Have you been searching for the just the right protein bar, but you’re still unsure of which one to choose among the many options? Whether you’re an average gym-goer or an athlete, we realize that finding the right protein bar can be the key to fueling you through your workouts and providing the building blocks for recovery afterward.
This article aims to explore the top protein bars on the market, giving a short explanation and summary of the benefits of each.
No matter your level of daily activity, protein plays an integral role in the human body. Most people think of protein as the “muscle molecule.” Indeed, protein is responsible for the growth and maintenance of tissues. Also, it is accountable for driving chemical reactions, regulating hormonal function, maintaining pH, balancing fluids, supporting immune health, transporting and storing nutrients, and supplying the body with energy. For more detailed information on the importance of protein in the body, see Healthline’s article on “9 Important Functions of Protein in Your Body.”
In summary, while exercise breaks down our muscles, but protein builds them back up. For the busy gym-goer, student-athlete, or the average consumer, having accessible sources of protein can be the difference between meeting complete protein needs from day to day. With the following list, we are confident that you’ll be able to choose the best of the best for your needs.
1. Evo Hemp CBD Protein Bar: Best Choice for Overall Health
Evo Hemp CBD Protein Bar made our list because of its promising benefits for overall mind and body health, high protein content, and the use of natural ingredients. It includes high quality, full-spectrum CBD oil with 15mg CBD, 12g protein, 4g sugar, and 5g fiber. If you’re new to CBD products, you may be wondering, “Wait. Did they list a protein bar that will get me high?” The answer: no. In the Cannabis plant, there are two primary compounds. The first is THC. The other (non-psychoactive one) is CBD. If you’re buying from reputable companies, your CBD products should contain less than .3% THC.
To learn more about the health benefits and limitations of CBD, check out this article Harvard Medical School: “CBD Products Are Everywhere. But Do They Work?“ The verdict: yes, but only in some ways. More research needs will be done, though. Because of its positive effects on the Endocannabinoid System, there is “moderate evidence that CBD can improve sleep disorders, fibromyalgia pain, muscle spasticity related to multiple sclerosis, and anxiety.”
Reviewers of this bar particularly like the taste, shortlist of healthy ingredients, and the positive mental health benefits they experience from the bar. As a bonus, the company grows its hemp through a partnership with partnered with the Pine Ridge Reservation, the most impoverished community in the U.S to provide high paying jobs to Native Americans there. So not only is this bar good for your overall health, it helps support the creation of wealth for poor, rural communities.
Macro Nutrient Profile: 220 calories, 12g protein, 13g fat, 18g Carbohydrates, 5g fiber
Summary of Benefit
- Infused with 15 mg Full Spectrum CBD
- Organically grown, USA Hemp
- Free of pesticides and herbicides
- Good source of antioxidants
- Rich in terpenes
- Positive Mental health benefits
- Well-priced
- Philanthropically-minded company
2. Quest Nutrition Protein Bar: Best Choice for General Fitness Enthusiasts
This bar is one of the best all-around choices for the average fitness enthusiast because of its excellent macronutrient profile and good taste.
If you choose this bar, you will look forward to eating it every time, because most of the energy provided by this bar is made up of protein, most of the power will go towards the process of building and maintaining muscle in the body (as well as supporting the eight other functions we listed in the beginning).
The taste of this bar works well for satisfying tastes for ice cream and cookies but in a healthier way. One of their most popular flavors, Cookies and Cream, is complete with 21g protein, 4g net carbs, 1 g sugar, and 15 g fiber.
The bar also comes in a wide variety of other flavors, including Birthday Cake, Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and White Chocolate Raspberry, to name a few. As a bonus, each flavor contains Erythritol and Stevia and no added sugar.
Macro Nutrient Profile: 200 Cal, 21g protein, 9g fat, 21g carbohydrates, 14g fiber
Summary of Benefits
- Excellent macronutrient profile: high protein, low carb, low fat
- Good Option for satisfying sugar cravings
- Naturally sweetened; no added sugar
- Variety of flavors
- Great Taste
- Gluten and Soy Free
3. Aloha Protein Bars: A Good, Clean, Healthy Bar
Aloha Protein Bars are an unusually clean and healthy bar that is also plant-based and contains natural ingredients. They include high amounts of protein, iron, fiber, and healthy fats. Because of their simple, plant-based ingredients, they are suitable for vegan, paleo, and gluten-free lifestyles. As a bonus, they are USDA organic, contain nothing artificial, and are not MGO.
They come in five flavors, including Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Mint, Vanilla Almond Crunch, Caramel Sea Salt, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Each of the bars contains 14g of protein, about 5 grams of fiber. The taste is reportedly pretty good but is on the denser side and has a bit of a chalky aftertaste. They are firm but still chewy, and it’s easy to taste the full range of ingredients since there are just ten whole, natural ones.
