RANKED! The Best Protein Bar Reviews 2019 – Mandatory
Protein bars are a more convenient alternative to protein shakes. They can be eaten on the go and don't require other ingredients or specialist equipment to make. Protein bars may also be used as a meal replacement for those on a diet. They are quite dense in texture, meaning they are very filling. It's essential to consume protein bars that are not loaded with sugar, carbs, or other unhealthy ingredients. Otherwise, it could disrupt your weight loss or fitness goals. If you are looking for a great tasting healthy protein bar, here are five of the best to choose from.
Best Choice
No added sugar and keto-friendly
Pros:
Protein bars are known for having a bitter or unpleasant taste. Adding sugar to protein bars will improve the taste but could cause you to gain weight. These Question Nutrition bars have a clever solution. Although they are chocolate flavored, they are very low in sugar, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice your health to get a great taste. They are also low in carbs while being high in fiber to support your digestion. They are also gluten-free, soy-free, and keto-friendly.
Cons:
Although foods containing fiber are considered good for you, some users have found they cause stomach issues. If you already eat a high-fiber diet, you may find these bars cause bloating or stomach upset.
Best Gluten Free
High protein snack
Pros:
These protein bars have a delicious chocolate sea salt flavor. They are made with simple and natural ingredients. At 12g of protein per bar, they help boost the level of protein you are getting. The bars are suitable for breakfast but can be eaten at any time of the day. They are gluten-free and paleo-friendly and have no added sugar. If you are looking to avoid lab-made protein bars, these would be ideal as they contain no unnatural ingredients or preservatives.
Cons:
The RXBAR protein bars have 13-15g of sugar per serving. Consuming high amounts of sugar could lead to weight gain or other health problems such as diabetes. These protein bars are not suitable for anyone with a nut allergy.
Best For Weight Loss
20 Grams of protein and great taste
Pros:
These bars contain 20g of protein, which is higher than competitor brands. The different flavors supplied offers a variety of tastes. They are also very low in cost compared to similar brands on the market, working out at just $0.46 per ounce. They are low in sugar and provide 15% of your daily recommended intake of calcium. Each bar contains 180 calories, which are relatively low.
Cons:
There is a long list of ingredients that are not from natural sources. These bars contain 10mg of cholesterol and 17mg of carbohydrate. In addition, they have 4g of sugar alcohol per bar, which may cause digestive upset.
Best Keto Friendly
Keto friendly and nut free
Pros:
If you have a sweet tooth, this birthday cake flavored protein bar might do the trick. After all, you need to enjoy the taste; otherwise, you won’t eat it. Each bar contains 20g of protein, which is quite a high level. It is low in fiber (1.8g per bar) and salt (0.14g per bar). Each bar contains just 1.7g of sugar, which is far lower than other brands, meaning you get the sweet taste without an unhealthy amount of sugar.
Cons:
Each bar contains 9g of fat, which could cause weight gain unless you burn this off through exercise. There are many unnatural ingredients added to give it a longer shelf-life, which takes away from the health aspect. It’s also more expensive per bar than other brands.
Best Taste
Low-Sugar, Low-Carb and Gluten-Free
Pros:
Each bar delivers 20g of protein, as well as calcium, iron, and vitamin C. Also, there is 12g of fiber, which helps to support your digestion. The bar has a rich and chewy texture making it satisfying to eat. There are just 5g of sugar, which is quite low for a product that is chocolate flavored. The formula is also gluten-free. MusclePharm offers a money-back guarantee to ensure your satisfaction.
Cons:
Each bar gives 20% of the recommended maximum of saturated fat, which could lead to weight gain. Each bar also contains cholesterol and sodium, so it should only be consumed as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
What Really Matters
What to look out for when buying protein bars
When buying a protein bar, you should make sure it contains a high level of protein, at least 20g. Protein bars which only contain a small amount of protein will not show any positive benefit and could be substituted with unhealthy ingredients instead.
