Also, in lots of protein bars you’ll find that makers swap out natural sugars for sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and xylitol as they bring down the calorie count. These substances can cause an upset stomach for lots of people, so take a look at the ingredients list if your gut is particularly sensitive.

However, it’s best not to use protein bars to regularly replace more nutrient-dense whole foods like fruits and vegetables. You’ll find many different types of protein in the average protein bar. But you needn’t worry as much about the particulars as you would with protein powders because the rate of absorption is far slower in solid form and when paired with dietary fats and fibres. How much should I spend on a protein bar? Low to no synthetic or isolated fiber: "Ingredients I watch out for and advise athletes avoid (especially around the times they're training as they can cause bloating, gas, abdominal pain) include artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols like maltitol, erythritol, and xylitol, and large amounts of synthetic fibers like soluble corn fiber or chicory root," adds Asche. https://healthbeet.org/printable-high-protein-food-list/#h-complete-list-of-high-protein-foods-with-calories

READ NEXT: Our favourite bathroom scales The best protein bars to buy 1. Barebells Protein Bar: The best-tasting protein bar Blesso CN, et al. (2018). Dietary cholesterol, serum lipids, and heart disease: are eggs working for or against you?

Moon J, et al. (2020). Clinical evidence and mechanisms of high-protein diet-induced weight loss. https://www.jomes.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.7570/jomes20028 Lean Layered Protein Bar has the best bits of the original Layered Bar but with fewer calories and fat. Many varieties of protein bars are loaded with added sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other additives, which may negate many of the potential health benefits that they have to offer. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Flavors: Protein bars are available in a wide range of flavors, so be sure to take your taste and personal preferences into account.Rosenberg S, et al. (2016). Effects of dairy products consumption on health: benefits and beliefs —A commentary from the Belgian bone club and the European society for clinical and economic aspects of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal diseases. For example, if you’re already receiving the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of protein for your age group, excessive protein intake through sources like protein bars won’t provide much benefit. However, if you’re struggling to meet the RDA of protein through diet alone, it could be a healthy alternative. Just keep an eye on the nutritional content of protein bars, as they can include excessive amounts of sugar, trans or saturated fats, all of which are not good for your overall health. Crevier B, et al. (2017). Short communication: Production of cottage cheese fortified with vitamin D.

Carbone JW, et al. (2019). Dietary protein and muscle mass: Translating science to application and health benefit. Healthy fats: Fats are essential for your body to absorb certain nutrients and they also help to keep you satiated. We prioritized protein bars that contain healthy fats from nuts and seeds rather than those that use vegetable oils as fillers and binders. The key stats are as impressive as the taste and texture too, with 20g of protein per 55g bar (15g protein in the vegan bars). The sugar content is low at 1.9g per bar, and each contains around 200 calories. As a bonus, you also get a solid amount of fibre, with some flavours containing over 4g per bar. In particular, pay close attention to the amounts of calories, protein, added sugar, and fiber in each serving.Unfortunately, the final thing you ought to think about isn’t something you can determine from the label and that’s how tough they are on your teeth. Seriously, the sheer chewing involved with some protein bars amounts to a workout in itself. Mäkinen KK. (2016). Gastrointestinal disturbances associated with the consumption of sugar alcohols with special consideration of xylitol: Scientific review and instructions for dentists and other health-care professionals. For best results, opt for a protein bar that is low in added sugar and free of artificial ingredients and preservatives. What is the best protein bar for women? Dietary needs: Whether you’re following a vegan, gluten-free, ketogenic, or low carb diet, it’s important to look for a protein bar that caters to any dietary restrictions or food allergies you have.

Havemeier S, et al. (2017). Dietary guidance for pulses: the challenge and opportunity to be part of both the vegetable and protein food groups. Fiber: Look for a protein bar with at least 3 g of fiber per serving. In addition to supporting gut health and regularity, high fiber foods can help keep you feeling full between meals. TRUBAR Smother Fudger Peanut Butter and think! Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Keto Protein Bar are two other good options for weight loss, both of which contain less than 200 calories per serving. Is it OK to eat a protein bar every day? Ismail SR, et al. (2018). Systematic review of palm oil consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Different protein bars contain different types of protein, as reflected in our ranking. Many protein bars feature whey protein (a type of protein sourced from milk) or a protein blend of whey protein isolate and milk protein isolate.The M&M’s bar does a great job of capturing the flavour of the real chocolate sweets, and there are large M&M’s chunks in the bar itself. With 15g of sugar per bar, it’s not quite as healthy as the other protein bars on this list, but is a slight improvement over going for a regular chocolate treat and still tastes great. Each 51g bar contains 15g of protein and the peanut version is a little higher in calories at 207 compared to 182 for the chocolate M&M’s protein bar.