Admit it: You don’t always eat right. No judgment here; we’re the same way. We know how essential it is to try and meet nutritional needs, like protein intake, through whole foods like meat, fish, soy, nuts, and seeds. But between deadlines, meetings, errands, and after-school activities, it can be challenging to eat anything, let alone a healthy meal. That’s where protein bars come in. They’re a quick and easy snack that’ll deliver the nutrients and energy you need to power through your day.

But are protein bars good for you? That depends. Finding the healthiest protein bars to meet your nutritional needs can be challenging. Some brands are no better than the average candy bar, with a few nuts, seeds, or grains added to make them look healthy. It’s essential to read the ingredient list. In our opinion, the best-tasting protein bars are also the healthiest, using natural ingredients to deliver a low-carb, low-sugar, high protein snack without relying on chemical additives, preservatives, saturated fats, or artificial sweeteners. If you’re unsure about the best protein bar to choose, a registered dietitian can guide you.

Do you need a pick-me-up to tide you over until your next meal? We have some great options to unwrap, whether you’re looking for a low-carb, low-sugar protein bar or just a snack you can feel good about eating. Dig in!

1. Clif Bar Organic Chocolate Chip Energy Bar 2.4oz

Made with organic rolled oats and chocolate chips, this flavor-packed snack bar reminds us of fresh, warm chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven. Non-GMO and packed with protein, it’s a delicious energy bar that provides the nutrients needed for sustained energy, on or off the field.

$2.79

2. Epic Smoked Maple Bacon Bar 1.5oz

Finally! A nutrition option for people who don’t want their protein to taste like dessert. It’s the perfect on-the-go low-carb protein bar made with 100% natural pork, maple sugar, and spices for 8 grams of paleo-friendly and non-GMO protein that will keep you satisfied. 

$3.39

3. Bulletproof Collagen Bar - Cookie Dough 1.4oz

Be strong, not hungry, with a delicious Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Collagen Protein Bar. It's made with grass-fed collagen protein, and its non-GMO ingredients are always gluten-free and dairy-free. This protein bar provides satisfying, on-the-go nutrition to support a healthy lifestyle.

$3.29

4. Kind Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt 1.4oz

Salt, nuts, chocolate — Kind protein bars know what you’re craving. With only 5 grams of sugar, this bar combines the simple flavors of dark chocolate, sea salt, crunchy whole almonds, and peanuts into one delicious bar. It’s a satisfyingly nutty snack, rich in healthy fats that only seems indulgent.

$2.29

5. ONE Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bar 2.12oz

Tough cookies only! ONE Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough protein bar has the uncooked taste you love, loaded with 20 grams of protein and just 1 gram of sugar. Get out and turn up the heat with this after-workout snack, whether you’re powering a run or running a team in power suits.

$2.79

6. RXBar Blueberry Protein Bar

Blueberry season’s year-long now, thanks to RXBar’s Blueberry protein bars. Made with sweet blueberries and simple ingredients like egg whites as its source of protein, dates to bind, and nuts for texture. The summery taste of blueberries will cure anything, even the Monday Morning Blues.

$3.99

7. Mindright Gluten Free Vegan Toasted Coconut Bar 1.76oz

Chocolate and coconut in a vegan protein bar — need we say more? Improve your mood and focus with these delicious plant-based protein bars. Get power from a proprietary blend of all-natural brain-boosting antioxidants, nootropics, and adaptogens formulated to support a healthy mind. 

$3.29

8. Think! Chunky Peanut Butter High Protein Bar 2.1oz

Every bite of this Chunky Peanut Butter protein bar is chock-full of wholesome roasted peanuts covered in delicious chocolate. You would never believe this chewy, keto-friendly snack has 20 grams of protein, and no sugar, artificial sweeteners, gluten, or GMO ingredients? Believe it.

$2.79

9. IQBAR Lemon Blueberry Bar 1.6oz

IQBAR low-carb protein bars are made using simple ingredients. The number one keto snack will keep you full, focused, and energized throughout the day. Vegan- and gluten-free, they contain 12 grams of plant-based protein, 1 gram of sugar, and 3 grams of net carbs. Support your health with IQBAR.

$2.49

10. No Cow Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bar 2.12oz

Tastes like you're eating cookie dough right out of the bowl. No Cow dairy-free snack is high in protein and ridiculously low in sweetness. They’re certified gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO, and loaded with clean ingredients and no added sugar. It’s the plant-based fuel to get through the day.

$2.99

FAQ

What are the best protein bars for weight loss?

Protein bars are a great addition to your weight-loss tool kit, but with so much choice, it’s hard to know the difference between a protein bar with the nutrients you need to lose weight and a glorified granola bar.