Macro Nutrient Profile: 230 calories, 14g protein, 9 grams of fat, 7 grams of fiber
Summary of Benefits
- Clean and Healthy
- USDA Organic
- Vegan
- Gluten-Free
- Non-GMO
- Dairy-Free
- Stevia Free
- Nothing Artificial
- Soy-Free
4. GoMacro Bars
GoMacro Bars manufacture its bars with certified clean, raw ingredients. All ingredients are plant-based and grown through sustainable farming practices by certified organic and non-GMO farmers.
They have bars that are especially suitable for the following types of lifestyles and allergy considerations:
- Peanut-Free
- Almond-Free
- Cashew-Free
- Walnut-Free
- Coconut-Free
- Dairy-Free
- Soy-Free
- Gluten-Free
- Foodmap Friendly
- Organic
- R.A.W.
- C.L.E.A.N.
- Vegan
The protein bar comes in a wide variety of flavors. Each one has a flavor that is more natural, but still delicious, tending to be somewhere between soft and chewy. The smell and taste are the right combinations of sweet and salty.
The equally balanced blend of nutrients in this bar, including protein, healthy fats, carbs, and natural sugar make it perfect fuel for athletes and people doing long workouts or hikes. It also works well as a meal replacement bar. However, while this bar is suitable for people physically active side, they may not work well for the average person trying to lose weight or the bodybuilder trying to gain significant muscle.
Macro Nutrient Profile: 290 calories, 11g fat, 37g carbs, 11g protein, 2 g fiber.
Summary of Benefits
- 10 grams of protein
- Organic
- Vegan
- Gluten-Free
- Kosher
- Non-GMO
- Certified Clean & Raw
- Soy-Free
- Dairy-Free
5. Rise Protein Bars
Rise Protein Bars claim to be “The Simplest Protein Bar,” made from 5 ingredients or less: either a healthy nut, honey, and whey protein for the animal-based bar. Or, a healthy nut, pea protein isolate, organic coconut nectar, and other whole ingredients for flavor for the plant-based bar.
Gallo farms in Northern California sources the whey protein in the bar. The Pea Protein in the plant-based bar contains nine essential amino acids and is equally as effective for muscle recovery as Whey Protein.
Reviewers liked the “fresh taste” of the bars when they first arrive, but report that they harden over 30-60 days. It is advised to purchase one at a time, rather than stocking up on vast amounts of them.
The protein-coupled with honey makes them a perfect source for pre-workout fuel as well as post-workout recovery. They are also claimed to be satisfying and perfect for holding over between meals. Some people even prefer them as a meal replacement. The honey in the bar makes them extra tasty they’ve been rumored to be addicting. The ingredients are also very minimal, unlike many bars on the market that include long lists of ingredients with hard-to-pronounce names.
These bars are also great for athletes and active people because of their high protein content and a moderate amount of good carbohydrates.
Animal-Based Macro Nutrient Profile: 280 calories, 20g protein, 16g fat, 20g carbohydrates, 4g fiber
Plant-Based Macro Nutrient Profile: 260 calories, 15g protein, 13g fat, 23g carbohydrates, 1g fiber
Summary of Benefits
- Minimal ingredients
- High protein content
- Animal and Plant-Based Options
- Fresh Taste
- Gluten-Free
- Non-GMO
- Soy-Free
- Peanut-Free
- No Sugar Alcohols
- Nothing Artificial
- No Preservatives
6. Oatmega Bars
Oatmega bars come packed with omega 3’s, in large part made up of fish oil. Unlike many other companies which include fish oil in their products, they only use sustainably sourced fish. Other ingredients include grass-fed, Whey Protein Powder and natural monk fruit extract as a sweetener. As a bonus, most parts are organic. All components are gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO.
These bars are designed to be a great, healthy snack available in 5 different flavors: Wild Blueberry Crisp,
Brownie Crisp, Chocolate Peanut Crisp, Chocolate Mint Crisp, and Vanilla Almond Crisp. Reviewers report that the bars are delicious (some report that they’re the best bar they’ve ever had) without being too sweet. The very also very filling and could be an excellent meal replacement bar that is also light on the stomach.
Also, for every case of OatMega bars sold, one bar is given to a local food bank in the same city they are purchased. OatMega bars is another bar that is committed to making communities in the U.S. a better place.
Macro Nutrient Profile: 200 calories, 14 g of protein, 7 g fat, 22 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber
Summary of Benefits
- Gluten-Free
- Good source of protein
- Soy-Free
- Non-GMO
- Great taste
- Clean, sustainably sourced ingredients
- Made with grass-fed whey protein
- Excellent Source of omega-3 fatty acids
7. Best for Weightloss: One Protein Bar
With 20 g protein, 1 g of sugar, this bar has been reported to be the best for weight loss. Although it does contain a long list of synthetic ingredients, its macronutrient profile is pretty good. It is also suitable for indulging your sweet tooth in a much healthier way.
