So many of these are little more than candy bars, here are some that are actually somewhat healthy.
Some top-selling protein bars contain emulsifiers and synthetic preservatives — such as polysorbate, carboxymethyl cellulose, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and sodium benzoate — that have been linked to gut inflammation and various health problems. At the same time, plenty of protein bars are laden with artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes such as erythritol, sucralose and acesulfame potassium that have been associated with a heightened risk of heart disease.
TRUBAR
These bars contain 12 grams of protein and large amounts of fiber — up to 14 grams per bar, which is about half your recommended daily amount of fiber. They’re relatively low in added sugars compared with other bars, and they’re not artificially sweetened. They contain a blend of plant proteins along with such things as almonds, organic coconut and unsweetened chocolate, and tapioca fiber.
RXBAR
These protein bars are a favorite among dietitians because they’re made from just a handful of simple ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen, such as dates, egg whites, nuts, coconut and other dried fruit. They contain 12 grams of protein, four to six grams of fiber and 14 to 17 grams of sugar. While these bars are generally on the sweeter side, their sugar content comes from the dates and other dried fruits — not from table sugar, corn syrup or other added sugars. “These bars can be great in the afternoon for a quick snack,” Stephens said. “I like them because they have a moderate amount of protein and ingredients that you can recognize.”
GoMacro
These vegan protein bars contain a lot of nutritious whole-food ingredients, such as organic almond butter, organic rolled oats, organic sunflower seed butter and a blend of organic plant proteins. They’re slightly sweeter than some other protein bars, with around 7 to 13 grams of added sugar per bar. But they also have a decent amount of protein (10 to 12 grams) and fiber (2 to 3 grams) per bar. They’re available in 15 flavors, and they’re gluten-free.
88 Acres
The main ingredient in these bars is pumpkin seeds. But they contain a lot of other wholesome ingredients, including sunflower seeds, cherries, bananas, dark chocolate and cinnamon. Each bar has 12 grams of protein, and they come in a variety of flavors, such as banana bread, dark chocolate brownie and chocolate chip blondie. They’re also allergy-friendly: They’re vegan, nut-free and gluten-free and made without wheat, soy, eggs and other top allergens, making them a good choice for people with food allergies and sensitivities.
Epic Bars
Most protein bars are sweet. But these Paleo-friendly Epic bars are a good choice for people who want a savory option that’s not plant-based. They’re made from a handful of whole-food ingredients such as bison, pork, grass-fed beef and venison, along with a variety of spices and seasonings. They’re slightly lower in protein than other bars — ranging from about 7 to 13 grams of protein per bar — but they’re also fairly low in fat, sugar and calories, Stephens said. One caveat is that some of the flavors are high in sodium. We recommend the Bison Bacon Cranberryand Beef Uncured Bacon + Apple bars, which are among the flavors that are lowest in sodium.
WaPo
Some top-selling protein bars contain emulsifiers and synthetic preservatives — such as polysorbate, carboxymethyl cellulose, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and sodium benzoate — that have been linked to gut inflammation and various health problems. At the same time, plenty of protein bars are laden with artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes such as erythritol, sucralose and acesulfame potassium that have been associated with a heightened risk of heart disease.
How to pick a healthier protein bar
- High quality protein: Look for proteins such as egg whites and dairy, which may be listed as casein or whey protein. “These contain all the essential amino acids that your body can’t make and that you need for muscle growth,” Stephens said. If you’re vegan, look for plant proteins like soy and pea protein. “These are also great sources of protein,” she added.
- At least 10 grams of protein: Choose bars that have between 10 and 20 grams of protein. “That’s a decent amount,” Zumpano said.
- Fiber: Eating fiber helps keep you full and satiated, and it nourishes your gut microbiome. Look for bars that have about 3 to 5 grams of fiber per serving, Zumpano said. But the more the better. “If a bar has more than 5 grams of fiber, that’s great,” she added.
- Whole food ingredients: Choose bars that are made from “real food” ingredients such as oats, seeds, egg whites, dates, almonds and peanuts. “The ingredients should be things that you can pronounce and recognize,” Stephens said. “If you’re not really sure what an ingredient is, it’s likely something that’s highly processed and that might not be good for your health.”
TRUBAR
These bars contain 12 grams of protein and large amounts of fiber — up to 14 grams per bar, which is about half your recommended daily amount of fiber. They’re relatively low in added sugars compared with other bars, and they’re not artificially sweetened. They contain a blend of plant proteins along with such things as almonds, organic coconut and unsweetened chocolate, and tapioca fiber.
RXBAR
These protein bars are a favorite among dietitians because they’re made from just a handful of simple ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen, such as dates, egg whites, nuts, coconut and other dried fruit. They contain 12 grams of protein, four to six grams of fiber and 14 to 17 grams of sugar. While these bars are generally on the sweeter side, their sugar content comes from the dates and other dried fruits — not from table sugar, corn syrup or other added sugars. “These bars can be great in the afternoon for a quick snack,” Stephens said. “I like them because they have a moderate amount of protein and ingredients that you can recognize.”
GoMacro
These vegan protein bars contain a lot of nutritious whole-food ingredients, such as organic almond butter, organic rolled oats, organic sunflower seed butter and a blend of organic plant proteins. They’re slightly sweeter than some other protein bars, with around 7 to 13 grams of added sugar per bar. But they also have a decent amount of protein (10 to 12 grams) and fiber (2 to 3 grams) per bar. They’re available in 15 flavors, and they’re gluten-free.
88 Acres
The main ingredient in these bars is pumpkin seeds. But they contain a lot of other wholesome ingredients, including sunflower seeds, cherries, bananas, dark chocolate and cinnamon. Each bar has 12 grams of protein, and they come in a variety of flavors, such as banana bread, dark chocolate brownie and chocolate chip blondie. They’re also allergy-friendly: They’re vegan, nut-free and gluten-free and made without wheat, soy, eggs and other top allergens, making them a good choice for people with food allergies and sensitivities.
Epic Bars
Most protein bars are sweet. But these Paleo-friendly Epic bars are a good choice for people who want a savory option that’s not plant-based. They’re made from a handful of whole-food ingredients such as bison, pork, grass-fed beef and venison, along with a variety of spices and seasonings. They’re slightly lower in protein than other bars — ranging from about 7 to 13 grams of protein per bar — but they’re also fairly low in fat, sugar and calories, Stephens said. One caveat is that some of the flavors are high in sodium. We recommend the Bison Bacon Cranberryand Beef Uncured Bacon + Apple bars, which are among the flavors that are lowest in sodium.
WaPo
