Updated 4/2/2025
In an ideal world, we would be eating only whole foods that we prepare ourselves. However, that is not always realistic! We live busy lives and are often on the go. It’s helpful to have several options for clean protein bars to keep on hand for those days you find you are out the door before breakfast or empty handed at 3 pm when the vending machine is calling your name. With an aisle at the grocery store solely dedicated to granola, protein and breakfast bars it can be hard to know which to choose! Read on for our top 4 picks for protein bars that won’t sabotage your health.
Many protein bars are advertised as being low carb, no added sugars, high protein, etc. The savvy consumer should be on the lookout for things like artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame K), soy lecithin, gluten/wheat, corn or maltodextrin and added sugars. One tip is to really read the nutrition label and the ingredients; make sure you can easily pronounce and recognize them. The options below are some of my favorites to recommend, but I always advise choosing a bar with at least 10 grams of protein and low to no added sugars, as well as free of the ingredients listed above.
1. Epic Chicken Sriracha Bar – 100 calories, 15 g protein, 3 g Carbs, 0 g sugar, 2g fiber
Ingredients: Chicken Meat, Sea Salt, Encapsulated Lactic Acid, Dried Garlic, Crushed Red Pepper, Paprika, Cultured Celery Powder, Dried Onion, Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Cumin, Oregano.
For those looking to reduce carbs and eat more protein, this is a good option. Very simple ingredients and comes in various flavors to help with variety including bison and venison, which are great wild game quality meat sources.
2. Aloha Bars – 220-260 calories, 9-13 g protein, 22-26 g Carb, 6-10g fiber, 3-5 g sugar
Ingredients: Peanuts, Tapioca Fiber, Protein Blend (Brown Rice Protein*, Pumpkin Seed Protein), Dark Chocolate (Chocolate, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter), Tapioca Syrup, Vegetable Glycerin, Sea Salt, Monk Fruit, Sunflower Lecithin
A great plant-based option that is vegan, gluten free and does not use any artificial sweeteners. Be aware that vegetable glycerin may cause headaches and nausea in some.
3. RXBar– 180-210 calories, 12 g protein, 22-24g Carb, 3-6g Fiber, 13-18g Sugar (from dates and chocolate)
Ingredients: Egg whites, Dates, Cashews, Almonds, Chocolate, Cocoa, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt
Very simple ingredients and minimal. All the sugar is derived naturally from dates. With that being said, these bars should also be eaten in moderation.
4. RawR Bars – 290 calories, 17g fat, 20 g protein, 14g Carb, 9g sugar, 3g fiber
Ingredients: Organic Pea Protein, Natural Almond Butter, Organic Coconut Nectar, Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, Organic Dark Chocolate Chips (Organic Unsweetened Chocolate, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Ground Flaxseed, Organic Unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses, Himalayan Pink Sea Salt.
A plant-based bar made with organic ingredients. These bars are high in protein, but do have a bit more added sugar. So, be cautious and mindful of using these too often. For those that want real sugar vs stevia or monkfruit, this is a good option in moderation.
5. IQ BAR-160 calories, 10g fat, 12g Protein, 12g Carb, 1g Sugar, 9g fiber
Ingredients: Nuts (Peanuts, Almonds), Prebiotic Blend (Tapioca Fiber, Vegetable Fiber), Protein Blend (Pea Protein Crisps [Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch], Pea Protein), Natural Flavors, Peanut Flour, Coconut Oil, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa, Cocoa Butter, Sea Salt, Lion’s Mane, Stevia Plant Extract, Vitamin E
Last but not least, a great bar with clean ingredients and a powerhouse to support brain health, Lion’s Mane. Lion’s mane is a type of mushroom shown to support brain health by reducing risk of Cognitive disease (1) as well as fight cancer (2) and reduce anxiety (3). These bars are balanced in protein, carbs and fiber and are very low in sugar since the main source used is stevia.
Honorable Mentions
A few others that while they may have a few more ingredients than preferred, mixing it up is always an option. Additionally, sugar alcohols like erythritol (while not artificial) can sometimes cause bloating and gas when consumed in large amounts.
- Quest Bar Chocolate Peanut Butter – 210 calories, 20g protein, 22g CHO, 0g sugar, 7g sugar alcohols, 11g fiber
Ingredients: Protein blend (milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate), peanuts, soluble corn fiber, water, erythritol, unsweetened chocolate, natural flavors, cocoa butter. Contains less than 2% of the following: Sodium caseinate, sea salt, steviol glycosides (stevia), sunflower lecithin. Contains: Milk, peanuts.
** Some Quest bars contain artificial sweeteners, so make sure to check your labels
- ZING Bars – 220 calories, 10 g protein, 22g CHO 8g sugar 5g fiber
Created by a dietitian and are 100% plant based as well as gluten free, dairy free and soy free.
Ingredients: almonds (almond butter, almond protein, almond pieces, almond flour), prebiotic tapioca syrup, dark chocolate (sugar,* chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, sunflower lecithin), brown rice protein, coconut, prebiotic tapioca fiber, agave nectar,* brown rice crisps* (brown rice,* brown rice syrup,* salt), natural coconut flavor* (with other natural flavors), rice syrup and grape juice concentrate, sea salt, monk fruit concentrate,* fiber blend (rice and oat fiber). *organic. contains: tree nuts (coconut, almonds)
DIY Protein Bars
While buying bars on the go can be convenient, if you have a bit more time, perhaps try to make your own. You can make a large batch and freeze for later, making it a quick, on the go option as well!
Super Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
1 cup All-Natural Peanut Butter or almond Butter
2/3 cup Vanilla Protein Powder
2 tbsp Coconut Flour
3 oz Dark Chocolate
1/2 tsp Sea Salt (flaky)
- Line a baking dish or rectangular container with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter, protein powder, and coconut flour together until smooth.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish or container. Press it down with a silicone spatula or your hands.
- Add the chocolate to a bowl and microwave on high for 30 to 45-second intervals until melted. Stir with a spoon to fully combine.
- Pour the chocolate over top and gently spread with a spoon or spatula to all corners. Top with flaky sea salt.
- Refrigerate for one hour or until the chocolate has hardened and the peanut butter bar has set.
Cut into squares and enjoy!
Whatever protein/snack bar you choose, look for quality ingredients, low added sugars, no artificial sweeteners, and at least 10 grams of protein to help keep you fueled and energized!
***Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with any of these companies in any way.
