natural food protein bar and is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or as a pre or post-workout snack. It can either be consumed as a whole or divided into two. It contains no cholesterol.
When you want to satisfy your protein needs and feel like you’re eating a decadent salted brownie, an RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bar is an answer. Their plain packaging tells you that each bar contains dates, nuts, and egg whites with no b.s. Fillers. It is gluten-free and kosher!
For those who are not fans of chocolate or sea salt, RXBar has many more flavors to choose from, all made with simple ingredients such as egg whites and dates, but no artificial nonsense. Each bar has at least 10 grams of protein and 210 calories, and the flavors range from the seasonal pumpkin spice to simple blueberry and even honey cinnamon peanut butter. RXBar also has vegan-friendly protein bars! You can bet they’re some of the best-tasting protein bars around!
Pure Protein Bars, High Protein, Nutritious Snacks to Support Energy, Low Sugar, Gluten-Free, Chocolate Peanut Butter, 1.76oz, 12 Pack
The Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter bars combine a high protein content with very little sugar while delivering great taste! It contains 20 grams of protein and only 2 grams of sugar!
Pure Protein has eight other flavors if chocolate peanut butter isn’t your favorite, and all of them are packed with 20 grams of protein, and the brand is dedicated to having 5 grams or less of sugar in all of their products. Pure Protein Bars are ideal for consumption before or after workouts. These bars are often fewer calories than a standard candy bar while maintaining a great taste.
You can fuel your active lifestyle with Pure Protein Bars. The protein blend in this bar is a high-quality blend designed for quick and sustained energy to satisfy your sweet tooth one bite at a time. These protein bars are gluten-free but not vegan or keto friendly.
KIND Protein Bars, Almond Butter Dark Chocolate, Gluten Free, 12g Protein
The KIND Almond Butter Dark Chocolate Protein Bars have 12 grams of protein but 8 grams of sugar. However, they are gluten-free, kosher, and have low sodium.
For those looking for flavor variety, KIND does have two non-chocolate flavors: Toasted Caramel Nut and Crunchy Peanut Butter. The Kind protein bars contain no gluten, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Since many consumers have been trying to eat more naturally, this has become an important selection criterion for some buyers.
No Cow High Protein Bars, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, 21g Plant-Based Vegan Protein, Keto, Low Sugar, Low Carb, Low Calorie, Gluten-Free, Naturally Sweetened, Dairy-Free, Non-GMO, Kosher, 12 Pack
There is now a vast selection of sports nutrition in every imaginable flavor. Still, some people with active or diet-conscious lifestyles have difficulty finding what’s right for them. Unfortunately, as noted in previous protein bar reviews, vegans have more difficulty finding options for the best-tasting protein bars.
No Cow is a brand dedicated to a plant-based, sustainable lifestyle. They are entirely vegan! The distinguishing feature of No Cow’s High Protein Bars sports nutrition is that it is completely free of animal substances, including whey protein, yet they still provide 20 grams of protein in each bar! There are a variety of flavors, from the seasonal pumpkin pie to cookies ‘n cream, to birthday cake, and more. No Cow protein bars are gluten-free but have high sugar content.
ONE 1 Protein Bars, Gluten-Free Protein Bars with 20g Protein and only 1g Sugar, Guilt-Free Snacking for High Protein Diets, 2 Oz, Birthday Cake, 12 Count
The One protein bar from One1Brands (formally known as Oh Yeah! Nutrition) is available in over fifteen assorted flavors. The one featured is Birthday Cake, which has 20 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar!
There’s a bar to satisfy your sweet tooth, whatever it may be, with several delectable options, including Birthday Cake, Chocolate Brownie, Blueberry Cobbler, and Peanut Butter Pie, to name a few.
While their protein bars are great for meal replacement and post-workout consumption, ONE Brands also have miniature snack bars perfect for in-between meals! They did not forget about vegan athletes. ONE Brands also has a line of plant-based protein bars with 12 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar. All of their products are certified gluten-free.
MyProtein Layered Bar – Peanut Butter and Jelly, (12 Pack)
The MyProtein Layered Bar Peanut Butter and Jelly bar has 20 grams of protein but 6 grams of total sugar.
However, My Protein has additional flavors with 20 grams of protein and anywhere from 2 to 6 grams of total sugar. There is a flavor for everyone! They are called “layered bars” because MyProtein advertises that the bars have five indulgent layers, including a soft, chewy center. So, it tastes like a candy bar but has much more protein and less sugar!
Unfortunately, MyProtein bars are not certified gluten-free and are typically made with milk, soy, and nuts. They are not the most allergy friendly, but still tasty! Their candy-bar-like taste is why they are on the list of the best-tasting protein bars.
CLIF BARS – Energy Bars – Best Sellers Variety Pack- Made with Organic Oats – Plant Based protein(2.4 Ounce Protein Bars, 16 Count) Packaging & Assortment May Vary (Amazon Exclusive)
Energy bars from CLIF BAR are formulated to boost your energy level during and after physical activity. CLIF BAR energy bars contain 9-11 grams of plant protein but 17 grams of sugar.
These snacks combine fast-acting and longer-lasting carbohydrates from sugars and rolled oats, along with healthy fats and plant-based protein, to help fuel adventures of any size. CLIF Bars are made from wholesome rolled oats and are soft and chewy. CLIF BARS is a delicious snack in several tasty flavors, including Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin Walnut, and Crunchy Peanut Butter.
During long, moderate-intensity activity periods, CLIF BAR energy bars provide quick-acting, long-lasting carbohydrates, ensuring you remain fueled.
While most CLIF Bars are vegan, there is one flavor made with honey, and although all bars are made with oats, the oats are not certified as gluten-free; therefore, CLIF Bars are not advertised as gluten-free. The brand does offer gluten-free options in other products.
Gatorade Whey Protein Bars, Variety Pack, 2.8 oz bars (Pack of 18)
Gatorade Whey Protein Bars are comprised of 20 grams of milk and whey protein per bar. These protein bars are said to be used by the NBA, NFL, and MLB players. Although rich in protein, these protein bars also have high sugar content. They are incredibly delicious to consume due to their texture, flavor, and sugar content. Nutritional information varies from bar to bar, so you’ll want to check the label for each flavor. The flavors they have are all chocolate-based, ranging from s’mores, chocolate chip, chocolate caramel, cookies and cream, peanut butter chocolate, mint chocolate crunch, and chocolate pretzel.
Although it is claimed that Gatorade scientifically created their protein bars to help athletes rebuild after an intense workout, they have 29 grams of sugar and are not gluten-free, vegan, keto, or kosher. People with any dietary restriction or need will not find accommodations with Gatorade protein bars. That is why they are last on this list of the best-tasting protein bars.
Final Thoughts
Protein is essential if we want to develop and maintain our fitness goals successfully. Protein bars encourage appropriate protein consumption throughout the day, allowing you to boost your strength while maintaining your busy lifestyle. Protein bars can help muscle development and repair and keep your diet in the range you’d like it to be. Regardless of your dietary needs, there is a protein bar for you! From vegan to gluten-free, from kosher to keto, this list of the best-tasting protein bars provides a wide range of options to fit your meal plans.
Protein bars may help people lose weight and increase muscle without altering their training regimen. Protein bars are a healthier alternative to sugary candy bars and are quicker than preparing protein shakes with protein powder.
As always, check the list of ingredients and nutrition in order to make a properly informed decision on which best-tasting protein bar fits your workout needs the best. You may need more or less protein, more or less sugar, or more or less carbohydrates. If you are unsure, please consult your doctor or a personal trainer for more information.