Finding a great tasting protein bar is also important. So often, the number one complaint is that protein bars are overly chewy and have a sour taste. Finding a healthy protein bar contains the right amount of protein but also tastes great is key.
Avoiding unhealthy ingredients
Protein bars can offer a great meal replacement, but they can also be full of unhealthy ingredients. If you consume an unhealthy protein bar, it will not contribute towards your health and could even cause you to gain weight.
Think about how fruit or vegetables slowly deteriorate as they lose vitality. The reason for this is because they are a natural substance, and they are packed with vitamins and minerals. Manufactured foods such as protein bars are made with a long shelf life in mind. To achieve this, they often contain unnatural or unhealthy ingredients such as stabilizers and preservatives. The more unnatural ingredients your protein bar contains, the less healthy it will be to consume, especially on a regular basis. So, you should always look for a protein bar that is made as cleanly as possible.
In addition, some protein bars are formed with high levels of sugar, carbs, cholesterol, sodium, or fat. You should consider the levels on the packaging before purchase, as these can disrupt your fitness goals.
Prices
The following prices are based on a box of 12 protein bars. It is advisable to buy protein bars in a large quantity as they can be more expensive if bought singularly.
Cheap
At the lower end of the scale, a box of cheap protein bars retails at around $15. Protein bars at this price tend to contain a lot of artificial ingredients. They could also be high in sugar or fat.
Mid-range
The average cost for a box of protein bars is around $20. It’s possible to find healthier alternatives for just a small price increase up from the cheaper bars.
At this price point, you can find gluten-free and keto-friendly protein bars.
Expensive
Choosing a box of premium protein bars will set you back upwards of $25. You will find popular brands at this price but may receive fewer bars for your money.
Look out for protein bars that are made naturally so that you can enjoy them without any of the nasty ingredients found in cheaper bars.
FAQ’s
Why should I eat protein bars?
Protein bars are a great way of boosting your daily protein intake. They can provide energy as well as added support for those looking to build muscle through exercise. If you lack protein in your regular diet, they are an easy way to supplement this.
Protein bars can be eaten on the go, so they are very convenient. As protein bars are also very filling, they also work well as a meal replacement for anyone looking to lose weight.
If low in sugar, consuming protein bars can help stabilize blood sugar levels. As a result, there will be no “crash,” meaning you will not feel suddenly fatigued. When you then go to exercise, you will find you have enough energy to complete your workout.
What are the benefits of protein bars vs. protein shakes?
When you go to make a protein shake, it can be a complicated process. First, you need to find the right protein powder. You’ll also need a high-powered blender and lots of other ingredients to go with it. It’s not only expensive but also a hassle.
Protein bars are ready-made and don’t require any added ingredients or equipment. You can enjoy them wherever you like. They are simple to put in your gym bag and won’t leak everywhere like a protein shake.
When is the best time to eat a protein bar?
You should consume a protein bar containing at least 20g of protein around 30 minutes before your workout. However, you may also benefit from taking protein after your workout too.
Post-workout your muscles need extra energy to repair. Your energy levels may also take a sudden dip after exercise, so consuming protein after exercise will help prevent this.
Ensure your protein bar is not full of sugar or unhealthy ingredients so that you can consume more than once a day if required.
Is it possible to get all the protein I need from my regular diet?
You should always look to eat a balanced diet, including getting enough protein. Foods high in protein include meat, fish, dairy, beans, bread, hummus, and seeds.
However, for some people, it is not possible to get enough protein in their diet. The reasons for this include dietary preferences or intolerances, for example, vegans who cannot eat meat, fish, or dairy. Or, someone who has an allergy to dairy and does not consume enough protein through their other food groups.
You may also require additional protein if you are training at the gym and are looking to build muscle or to give yourself a boost of energy pre and post-workout.
So, while it is possible to get adequate protein from your diet, it is not achievable for everyone. In addition, athletes may require an additional boost of protein that they are not getting from their diet alone.
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