Making sure you get enough protein is vital to healthy weight loss. Protein-rich food helps keep you feeling fuller longer, curbing your snack cravings and keeping you on track to meet your daily caloric requirements. It also helps you avoid the dreaded mid-afternoon energy crash by keeping your blood sugar levels stable so you can focus your attention on something other than food. 

When you diet, you’re not only losing fat (hopefully), but you can also lose lean muscle tissue if you’re not careful. You need that lean muscle because it’s the tissue that burns more calories than any system. Consuming enough protein maintains your current musculature and helps you build more, improving your metabolic rate and burning more calories when you’re at rest.

So, what should you look for to determine your best protein bar for weight loss? A registered dietitian will have some great recommendations, but until you get an appointment to address your specific needs, here are a few guidelines.

PROTEIN: This may seem obvious, but you want a bar high in protein. Choose a brand with at least 10 grams, if not more, from a high-quality protein source. Omnivores should look for whey protein or egg whites, while vegans should consider complementary plant protein combinations from sources like brown rice and peas.  

FIBER: Fiber is one of those multi-purpose nutrients, and you can’t get enough. In terms of weight loss, it does some heavy lifting by keeping you feeling full and satisfied. Look for a bar with a minimum of 3 grams of fiber to keep you feeling full between meals. Avoid bars that use synthetic fibers like soluble corn fiber or chicory root, which can cause bloating.

HEALTHY FATS: This is another nutrient that keeps you feeling full. Look for healthy fats sourced from whole nuts or nut butter from almonds, cashews, peanuts, or seeds like pumpkin seeds or flax seeds. They’re rich in omega-3s and will help curb the mid-afternoon munchies. 

LOW CARBOHYDRATES: You need carbohydrates for fuel, but they’re ridiculously easy to over-consume, derailing your weight loss goals. Remember that carbs are converted to sugar, and because the label says “low sugar,” it doesn’t mean that you’re getting a snack low in overall carbs. A low-carb protein bar will have at most 12 grams of net carbs. If you can go lower without added artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, do it.

NO ADDITIVES: You want a protein bar to use no more than 15 easily recognizable whole food ingredients. Avoid synthetic binders, fillers, artificial sweeteners, and sugar alcohols like erythritol. These can all cause stomach upset, bloating, and diarrhea.

CALORIE COUNT: Finally, you need to decide how to use your protein bar because that determines how many calories it should have to help you lose weight safely. If you’re eating a bar between meals, you want the number of calories per serving to range between 150 and 250. If you’re using your protein bar to replace an entire meal, the calories should range between 250 and 300. 

Finally, look for a protein bar that you’ll enjoy eating. Getting the nutrition you need shouldn’t be a chore. When every meal feels like a sacrifice, you’re more likely to give in to temptation and eat something outside your meal plan. If you’re missing sweets, find a protein bar that reminds you of your favorite decadent chocolate sea salt brownie or apple fritter. 

You’ve got this.

What are the best protein bars for building muscle?

For people looking to build muscle, protein bars can help. Combining resistance training with the amino acids present in some protein bars can increase your overall lean muscle mass levels.

Whey protein isolates are the main ingredient in most protein bars and are easier for your body to convert to muscle. For vegans, it’s still possible to accomplish the same effect using plant based-proteins. You just need to make sure they’re from a complementary combination of legumes and grains. Whatever the source, you need to choose a protein bar that contains 20 to 40 grams of protein. This amount is enough to activate the muscle-building process. 

While you want most of your protein to come from whole foods like grains, legumes, meat, and fish, using a protein bar as a meal replacement or post-workout snack is acceptable. They can provide your body with the fuel needed to build muscle and replace any energy you lost during your workout. 

Talk to a registered dietitian if you have any questions about creating a meal plan to support your body-building activities. They’ll be able to provide what you need and make recommendations about products to help meet your fitness goals. 

How much protein do I need a day? 

The amount of protein your body needs changes depending on age and activity level. The general rule says you need between 10% and 35% of your daily calories from protein. A person consuming 2,000 calories a day needs to derive 200 to 700 protein-sourced calories a day.

The other method of determining your daily protein intake uses a body weight calculation. The average sedentary adult needs to consume 0.37 grams of protein for every pound of body weight. Someone who weighs 150 pounds and doesn't participate in regular physical activity should consume approximately 55 grams of protein a day.

Regardless of the method you choose, you need to consider outside factors. If you are active daily, your protein requirements will be higher. People between the ages of 40 and 50 start to lose muscle mass as part of getting older.

Store-bought or homemade protein bars can help you reach these targets, but before you head out to buy out the store, have a word with a registered dietitian or nutritionist. They’ll be able to assess your needs and help you find the protein solution that’s best for you.