Protein bars can be a convenient, portable option that help provide quick energy, and can contribute to your daily protein needs.
There are hundreds of options on the market, which can make it hard to know which ones are truly supportive versus just well-marketed. The category continues to grow, and not all bars are created equally in terms of ingredients, protein quality, or overall nutrition.
This is why I’ve compiled a list of my go-to protein bars that strike a better balance between taste and nourishment.
Here’s what I recommend, based on taste, nutrition, ingredients, certifications, and protein quality.
My Process For Selecting The Best Bars
Gravitate towards bars with:
- Short and recognizable ingredient list
- High-quality ingredients
- Well-balanced macronutrients and energy content (protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and sugars)
- A good amount of protein (5 grams or more)
Minimize bars with
- High amounts of added sugar
- Low levels of protein or fiber (under 5 grams)
- Artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame)
I choose bars that taste good, have a good consistency and texture, and
contribute protein, to support blood sugar and protein needs.
My Favorite Protein Bars
IQ Bar
IQ Bar is a delicious plant-based bar with fiber and lions mane to support gut health and cognition. It contains 12 g of protein, 9 g of fiber and 0g of added sugar. The best part? It’s delicious and offers a variety of indulgent flavors like peanut butter, almond butter chip, and chocolate sea salt.
- Protein: 12 grams from nuts and pea protein.
- Macro Information: 10-13g total fat (2.5-3g sat fat), 9-12g carb (7-9g fiber, 0g added sugar)
- Cost: $2 a bar
- Where to Buy: Costco or Amazon
ALOHA Bar
ALOHA is a plant-based protein bar with less than 5g of added sugar, 10 grams of fiber, and 14 grams of protein. The consistency is perfect and they offer a variety of tasty flavors. I like buying the variety pack to switch it up!
- Protein: 14 grams from brown rice protein, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seed protein
- Macro Information: 9-13 g total fat (1.5-7 g sat fat), 22-26 g carb (6-10 g fiber, 3-5 g added sugar from minimal tapioca syrup)
- Cost: $1.80-$3 a bar
- Where to Buy: Amazon or Target.
Stars & Honey
Stars + Honey is a super simple protein bar made with collagen and without major allergens like gluten, dairy, or soy. They offer a variety of flavors like Caramel Peanut, Birthday Cake, and Cookies and Cream, using all-natural ingredients and only 1-2 g of added sugar.
- Protein: 15 grams from collagen and pea protein.
- Macro Information: 8-9 g total fat (1-2 g sat fat), 17 g carb (5g fiber, 1-2 g added sugar from allulose and minimal brown sugar)
- Cost: $2.94-$4.20 a bar
- Where to Buy: Amazon or directly from their website.
The Feel Bar
The Feel Bar is an allergen-free, simple bar with all natural ingredients and functional foods like lions main, Ashwaganha, and turmeric. They offer a variety of flavors and sizes (mini and full). These bars are also low FODMAP, vegan, and grain free — making them suitable for a wide variety of individuals with food sensitivities or intolerances.
- Protein: 15g from Pea Protein
- Macro Information: 12 g total carb (5 g fiber, 3g added sugar)
- Cost: $4.50-5 a bar
- Where to Buy: Directly from their website.
BTR Nation
BTR Nation is another protein bar made with a prebiotic fiber blend and MCT oil to support the gut and brain. It also contains some added spinach and kale for phytonutrients.
- Protein: 7-15 g protein from pea protein and almonds.
- Macro Information: 13 g total fat (4 g sat fat), 11 g carbs (7g fiber and 0 g added sugar)
- Cost: $1.95 a bar
- Where to Buy: Amazon or Target.
Paleo Valley Superfood Bars
Paleo Valley is a protein company that produces protein bars made with unflavored grass-fed beef. Their bars are made without artificial flavors and have recognizable ingredients like cacao, dates, pumpkin seeds, cashew butter, and spirulina.
- Protein: 10 g protein
- Macro Information: 12 g total fat (3 g sat fat), 19 g carbs (12 g fiber and 0 g added sugar)
- Cost: $3.50
- Where to Buy: Amazon or directly from their website.
I hope you got a lot of value from today’s blog! I’m excited for you to try all of these incredible bars. Let me know what you think and if you have any other bars you’d add to this list.
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Looking to build more protein into a plan that also supports your blood sugar, energy, and appetite goals? If you’re on a GLP-1 medication or just want a personalized approach to protein and nutrition, work with one of our registered dietitians to build a plan tailored to your body.