Consumers report that it tends to keep them full for a while, making it another bar which could potentially be useful for meal replacement. They say that the bar is excellent for the office, the gym, or coffee breaks.
They offer a variety of flavors, including birthday cake, blueberry cobbler, chocolate brownie, chocolate chip cookie dough, cinnamon roll, cookies and cream, dark chocolate sea salt, lemon cake, maple glazed doughnut, peanut butter chocolate cake, peanut butter cup, peanut butter pie, pumpkin pie, salted caramel, and white chocolate truffle.
The taste is reported to be dense and cake-like complete with a thin layer of icing on the outside of each one. With so many flavors, it’s unlikely that you’ll get bored with this bar. For people who like to snack on luxurious treats like cake or fancy chocolates, but are looking for healthier food options, these bars could be a way to satisfy cravings for those kinds of foods while also supporting the muscle-building capacities of your body.
Their plant-based option also includes banana nut bread and chocolate peanut butter.
Animal-Based Bar Macro Nutrient Profile: 21 calories, 20g protein, 7g fat, 22g carbohydrates, 9g fiber
Plant-Based Bar Macro Nutrient Profile: 175 calories, 12 g protein, 8g fat, 21g carbohydrates, 8g fiber
Summary of Benefits
- Suitable for Satisfying Sweet Tooth for Weightloss
- Like eating cake, but healthy
- Huge variety of delicious flavors
- Good macronutrient profile
- High in protein
- Only 1g of sugar
8. Cliff Bars
Cliff has a few kinds of bars in their product line now, including the traditional cliff bar and the protein cliff bar. Traditional bars have long been a favorite of endurance athletes. Their high carbohydrate, high sugar content makes them perfect for consuming a few hours before a workout. For most people, they can efficiently fuel you through workout sessions of up to 90 minutes.
Their protein Cliff bar has a macronutrient profile that makes it excellent for refueling carbohydrates and replenishing protein stock after workouts. Cliff builder’s protein bar is complete with 20 g protein. While the list of ingredients is longer on this one, most of the parts are organic and whole, and the reviews are very high.
As an added benefit, cliff bars are delicious and come in a wide variety of flavors. They seem to be a bar that you can eat again and again without getting bored. But still, these bars are best for athletes and endurance contenders, not the average dieter.
Traditional Bar Macro Nutrient Profile: 260 calories, 9g protein, 7g fat, 18g carbohydrates, 4g fiber
Protein Bar Macro Nutrient Profile: 290 calories, 20g protein, 11g fat, 29g carbs, 2g fiber
Summary of Benefits
- A long-time favorite of athletes
- Huge variety of flavors
- Suitable for endurance workouts and outdoor activities
- Keeps you powered through workouts
- High protein content
- High carbohydrate content
- Has bars for both before and after workouts
9. Best for Building Muscle: Met-rx Big 100 Colossal Bars
We have included this protein bar as an excellent choice for bodybuilders trying to put on some serious muscle. This bar contains 32g of exclusive METAMYOSYN Protein Blend per bar. With this much protein, it’s perfect for a post-gym workout on-the-go meal for people trying to build a lot of muscle. They also reportedly taste great, with their options including a variety of flavors and textures. While this bar does contain a long list of hard-to-recognize ingredients, it could be a good option for the busy consumer whose focus in muscle-gain.
While we think that this is a good option for bodybuilders, it could also be an excellent option for people trying to lose weight, depending on how your body metabolizes protein. For some people, eating a high protein diet can be the key to staying fuller longer and being able to lose weight long term.
Macronutrient Profile: 410 calories. 32g protein, 10g fat, 46 g carbohydrates, 2g fiber
10. Best for Building: EPIC Protein Bars
We included these bars because they’re a good, sustainably sourced animal-based option. For the conscious meat eater, this bars contains 100% grass-fed buffalo and uncured bacon from pigs raised in a humane manner. The list on the back of the package is small and wholesome, including only bison, uncured bacon (pork, water, brown sugar, salt, vinegar, celery powder, sea salt), dried cranberries (cranberries, apple juice concentrate), lactic acid, celery powder, and sea salt.
Summary of Benefits
- Excellent macronutrient profile
- Great source of protein
- Delicious taste reported
- Responsibly sourced meat
Macro Nutrient Profile: 130 calories. 7 g protein. 8 g fat, 8 g carbs, 1g fiber
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several healthy, high-protein protein bars on the market to meet the needs of really any consumer.
Protein is something we all need to maintain optimal health, reach our fitness goals, and push boundaries in athletic and sporting events. But often, we don’t always get the right amount of protein that we need. With the help of protein bars (whichever one suits you best), we can quickly get the amount of protein we need every day and feel better before and after workouts.
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