What are the best protein bars?
We considered nutrition, taste and price to select our top protein bars. All these bars have at least 7 grams of protein and no unhealthy ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup. Remember there isn’t one bar that’s right for everyone or one bar with everything you need. When deciding which protein bar is best for you, consider your nutritional goals and dietary restrictions — but don’t forget to factor in your flavor and texture preferences.
- Our favorite tasting protein bars:
Nutrisystem Double Chocolate Caramel - Our favorite protein bars for weight loss:
WW Snickerdoodle - Our favorite protein bars for women:
IQ Bar Peanut Butter Chip - Our favorite organic protein bars:
Orgain Organic protein bar - Our favorite keto protein bars:
Keto Krisp Almond Butter - Our favorite protein bars for men:
ProBar Base Peanut Butter Chocolate - Our favorite vegan protein bars:
GoMacro Oatmeal Chocolate Chip - Our favorite low-sugar protein bars:
Quest Cookies & Cream - Our favorite protein bars for muscle gain:
Clif Builder’s Protein Vanilla Almond - Our favorite protein bars for diabetes:
RXBar Chocolate Sea Salt - Our favorite low-carb protein bars:
Atkins Chocolate Peanut Butter - Our favorite natural protein bar:
Wella Cranberry Crunch
- Nutrisystem Double Chocolate Caramel
- 10 grams of protein
- 180 calories
Are protein bars good for you?
Not all protein bars are good for you. The best protein bars provide a balance of protein, carbs, fiber, fat and other nutrients. In addition to being a convenient protein source, the benefits of protein bars include raised energy levels, increased calorie burning and decreased appetite. In combination with exercise and other healthy habits, eating protein bars can increase lean mass, power and strength.
Nutritionists don’t recommend
more than one
protein bar per day
Athletes often use protein bars to recover after an intense workout. Others eat protein bars to help stabilize blood sugar and reduce blood pressure or cholesterol levels. Protein is especially important for menopausal women because it works with calcium to increase bone strength.
Protein is an essential macronutrient everyone needs in their diet. All proteins break down into amino acids. Animal protein sources include meat, eggs and dairy, and plant proteins sources include nuts, beans and lentils. Plant-based proteins are considered to be incomplete proteins because they lack some essential amino acids, but complementary plant-based proteins can be eaten together to form complete proteins. Foods rich in animal proteins also often contain vitamins B12 and D, plus omega-3 fat, heme-iron and zinc. People with high plant-protein diets are at lower risk for heart disease, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
What to look for in a protein bar
Look for protein bars that are high in protein with moderate fiber and low sugars and carbs. Before you make a purchase, compare protein bar nutrition facts to check for synthetic ingredients and added sugar. Consider your budget as well — protein bar prices range from less than $1 to $4 or more per bar. You should also pick a taste profile you enjoy.
The role of protein in your diet is a significant factor when deciding which protein bar is right for you. If you’re trying to gain lean body mass, for example, look for protein bars with creatine. Keep in mind that many protein bars are high in calories and carbohydrates. For weight loss, look for bars with a 2:1 ratio of protein to carbohydrates. Some diets require you to count net carbs, which is the number of carbs minus the amount of fiber and a portion of sugar alcohols, instead of total carbs. Companies also sell vegan or animal protein bars with supplemental vitamins or minerals for those with special dietary needs.
| What to look for | What to avoid |
|---|---|
| 10 grams of protein or more | High fructose corn syrup |
| Less than 30 grams of carbs | Sugar alcohols (sorbitol, xylitol, glycerol, etc.) |
| At least 4 grams of fiber | Saturated fats |
| Less than 15 grams of sugar | Trans fats |
| Less than 400 calories per serving | Palm oil |
| Natural ingredients | Synthetic ingredients |
Nutrisystem Double Chocolate Caramel protein bar
WW Snickerdoodle Baked protein bar
IQ Bar Peanut Butter Chip protein bar
Orgain Organic chocolate chip cookie dough protein bar
Keto Krisp Almond Butter protein bars
ProBar Base Peanut Butter Chocolate protein bars
GoMacro Macrobar Oatmeal Chocolate Chip protein bar
Quest Bar Cookies & Cream protein bar
Clif Builder’s Protein Vanilla Almond bar
RXBar Chocolate Sea Salt protein bar
Atkins Chocolate Peanut Butter protein bar
Wella Cranberry Crunch protein bar
Bottom line
Protein bars are ready-to-eat sources of protein that benefit people with many lifestyles and activity levels. The best protein bar for you is determined by if you want to gain muscle, lose weight or replace meals. Generally, look for high protein and low sugar and carbs. Some protein bars look good from the box but taste chalky or bitter. Remember, health experts don’t recommend eating more than one protein bar per day.
